⛰️ Mountain Residencies

AiR Green

Noresund, Norway

AiR Green offers a specialized residency program tailored for artists working with textile media at Søndre Green farm, beautifully situated at the foot of the Norefjell mountain range in Krødsherad Municipality, Norway. The program aims to provide space for focused work, support the development and dissemination of textile art, and foster connections between artists from around the world who explore textile expressions. AiR Green offers two residency formats: the regular program for four artists over one month sharing kitchen and bathroom facilities in the main farmhouse, and Studio AiR Green for a single artist during a two-month stay with private facilities. The historic 18th-century main farmhouse (350m²) was fully renovated in 2013/14 and includes 3 double bedrooms, 3 single bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, multiple living rooms, and spacious kitchen/dining areas. Artists have access to multiple work spaces including a 40m² workroom in the main house, a 40m² wet room in the brewing house, and the 'Høytørka' gallery space (3m×16m×4.8m high). The farm features traditional textile equipment including vertical looms, flat looms, and Spælsau sheep providing wool for spinning and dyeing, plus natural herbs and plants for textile dyeing.

Aomori Contemporary Art Center (ACAC)

Aomori, Japan

The Aomori Contemporary Art Center (ACAC) offers an Artist-in-Residence program titled "SPINNING SCAPES" that invites contemporary artists, curators, and researchers to engage deeply with their practices in a supportive and fully equipped environment. Located at the foothills of the Hakkoda Mountains in Aomori, Japan, the ACAC is celebrated for its distinctive architecture by ANDO Tadao and its integration into the lush local landscape, offering a unique space for creative exploration and public engagement. Residents at ACAC can participate in various lengths of stays, from two weeks to up to six two-week terms, depending on their project needs. The program is flexible, allowing for both in-person and remote participation. It encourages artists to immerse themselves in the local community and environment to inspire new "scapes" or perspectives within their work, whether through exhibitions, performances, or other collaborative projects. Key features include access to specialized workshops (engraving, silkscreen, ceramics, digital production, construction), a personal studio space, communal living areas, and exhibition opportunities. The residency is supported by a dedicated team, offering logistical, technical, and community engagement assistance, aimed at fostering meaningful cultural exchanges and expanding the artists' practices and visibility.

Arquetopia Foundation

Puebla, Mexico

Arquetopia Foundation is an award-winning, multiple award-winning nonprofit arts and academic foundation with a significant social scope and global presence across three continents. Now in its 14th year, Arquetopia is dedicated to promoting critical thinking, a commitment to ethics, and a sense of reciprocity in artistic practices. It offers customized, professional International Artist-in-Residence Programs that are renowned worldwide for their comprehensive, research-based approach, focusing on social creativity. Arquetopia's residency programs, situated in Puebla and Oaxaca in Mexico, Cusco in Peru, and Naples in Italy, are tailored to provide a vast array of learning opportunities. These programs are distinguished for their commitment to sustainability in the arts, fostering research and critical thinking in creative processes. Arquetopia's model challenges preconceived notions of history and place, encouraging artists to engage with local epistemologies and resistance models as sources of knowledge and inspiration for social change. The foundation emphasizes ethical artistic practices, acknowledging the problematic ties of artist residencies to colonization, imperialism, and the extractive practices of tourism. Established in 2009 as an autonomous and registered Mexican nonprofit, Arquetopia is self-sustaining, unaffiliated with any political, religious, or war industrial entities, relying on its self-generated funding model. The foundation was co-founded by Mexican visual artist and curator Francisco Guevara and North American classical musician Chris Davis. Originally started as an educational art center for inner-city youth, it quickly evolved to offer international artist residencies. Arquetopia stands out for its array of unique residency programs with substantial mentoring, focused on professional artists, writers, academics, and researchers. It provides a generous and culturally diverse space, hosting artists and scholars from all over the world, aiming to enrich the global arts community with a multiplicity of perspectives.

