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.
The working space is enormous. You can work in Necia and also in Pocoapoco , really for me it was a great experience , I worked very hard the time I was there I am very pleased with my artistic growth. Beware of spicy food. Oaxaca is a very powerful place energetically, take advantage of the experience and tour the city as much as you can.
Benefits: Highlight key positive outcomes for your art and career. Scholarship, I was able to focus on my creative process and at the end there was an open studio to show the results. Challenges: Although we didn't necessarily have to produce something, I decided to do it. The challenge was to do it in a month. Practical tips: it is a good residency to do pre-production, you can focus on your artistic practice without so many pressures. Costs versus profits: active participation in the dynamics of the residency (an open and collaborative approach seems essential to me. If your profile is more closed, it could be difficult) vs paid production and presentation of results.