FAQ: What exactly do you do?

some simple answers to some simple questions

What can you do for me?

. . . . If I'm an artist?

Congratulations! So are we! We started Caravansarai to fill our own personal needs of space, time and networking opportunities. We like to share these opportunities with fellow artists and creative people:

» rentable short-term living quarters
» artist-in-residency programs
» studio and production space
» a small venue for performance/exhibition/presentation
» a place to hang out with other artists and get inspired, agitated, relaxed. We have a library/meeting
room and a terrace for just this purpose. Come drink tea with us (although gifts of regional liquor are
always welcome!)
» networking opportunities with other artists from around the world
» field trips
» resources and advice for researching and developing artworks and projects in Istanbul
» development of collaborative projects
» organize, publicize, and provide space for you to teach workshops or organise
community events

Note: We are not an NGO. If you need partners or funding for your art, we can help you find them.

. . . . If I'm an NGO or non-profit organization?

We are often contacted by international organizations who are developing, or plan to develop, art and cultural projects in Istanbul. These organizations can be arts organizations, but more often than not they are from the social and political sector. For you we can:

» manage your entire project from conception to completion

» find and provide contact information for appropriate artists and cultural operators in Istanbul
» consult on the arts and cultural environment in Istanbul
» provide working and meeting space for project personnel
» provide accommodation and host project personnel if space is available
» organize, publicize and provide space for you to hold workshops, meetings, presentations or
community events

. . . . If I'm a company?

If you are a company, you may find that you sometimes need to break your routine, learn something new, or make contacts outside of your industry.

For these things we can provide:

» rentable Meeting Space
» circus skills workshops for team building
» contacts and project ideas for the arts and cultural sector
» ideas / production of corporate parties or events
» links to performers or artists for corporate events
» visibility - sponsor one of our events or projects
» new ideas - sponsor an artist-in-resident - artists, architects and other creative thinkers can bring
new inspiration to your projects

. . . . If I'm a researcher, academic, theorist, activist, or otherwise creative thinker?

If you are any of these, we are impressed! We are mostly interested in getting you involved with collaborative projects with artists and other thinkers from Turkey and around the world.

Some contexts in which we see you are:

» NOKTA project
» teaching workshops or organizing community events
» using our workspace for discussions, lectures, exchange

What do you sell?

Nothing but space and services

How are you different from other art spaces?

Although there are other great studio and residency programs for artists in Istanbul, we differ from them in a number of ways:

» This is an artist-run space, we understand what artists and creative people need to be inspired.
We have ourselves participated in residency programs and collaborative projects and feel more like
artists than administrators.

» We have experience executing our own art and performance projects in Istanbul and all the details
that go along with it.

» We already have a good reputation among people in the arts, performance and cultural worlds
inside and outside of Istanbul.

» We have an entrepreneurial mindset as a result of being American artists

» We offer a more intimate and personalized approach to your project.

» Our building is dedicated to production, living and gathering, for all creative types.

» We are fantastic hosts.

How do you get paid?

Since Caravansarai is a Turkish LLC, and not an NGO, we operate on a profit motive. The bulk of our income comes from the rental of space in our building. In addition to this income source, we are also paid as project managers and producers. In general, organizations or companies who contract with us to provide a service will be paying us from their project budgets. For instance, if a particular NGO receives a grant to do a project in Turkey, part of their budget would go to us for facilitating the project in Istanbul. This works in the same way that an organization might budget for a designer to create a website for their project.

Our income-generating activities will hopefully provide enough profit (and free time) to allow us to self-produce our own in-house collaborative projects, such as the Caravan Residency and other events.

What if I don't have any money?

We can help you find some if you are interested in working with Caravansarai or in our building. Our meeting space will house resources not only for researching projects, but also how to fund these projects. Even better, as a frequented hub, our space can expose you to creative ideas and people who can help.

How can I get involved?

Let us know about your work and ideas, send us an email or even better, come visit us. Perhaps we can work together on something in the future.

You may also teach a workshop, a good way to share your skills and make some extra money.