For the past 10 years, I’ve had the unique opportunity to curate and lead creative programs at the "Kamchatka" residency camp, working with participants of all ages. This residency welcomes both children and adults, offering an immersive environment where creativity, collaboration, and experimentation are central to the experience.

As a curator and facilitator, my role involves guiding participants through daily artistic projects that include:

1. Theatrical productions

2. Documentary or narrative filmmaking

3. Music video production

4. Creating contemporary art installations

5. Street performances

Each day in the residency is dedicated to the development and completion of one creative project, which requires my support in several key areas. I work to inspire participants and help them generate original ideas, often the most challenging part of the process. Since the residency is only a week long and participants typically don’t know one another at the start, I focus on fostering strong communication within the group, helping them navigate team dynamics, and teaching them how to delegate roles effectively within the projects.

In some instances, I guide participants more directly, offering them a conceptual framework for the project, and allowing them the freedom to develop details such as costumes or staging. My aim is to quickly assess each resident’s talents and strengths so I can position them in roles where they either excel or are challenged to step outside their comfort zone. This helps them grow creatively and personally, offering a unique opportunity to overcome emotional or psychological barriers.

As a curator and mentor, I also take on the roles of director, creative lead, or technical guide, sharing my expertise in fields like cinematography, design, and performance. Often, I introduce participants to international creative solutions and methodologies, using global references to help them think differently and inspire fresh perspectives.

Outside of the structured projects, I also conduct improvisation sessions, including body movement, dance, and drawing workshops. These exercises focus on letting go of familiar patterns and embracing total creative freedom, helping participants explore new ways of expressing themselves without the fear of failure.

Why This Experience Is Important

For me, this residency is a place where experimentation thrives. Every day offers the chance to try something new, pushing both myself and the participants to explore unfamiliar roles. By completing a project in just one day, we learn to approach challenges with simplicity and clarity, avoiding overthinking and embracing practical, precise solutions.

Moreover, working at "Kamchatka" has sharpened my ability to read people, communicate effectively, and manage a diverse range of individuals. Whether I'm working with children or adults, I’ve learned to tailor my approach to inspire each person, challenge them creatively, and guide them toward success.

This decade of experience has shaped my approach as a curator, allowing me to blend leadership, creativity, and mentorship in an environment where innovation and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do.