Residencies became very relevant today. When people experienced isolation from most everyday life things we found new possibilities here. For creators, artists this is a way to get a break, take it easy, set their minds, find inspiration, increase productivity. In the meantime for the region‘s organizations, private persons, business – its potential new fields of development.

This topic will be brought up by the Euroregion „Country of Lakes“ Office in our region by implementing artists residencies project „Art Catcher. Development of the Creative Residencies Network in the Country of Lakes Region“ during the next two years. We raise ambitious but reachable goals – to try on and start actively develop the creative residencies in the „Country of Lakes“ region, places where artists of different fields could create, live, meet with the local community, nature, possibilities and discover what is the most valuable and beautiful in the surroundings. All will benefit – artists will find peace, inspiration, spaces to create, local community – a possibility to meet interesting people, to see how is born professional art, and the hosts of the residencies will raise funding, gain new experiences in professional cultural activities, possess professional artworks for their spaces.

The Office with the Central project management agency signed the project implementation agreement this week. The project is partly financed by the European Economic Area funds.

A wide range of activities awits you during the project where will be involved not only project partners: Ignalina Region Museum, Visaginas Cultural Center, Local Lore Museum of Utena, Cultural Center Dusetos Art Gallery, Public organization „Kuri veikia“ which is a part of „Miško uostas“ community residing in Švenčionėliai, „Westfjords“ residency in Iceland developed by Simbahöllin Café, but also professional Lithuanian and foreign artists, residents of the region, representatives of the cultural, business, municipality organizations, youth. The project will provide possibilities to meet with different fields professional artists, art exhibitions, workshops, lectures, open-door events in residencies, and publicity events.

We encourage you to follow our news, hashtags #menugaudykle and #artcatcher in the project partners' social media, participate, get involved in the project activities. And who knows maybe together we can achieve that after few years Country of Lakes would be the mecca of art residencies.