Foundation Shtatëmbëdhjetë (17)

Shtatëmbëdhjetë (17) has originally emerged as a collaborative duo and is based on the need to re-functionalise alternative public spaces. It was officially established as a foundation in 2018 with headquarters in Prishtina, Kosovo. Shtatëmbëdhjetë (17) envisions citizens of all genders participating and contributing meaningfully and freely to the community and public life through culture, education and activism. Its mission is to foster positive change in society by empowering communities through cultural activism.

Shtatëmbëdhjetë's primary programs revolve around arts and education, cultural activism, and space, aligning with its strategic priorities: public space, art activism, policymaking, advocacy, environment, gender, community development, cooperation, democracy, and human rights.

The foundation manages two vital spaces, Galeria 17 and Rezidenca 17, that serve as hubs for education, activism, and bold artistic exploration.

Rezidenca 17

Rezidenca 17 is a dynamic residency programme conducted throughout the year, inviting artists, theorists, writers, scientists, and researchers to participate through open calls. It encompasses local thematic residencies, international exchange residencies, and access to well-equipped working studios. These artistic residencies foster connections among creators, stimulate research, and support the process of tailoring or executing a new creative project or idea.

Rezidenca 17 offers distinct studio spaces, each tailored to diverse creative needs. This program actively supports the development of research and experimental concepts, art production, public talks and presentations, in open-studio format. Applications for the use of studios are accepted year-round. Rezidenca 17 serves as a versatile venue for workshops, performances, and various activities.

In late 2021, Shtatëmbëdhjetë formalised a Memorandum of Understanding with the Municipality of Pristina, securing the management for a five-year term of the house of Hivzi Sulejmani in Taslixhe. This historic location is an added hub for Shtatëmbëdhjetë’s artistic residency programme, evolving into a nurturing environment for artists, researchers, scientists, and writers, a platform for exchange and not only. The programme builds upon existing collaborations and cultivates new ones, ensuring an exciting future for artistic, creative, and scientific, exploration in space.