Researcher / Scholar 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.

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.

Arte Studio Ginestrelle and the Writing Residency are located in Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its historical and artistic significance in Italy. Established in 2018, the residency programs are designed to immerse artists, writers, designers, and architects in the rich cultural tapestry of Assisi. The residencies offer private accommodation in the city center, close to key historical sites and surrounded by the natural beauty of Mt. Subasio. Artists are encouraged to engage deeply with the local environment and historical settings, fostering an eco-friendly lifestyle. Each residency includes a private studio and the opportunity to participate in annual exhibitions and publications, highlighting the collaborative and cultural output of its participants.

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.

Bogliasco Foundation

Bogliasco, Italy

The Bogliasco Foundation offers fellowships to exceptional individuals who are developing significant new work in the arts and humanities. Located in Bogliasco, Italy, these fellowships are open to scholars and artists of any nationality, age, race, religion, or gender, provided they are not students in a degree-granting program. The Foundation values applicants who demonstrate they would thrive in an intimate, international, multilingual community of scholars and artists. Fellowships are awarded twice annually and provide recipients with a one-month residency at the Foundation's Study Center in Italy. During their stay, fellows are provided with accommodation, meals, and a personal workspace, fostering an environment conducive to creative and scholarly work.

UNIDEE

Biella, Italy

The UNIDEE Residency Program, hosted by Cittadellarte - Fondazione Pistoletto, is dedicated to fostering social transformation through artistic practices. Established by Michelangelo Pistoletto in 1999, it offers various residencies that emphasize collaboration, sustainability, and interdisciplinary research. UNIDEE’s programs, which include one-week intensive modules, research residencies, and connective residencies, support artists, curators, and cultural practitioners globally. Participants engage in artistic projects exploring themes like ecological sustainability, social responsibility, and community involvement, working closely with mentors, researchers, and local experts. The residencies are designed to provide inspiration, motivation, and the tools necessary for art-driven social change, emphasizing the role of artists as “artivators” who bridge the gap between artistic expression and real-world social impact. The residency also engages partners like A.M. Qattan Foundation, Yarat Contemporary Art Center, and Inlaks Foundation to support emerging artists worldwide.