Interdisciplinary Residencies in Mexico

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.

Casa Wabi Fundación (Foundation)

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Fundación Casa Wabi, a non-profit civil association, promotes contemporary art and local community engagement through its residency program. Located in three locations: Puerto Escondido, Mexico City, and Tokyo, Casa Wabi operates under the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, finding beauty in simplicity and imperfection. Founded by Mexican artist Bosco Sodi, the headquarters in Puerto Escondido is designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The residency program invites national and international artists to engage in multidisciplinary exchanges that foster social development. Residents benefit from comprehensive facilities, including studios, exhibition galleries, and communal spaces, to inspire creativity and community interaction.

Flux\Lab (FluxLab)

Mérida, Mexico

Flux\Lab Itzimná is an international artist residency founded by Flux/Lab, a contemporary art gallery and curatorial platform based in Mérida, Mexico. The residency invites global artists to engage with the cultural and historical fabric of the Yucatán Peninsula through immersive research, creation, and dialogue. Hosted in the historic district of Itzimná, the program offers private accommodations and dedicated studio space, providing an ideal environment for focused artistic exploration. Artists interact with Mayan communities, archaeologists, and cultural researchers, enriching their projects with deep local insight. This program supports practices across various disciplines and fosters connections between traditional and contemporary approaches. Operating with a philosophy of critical thought and cultural reflection, Flux\Lab seeks artists who push boundaries and reflect the complexities of our times. Residents benefit from a balance of independence and structured cultural programming. Founded in 2014, Flux\Lab champions meaningful artistic inquiry rooted in social and aesthetic responsibility.

Lagos / Momentum

Mexico City, Mexico

The LAGOS and MOMENTUM Artist-in-Residence Program emerges from a visionary partnership between LAGOS in Mexico City and MOMENTUM in Berlin. This collaboration seeks to enrich the global artistic community by fostering cross-cultural exchanges, promoting innovation in contemporary art, and providing a platform for artistic exploration in two of the world’s most vibrant cultural capitals. Aimed at artists and curators from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, the residency supports site-specific engagement with the unique sociopolitical and cultural contexts of each city. A distinctive feature of this residency is its collaboration with the Palm Foundation, which introduces a pioneering opportunity for artists to integrate digital art practices, specifically through the creation and exhibition of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). This initiative not only offers financial support to partially offset residency costs but also provides technical assistance for artists venturing into the digital realm. Participants are encouraged to explore NFTs within their projects, thereby broadening their creative and professional horizons. The program champions a holistic approach to artistic development, facilitating personal guidance, curatorial support, and extensive networking opportunities. Participants are immersed in the rich art scenes of Berlin and Mexico City, benefitting from tailored visits to galleries, museums, and studios, alongside exclusive invitations to art events. The residencies culminate in public presentations, enabling artists to showcase their processes and outcomes to a wider audience.

Pocoapoco

Oaxaca de Juarez, Mexico

Pocoapoco is a cultural organization located in Oaxaca de Juarez, Mexico, focusing on contemporary arts, social practices, and transcultural dialogues. The organization hosts five-week residencies from September to April each year, fostering an environment for international and local residents to think, work, discuss, and collaborate. The program emphasizes shared practice and dialogue, aiming to support and connect individuals, ideas, and practices to catalyze social discourse, understanding, and change. Residents at Pocoapoco include a diverse range of participants, from social and cultural workers to fine artists, musicians, and researchers, all engaging in active observation, dialogue, and reflection. The residency facilitates interdisciplinary exchange through meals, conversations, and presentations. Additionally, the program integrates activities that require residents to share their work with the public, enhancing both personal and communal development. The residency program is bilingual (English and Spanish) and includes housing, meals, workspace access, and photo documentation of work. It uniquely operates on a sliding scale fee system to accommodate a wide range of financial capabilities, reflecting Pocoapoco’s commitment to accessibility and community engagement.

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.

SOMA

Mexico City, Mexico

SOMA is a renowned Mexico City-based non-profit organization, established by artists to foster cultural exchange and art education. Since its inception, SOMA has been dedicated to stimulating dialogue among artists and cultural agents from diverse generations and nationalities. This is achieved through a comprehensive array of programs including courses, workshops, practical sessions, critique sessions, and public events. At the heart of SOMA’s philosophy is the encouragement of experimental and formative artistic practices. The organization provides a platform for artists willing to rethink and challenge their working processes. Critical thinking about individual and collaborative projects, within a peer group, plays a fundamental role in SOMA’s educational approach. The organization questions existing structures and fields where artistic practices occur, aiming to cultivate a community of practice that shares knowledge and responsibilities. SOMA's educational programs are characterized by their bilingual nature, being conducted in both Spanish and English, accommodating a diverse international cohort. The organization's commitment to interdisciplinary approaches is evident in its varied curriculum, which addresses the intersections of art with other fields of knowledge and society. Located in the vibrant context of Mexico City, SOMA acts as a social laboratory, where the centuries-old multicultural metropolis becomes a central space for personal and collective artistic exploration. Through its focus on collaboration, SOMA not only nurtures the development of its participants' artistic endeavors but also contributes to the broader cultural landscape, making it a pivotal institution in the global art community.