Arroscia

Pieve di Teco, Italy

The Arroscia Residency is an artist-run, nonprofit residency program located in the serene Arroscia Valley of Liguria, Italy. Designed for emerging and mid-career artists, it offers 3–8 week residencies twice per year, supporting studio-based practices across a wide range of visual disciplines. Artists receive fully funded support including round-trip airfare, shared housing, studio space, exhibition opportunities, and a weekly stipend for materials and living expenses. The residency is deeply rooted in community engagement, encouraging artist talks, mentoring, or public installations as part of the experience. Studio space is located in a renovated medieval palazzo in the historic town of Pieve di Teco, while housing is provided nearby. Each residency concludes with a gallery exhibition, and one selected piece remains in the residency’s permanent collection. Artists from around the world are welcome to apply via an open call hosted on the Café platform. With its blend of cultural immersion, professional support, and stunning natural surroundings, Arroscia offers artists a chance to focus, reflect, and grow in a quiet yet vibrant artistic environment.

Bibliothek Andreas Züst

Oberegg, Switzerland

The Bibliothek Andreas Züst offers four studio residency stipends in autumn 2024, providing a four-week stay for national and international cultural workers across various disciplines, including visual arts, literature, new media, music, theatre, design, architecture, film, and photography. Located at the Alpenhof panorama lodge in Oberegg, Switzerland, the residency includes free accommodations, meals, studio access, and travel costs. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects related to the library or its sub-areas, fostering research and creative work that explores cultural diversity.

Breck Create

Breckenridge, Colorado, United States

Breck Create’s Artist-in-Residence program offers regional, national, and international artists across all disciplines an opportunity to focus on process rather than product while engaging meaningfully with the local community. The program provides a live/work studio in the Breckenridge Arts District for 2-4 months, nestled in downtown Breckenridge, Colorado. Artists are expected to facilitate open studios, teach lessons, and collaborate with community partners. The residency includes a biweekly stipend of $600 and access to classes and open studios. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and artists with teaching experience are prioritized.

Can Serrat

El Bruc (near Barcelona), Spain

Can Serrat, located in El Bruc, near the Montserrat mountain range, offers a year-round artist residency in a beautifully renovated Catalan farmhouse. Established in 1989, it is one of the oldest international residency programs in Spain. The residency welcomes artists from various disciplines, providing a space for creative processes, research, and dialogue without the pressure of producing a final work. Can Serrat offers partially funded residency options for artists through the cultural department of Generalitat de Catalunya. The residency includes shared studio spaces, basic food provisions, and organized activities within the vibrant natural and cultural surroundings of Montserrat.

Centro Internazionale di Scultura (CIS)

Peccia, Switzerland

Centro Internazionale di Scultura (CIS), based in Peccia, Ticino, Switzerland, offers a distinguished residency program for artists specializing in three-dimensional art. The Foundation awards five scholarships annually, running from May to October, providing artists with a comprehensive working environment. Each artist receives an atelier and access to workshops equipped for stone, wood, and metalworking, including a 20-tonne crane. Residents stay in the Casa degli Artisti, which offers individual living units with private facilities and shared kitchen amenities. The program emphasizes marble from Peccia, though artists can work with various materials. The residency fosters artistic exchange through visits and meetings with other artists and art professionals, enhancing networking and professional growth. Artists are expected to leave a piece of work for the Foundation, participate in events, and cover their living and travel costs.

Chokechaka Golden Bridge

Calca (Huaran), Cusco, Peru

Chokechaka Golden Bridge Artist Residency is a multidisciplinary program located in Huaran, in the heart of Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas. It offers a serene and culturally rich environment for artists, scholars, and creatives seeking both personal focus and community engagement. The residency is designed to support independent work while fostering deep connections with local traditions, landscapes, and communities. Residents are invited to explore their practice through dialogue with local artisans, scholars, and elders, and are encouraged to collaborate across cultural and creative disciplines. The facility accommodates up to eight participants at a time, providing private bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, shared workspaces, and access to both indoor and outdoor creative areas. A dedicated private studio is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and all guests have access to a communal kitchen, living spaces, and a ceremonial maloca for gatherings or performances. The residency supports immersive cultural experiences through visits to Inca heritage sites, traditional weaving and ceramics workshops, and excursions into the Andean landscape. Chokechaka emphasizes sustainability, cultural preservation, and intercultural exchange as core values. Founded by artists with roots in both Peru and the United States, it serves as a creative bridge between ancestral knowledge and contemporary practice. The program is open year-round to international applicants and welcomes those who value creativity, reflection, and shared learning in an awe-inspiring mountain setting.

