Design Residencies in Italy

American Academy in Rome

Rome, Italy

The American Academy in Rome, established in 1894, is a leading international center fostering interdisciplinary exchange among artists, writers, and scholars. Each year, the Academy awards the Rome Prize and Italian Fellowship through a competitive application and jury process to support innovative work in the arts and humanities. Winners are invited to Rome for a period conducive to intellectual and artistic freedom, engagement, and growth. The residency offers a unique opportunity to interact with an evolving international community, enriched by the historical and cultural backdrop of Rome. This tradition enhances the creative output of residents by providing a vibrant atmosphere that encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences within a global context.

BASE

Milan, Italy

BASE Milano is a dynamic cultural hub located in Milan, Italy, dedicated to fostering innovative artistic and cultural practices. As an independent, non-profit organization, BASE Milano serves as a creative platform where artists, designers, curators, and researchers from diverse disciplines can collaborate and explore new ideas. The organization is particularly focused on projects that engage with social, political, and environmental issues, promoting experimentation and alternative ways of thinking. BASE Milano offers a variety of programs, including residencies, workshops, and public events, all designed to encourage dialogue and exchange among creative professionals. The organization is committed to inclusivity and sustainability, providing resources such as studio space, accommodation, and technical support to artists in residence. Through its residencies and other initiatives, BASE Milano aims to create a vibrant community where innovative cultural projects can thrive and contribute to broader societal conversations.

BASIS Vinschgau-Venosta

Schlanders, Italy

The BASIS Vinschgau-Venosta residency program invites artists, researchers, designers, technologists, and hybrid practitioners to collaborate and experiment in the unique cultural and ecological environment of South Tyrol, Italy. Located in the repurposed Caserma Druso military barracks in Schlanders, it offers 24/7 access to studios, production spaces, and workrooms for stays of 2–24 weeks (recommended 1–4 months), fostering a vibrant community through shared dinners, open studios, and exhibitions. The program supports interdisciplinary work at the intersection of economy, culture, education, and social development in this rural Alpine setting.

Beatilla Art Studio Eco Design Holiday Farm

Corta Barco, Italy

Beatilla is an Art Eco Design Holiday Farm residency program established in that combines artistic practice with ecological sustainability. The program hosts painters and artists in a working farm environment near Mantua, Italy, offering access to studio space, nature immersion, and connections to local culture through activities like cycling, farm observation, and visits to historical cities.

La Casa Etruria

Latera, Italy

La Casa Etruria is an international artist residency offering immersive cultural and creative experiences in two unique locations within the beautiful Tuscia Viterbese region of Italy. Nestled between the Tyrrhenian Sea, Umbria, and Tuscany, the residency provides a serene and inspiring environment for artists, writers, photographers, and researchers. The program emphasizes independent work and exploration, allowing artists to immerse themselves in the historical and natural surroundings, while enjoying private accommodations either in a medieval village house in Latera or in a casale within the Monte Rufeno Nature Reserve. Both locations offer comfortable living spaces, access to outdoor working areas, and opportunities for exhibitions at local museums. La Casa Etruria fosters creativity through cross-cultural exchanges and a peaceful setting where residents can pursue their projects free from distractions.

Marea Art Project

Praiano, Italy

Marea Art Project is an artist residency program, research center, and curatorial platform on the UNESCO-listed Amalfi Coast in Italy, primarily in Praiano and Positano, aimed at professionals in visual arts, performing arts, architecture, design, fashion, sciences, and more. It revives the historical tradition of artistic inspiration in the area by converting ancient cliffside houses into spaces for contemporary research, experimentation, and creation inspired by the sea and local culture. Residencies typically run from November to March, with invitation-based participation or open calls like Culture Moves Europe for specific 21-day periods.

Tenuta Valente

Capaccio Paestum, Italy

Tenuta Valente is an artist residency program located in Capaccio Paestum, Southern Italy, welcoming professional artists of all disciplines to work in a peaceful, bucolic environment surrounded by the Cilentan Coast countryside. The program offers residents private en-suite bedrooms and access to a shared 200-square-metre studio to develop individual projects and engage with the local art community.

Villa Filanda Antonini

Villorba, Italy

Villa Filanda Antonini (VFA) is an artist residency located in a former silk mill in Villorba, near Treviso, Italy, established in by Giulio Feltrin and his family. The residency hosts multidisciplinary artists and professionals, investigating the material and immaterial specificities of northeastern Italy through contemporary art practices.

Villa Medici

Roma, Italy

Villa Medici, home to the French Academy in Rome since 1803, is a prestigious artist residency on Rome's Pincian Hill that welcomes nearly 70 artists, writers, researchers, and craftspeople annually for stays ranging from two weeks to one year. The program provides fully funded residencies with accommodation, studio space, and support across diverse disciplines including visual arts, music, literature, architecture, and crafts, maintaining a legacy of artistic patronage dating back to 1666.

Villa Medici – French Academy in Rome

Rome, Italy

The Villa Medici – French Academy in Rome offers residency programs for French-speaking artists, authors, researchers, and craftsmen from all disciplines, including visual arts, music, literature, architecture, design, choreography, theater, and art history. Residents and fellows stay for periods ranging from two weeks to one year, focusing on creative, experimental, or research projects in a supportive environment that encourages interdisciplinary exchanges. Fellows receive grants covering room, board, workspace, and artistic support, while shorter residencies are available through thematic calls and partnerships.