The foundation currently uses seven habitable houses which have been renovated on a very basic level to provide artists with accommodation and studio space. In recent years, the foundation has improved the general facilities by reinstating old water lines, rebuilding parts of the road network, constructing an outdoor kitchen and setting up a solar-powered electrical charging station. However, because of its remote location and being off-grid, the conditions remain very basic. 

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Accommodation and studio space
Group programmes held in summer can accommodate up to twelve people in private rooms, furnished with a desk, chair, carpet, mattress, pillow and sheets. These rooms can be used as accommodation and studio space. Additional workspace can be arranged. There is ample space in the village, e.g. empty houses, fields and forests. If you ask, we will happily show you what is available and help you find a spot that meets your requirements. 

 

The self-directed, individual programme can accommodate up to two artists or artist duos at a time, or an artist group of up to six people (spread over two houses). Each artist (or artist duo/group) participating in the current pilot (see Residencies: Apply) will have their own private house including a bedroom (bed, wood-fired heater, carpet, chair), studio (desk, wood-fired heater or fireplace, chair), small kitchen (small gas stove and/or wood-fired stove/fireplace, cold water tap, sink) and outdoor toilet + wood-fired shower. They may also use the large outdoor communal kitchen.
 
Local transport
We drive up and down between Tsarino and Chorbadzhjisko regularly to buy groceries and materials. A ride or shop order is available upon request and according to availability. There are also two bicycles in Tsarino that can be used in agreement with the staff. Cycling to Chorbadzhijsko takes about 40 minutes, walking takes 1,5 hours. It is a scenic route over a dirt road running through forests and fields. 
 
Available equipment
There is a basic set of hand tools (think of shuffles, wheelbarrows, hammers, saws) that can be borrowed on request. In Chorbadzhijsko there is a black and white printer, blacksmith, seamstress, sawmill, and various hardware shops.
 
Electricity
There is no electricity network in Tsarino. We do have a solar charger providing electricity to charge laptops, batteries, phones, and other electronic devices up to 500W. It consists of a solar panel, inverter, and battery. It features a power hub with universal sockets (EU, US and UK plugs all work) and fast-charging USB ports. The battery, once full, can be taken out and carried around. We also have an extra car battery which can be charged. The amount of energy produced by the solar charger depends on the weather and can therefore not be guaranteed. However, in summer laptops generally charge within an hour. 
 
Internet
The mobile phone and 3G network is available in Tsarino, although the signal strength varies depending on time, location and weather conditions. Wifi is available in the neighbouring village of Chorbadzhjisko.
 
Kitchen
We mainly cook over open fires in our communal, roofed outdoor kitchen. Meals can be enjoyed in the shade on the adjacent terrace, or indoors when it is raining or cold. We expect the participants of our group programmes to actively contribute to the organisation of daily needs, such as cooking dinner and washing up. We make use of a rota to fairly divide the daily tasks.
 
Water
There are three outdoor sinks with drinking water coming from a spring higher up the mountain: inside the kitchen, next to the kitchen and next to the showers.
 
Toilets and showers
There are three outdoor composting toilets and two cold showers. It is also possible to use the wood-fired boiler to warm up water for up to 6 showers. In summer we make use of a solar heating system which can heat up water depending on the weather.

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Firepit

In the evenings everyone is welcome to sit around the campfire in our cosy firepit and have a drink from the mobile Tsar Bar.