Dorland Mountain Arts

Temecula, California, United States

Dorland Mountain Arts is a long-standing, self-directed residency located on 300 acres in the serene Temecula Valley Wine Country of Southern California. For over 40 years, the organization has supported visual artists, writers, musicians, composers, and photographers with a tranquil and inspiring natural setting. The residency offers private cottages equipped with workspaces, kitchens, and access to amenities like two pianos, walking trails, a reflection pond, and community gathering spaces. Dorland fosters a balance between solitude for creative focus and optional community engagement through casual meet-and-greets and local events. Artists are encouraged to immerse themselves in the peaceful landscape of the Palomar Mountain range, with stunning valley views and abundant wildlife. Residencies are open to artists aged 21 and older and are designed to nurture artistic growth in an uninterrupted environment. In addition to studio time, participants may take part in open studios, exhibitions, and collaborative events with the local community. Dorland is a respected retreat that values artistic merit, solitude, and connection to nature as vital components of the creative process.

falía* (falia)

Lozio, Italy

falía* Artists in Residence program is located in the Lozio Valley, part of the picturesque Camonica Valley in Northern Italy. This residency aims to fuse contemporary art with local traditions and cultural heritage, providing artists the opportunity to create site-specific artworks that resonate with the region's identity. Established by the cultural organization, Associazione falía*, the residency invites individual artists and collectives from around the globe to immerse themselves in the local community and landscape. The program offers free accommodation and workspace, fostering a creative environment where artists can produce work inspired by and integrated with the locality's natural and historical contexts. The residency encourages interaction with local cultural institutions like the Casa-Museo della Gente di Lozio, an ethnographic museum, enhancing the artists' engagement with the area's mountain and peasant culture. By requiring the final artworks to be donated to the Municipality of Lozio, falía* ensures that these contributions enrich the community and complement its cultural legacy.

Flathead Lake Biological Station (FLBS)

Polson, Montana, United States

The Open AIR Artist-in-Residence program at the Flathead Lake Biological Station (FLBS) offers a unique opportunity for artists to engage deeply with the ecological and cultural aspects of the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, located within the University of Montana system. This residency emphasizes research, sustainability, and ecology, allowing artists to work alongside world-class scientists and researchers in a setting that fosters educational and professional development. The program provides artists with rustic cabin accommodations, studio space, and access to the FLBS's extensive resources including canoes, kayaks, biological collections, and a wood/tool shop. Artists can participate in community engagement activities such as presentations and workshops, and are provided with a modest daily stipend. The residency supports a broad range of artistic disciplines and strongly encourages applications from Indigenous artists and other underrepresented groups. It's a place-based initiative that connects artists with unique sites in Montana, enhancing their practice through site-specific interactions and community involvement.

Gullkistan

Laugarvatn, Iceland

Gullkistan, Center for Creativity, is an artist residency located in Laugarvatn, Iceland, offering a peaceful and inspiring environment surrounded by mountains, lakes, and Icelandic nature. It provides accommodation in two buildings with single and double rooms, as well as shared studio spaces equipped with tools, materials, and Wi-Fi. The residency is open year-round and welcomes artists, scholars, and international student groups seeking solitude and creative focus. Residents can engage in mutual activities, and family accommodations can sometimes be arranged. Gullkistan encourages independent work but also hosts workshops, seminars, and open studios. The residency is easily accessible, located 120 km from Keflavik International Airport, 70 km from Reykjavík, and 40 km from Selfoss. Fees vary depending on accommodation type, and while Gullkistan does not offer direct financial support, artists are encouraged to seek funding from their home countries. With its breathtaking natural surroundings and strong creative community, Gullkistan is an ideal space for deep artistic exploration.

Hambidge

Rabun Gap, Georgia, United States

The Hambidge Center, nestled on 600 acres in the North Georgia mountains, stands as the oldest residency program in the Southeast, committed to supporting the creative process across a wide array of disciplines. It welcomes visual artists, writers, dancers, musicians, ceramicists, chefs, scientists, and arts administrators, offering two-week to eight-week self-directed residencies. Each resident is provided with a private studio and living space, complemented by communal vegetarian meals four nights a week. This environment fosters solitude and interaction among a small group of residents, encouraging both deep work and meaningful exchange. Financial aid and Distinguished Fellowships are available to support artists during their stay. The Center’s setting offers a connection with nature, featuring trails, waterfalls, and a rich biodiversity that can inspire and rejuvenate any creative endeavor. Facilities include specialized equipment for various practices, such as the Antinori Pottery Studio and a Steinway grand piano, ensuring that artists have the resources they need. Accessibility is considered, with ADA-compliant studios available, though the natural, unpaved terrain may limit mobility for some.

Mirante Xique-Xique (MXX)

Igatu, Brazil

Mirante Xique-Xique (MXX) is a non-profit artist-led residency located in the mountains of the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. The residency welcomes researchers and practitioners across various fields such as arts, architecture, cuisine, and environmental studies, including those involved in community practices, agroecology, permaculture, and bioconstruction. The aim is to provide an immersive environment conducive to research and creative projects, while promoting the authenticity and sustainability of the Chapada Diamantina region. MXX supports the maintenance of a community library, cultural activities, and environmental education for the Igatu community, emphasizing the safeguarding of both architectural and intangible heritage. MXX offers a unique opportunity for researchers and artists to engage deeply with the environment and community of the Chapada Diamantina, fostering meaningful connections and promoting sustainable practices.

National Park Arts Foundation (NPAF)

Various, United States

The National Park Arts Foundation (NPAF) offers a unique series of Artist in Residency programs within the National Parks of the United States. Partnering with the National Park Service and its affiliates, NPAF aims to bring artists of the highest caliber into the heart of the country's most stunning natural landscapes. With over 300 programs produced and more than 120 artists supported, the foundation emphasizes the deep connection between the arts and the natural world, allowing artists to draw inspiration from and work within the parks' serene and awe-inspiring settings. The residency programs are designed to be relevant to both the participating artists and the broader art world, ensuring the experiences and works produced during the residencies resonate beyond the parks. Artists from various disciplines, including visual arts, music, literature, and performance, are provided with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to focus on their projects amidst the parks' breathtaking sceneries, free from the distractions of everyday life. Active in parks across the nation, NPAF's current Artist in Residency programs for 2023 and 2024 are accessible through a selection process detailed on their website. These residencies offer artists a supportive environment to explore new ideas, develop their practice, and engage with the parks' unique landscapes and cultural histories.

Oaklands Artist in Residence (OaklandsAiR)

Wellington, South Africa

Oaklands Artist in Residence is an artist-run program located in the mountains, 90km from Cape Town, aimed at providing a unique and focused environment for creative projects. Situated on a farm on the edge of the Limietberg World Heritage Site, OaklandsAiR offers residencies to fine artists, landscape architects, writers, and researchers across various fields. The residency provides a rustic yet well-equipped setting, with self-catering cottages and studios in a converted foaling barn. The program is open to international and South African artists, offering a serene rural environment conducive to creativity and exploration. Artists benefit from access to natural materials, scenic hiking trails, and a supportive network of local artists and galleries. OaklandsAiR facilitates various activities, including site-specific projects, outdoor excursions, and final open studio events. The residency also includes a farm-to-table restaurant, Vygie, which operates on the premises, enhancing the communal experience.

Penland School of Craft

Penland, North Carolina, United States

Penland School of Craft, situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, is a prestigious national center for craft education. The Resident Artist Program, established in the 1960s, offers professional craft artists a unique opportunity to advance their practice through either a one-year project-based residency or a three-year career transition residency. The program supports artists with free housing, studio space, and utilities, fostering an environment of intense creative focus and community engagement. Residents interact with the larger Penland community, participating in informal and formal studio visits, workshops, and exhibitions. The program emphasizes diversity and innovation, with residents selected through a competitive national and international application process.

Rural Residency for Contemporary Art (RUC)

Near Valcamonica valley, Italy

Rural Residency for Contemporary Art (RUC) is located in the stunning Valcamonica valley of the Italian Alps, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its rich history and prehistoric rock engravings. The residency provides artists, musicians, and writers from around the world with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the tranquil and inspiring rural landscape. RUC encourages deep connections with the natural environment and local cultural heritage through workshops, excursions, and community interactions. The facilities include restored country houses and villas, offering comfortable accommodations and dedicated studio spaces. Artists can engage in both solitary creative activities and collaborative projects, culminating in a pop-up art exhibition. The program emphasizes minimal environmental impact and sustainable living, aligning with the residency's ethos of simplicity and freedom.

Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts

Salzburg, Austria

The Internationale Sommerakademie für bildende Kunst Salzburg (Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts), founded in 1953 by Oskar Kokoschka, is Europe’s oldest summer academy of fine arts. Located in Salzburg, Austria, it offers intensive workshops lasting from one to four weeks, led by renowned artists, curators, and critics from around the world. The Academy operates primarily at Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Untersberg quarry in Fürstenbrunn, with additional temporary spaces in Salzburg. It aims to provide a unique environment for participants to engage deeply with art production, curatorial practice, and art writing, fostering critical reflection, artistic production, and networking opportunities. It provides a dynamic and inspiring environment for artists to develop their practice, engage with peers, and gain insights from leading figures in the art world. Through its diverse course offerings and vibrant cultural programs, it continues to be a significant platform for artistic growth and professional development.

Sierra Madre

Durango, Mexico

Sierra Madre International Artist Residency is a creative haven located in the tranquil setting of Durango, Mexico, welcoming both emerging and established artists from around the world. The residency provides an inspiring retreat with luxury accommodations designed to support visual artists, writers, performers, and filmmakers. Its serene environment includes a private garden, pool, and shared studios, fostering an atmosphere ideal for artistic development and reflection. Artists benefit from a flexible program that allows for both solitary work and collaborative opportunities. The residency offers a curated experience, with group excursions, cultural outings, and local art scene engagement. A dedicated team provides logistical, technical, and professional support, including project feedback and the opportunity to present work in a group exhibition. The residency emphasizes community-building and the decentralization of Mexico’s creative landscape by connecting artists to the vibrant cultural heritage of Durango. With stays ranging from 2 to 4 weeks, the program creates a balance between focused studio time and meaningful cultural exchange.

The Nordic Artists’ Centre Dale (NKD)

Dale i Sunnfjord, Norway

The Nordic Artists’ Centre Dale (NKD) is an internationally recognized art residency located in Dale i Sunnfjord, Norway, established in 1998. Supported by the Arts Council Norway, NKD offers opportunities for artists, designers, architects, and curators to develop their practice, engage with the local and international art scene, and collaborate with peers. The center provides residents with a monthly stipend, individual studios, and separate living accommodations, all located on-site. NKD is renowned for its beautiful and tranquil setting in the Norwegian fjords, offering five individual cabins and two apartments as housing for residents. The studios are large, 50 square meters each, and equipped with natural light, high ceilings, and necessary facilities for various artistic practices. Applications are accepted through annual open calls, typically announced in January and February. NKD also promotes open studios, workshops, and seminars to engage both residents and the local community.

Valley of the Possible

Curacautín, Netherlands

Valley of the Possible is an independent cultural non-profit offering artist residencies, research programs, and interdisciplinary exchanges in Cañon del Blanco, Chile, and at Gagel Farm, Netherlands. The organization provides space for artists, scientists, and cultural practitioners to engage with ecology, sustainability, indigenous knowledge, and non-Western narratives through self-directed and research-based residencies. Participants explore themes such as land stewardship, regenerative agriculture, and human-nature relationships while developing their creative practice. At its Chilean base, residents stay in a rustic lodge in the Andean rainforest, with direct access to hot springs, native forests, and volcanic landscapes. The Netherlands location at Gagel Farm provides a structured research residency with a stipend, public engagement opportunities, and mentorship. The organization has also facilitated past programs, such as Black Earth, which explored indigenous ecological knowledge and food systems, and Exploration of a Multiform Space, a project merging experimental architecture and vernacular design. Through public events, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaborations, Valley of the Possible fosters alternative cultural models and community-led ecological regeneration, creating a unique space for reflection, research, and artistic production.

WilderHaven

Chengdu, China

WilderHaven is an artist-founded initiative based in Southwest China that fosters cross-cultural dialogue and interdisciplinary creation in deeply immersive rural settings. Founded in 2024, it offers artist and writer residencies in the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou, engaging directly with the region’s diverse landscapes and minority cultures. The residency supports visual artists, writers, musicians, performers, and designers through flexible programs designed to bridge global practices with local traditions. With small cohorts and a balance of solitude and community, WilderHaven emphasizes experimentation, collaboration, and critical inquiry. Participants have access to studios, cultural excursions, and local engagement opportunities with ethnic Yi and Lisú communities. Group and pop-up exhibitions offer residents ways to showcase work locally and in major Chinese cities. Family-friendly accommodations, bilingual support, and curated events make it accessible to a broad range of creatives. The program is primarily self-funded but offers merit-based stipends to reduce participation costs for selected artists.