Villa Lena is a multidisciplinary artistic residency dedicated to fostering collaboration across disciplines, located in the wild Tuscan countryside, but only an hour away from the beautiful and culturally rich cities of Florence and Pisa. Our 2025 program invites contemporary artists working in art, music, film, literature, fashion and other creative disciplines of all backgrounds and nationalities to participate in a four/five-week residency.
In 2025, Villa Lena Foundation places a special emphasis on projects that explore the intersection of art, sustainability and rurality, fostering a dialogue and exploration of creative solutions that concern rural environments and communities. We particularly welcome Creative Contributors who can lead workshops centered around sustainable innovation and practices.
The call for projects is open until June 7.
The Villa Lena Foundation is a not for profit organization dedicated to supporting international contemporary artists working in art, music, film, literature, fashion and other creative disciplines and fostering opportunities for multi-disciplinary dialogue. Located in the wild Tuscan countryside, but only an hour away from the beautiful and culturally rich cities of Florence and Pisa, the Villa Lena Estate sits within five hundred hectares of woodland, rugged hills, olive groves and vineyards. Collaboration and exchange are founding principles of the Foundation, and artists will take part in weekly events, open studios and live in the Villa at the center of the estate.
Types of Residences:
- Artists in residency (AIR) join the programme between 4-5 weeks from April to October, artist fee applies.
- Creative Contributors (CC) join the programme between 4-5 weeks from April to October. CCs offer three workshops a week for guests of the hotel. Workshops are developed with the foundation team and are connected to the artists’ practice. Artist fee waived for this exchange.
- There is one Villa Lena Foundation Scholarship awarded each year, through which an artist will have the residency fee waived. The Scholarship is aimed at artists from low socio-economic backgrounds, artists at risk and those fleeing conflict.
- The Foundation also facilitates family residencies, focusing on parents negotiating a work and childcare balance. There is a section on the form to share details for this. Artists fees apply.
- We welcome collaborative practices (of up to 2 artists) to apply using a joint application. If you are a couple and would like to apply please do so separately and link applications when prompted. Artist fees apply.
Villa Lena Foundation actively encourages applications from artists and researchers whose practices are grounded in sustainability and rurality, fostering a dialogue and exploration of creative solutions that concerns rural environments and communities, particularly welcoming Creative Contributors who can lead workshops centered around sustainable innovation and practices.
A letter of recommendation is highly recommended as part of the application. We strongly encourage applicants to attach a recommendation letter as it may significantly impact the selection process.
There is a fee of 21 euros for submitting an application. The application fee is designed to cover administrative tasks and software expenses associated with processing applications.
VLF OFFERS SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS:
Accommodation: All artists are assigned a private bedroom in the 19th-century Villa, which is at the heart of the estate. The majority of rooms have en-suite bathroom facilities though some residents will share a bathroom.
Studio space: Artists are given studio space either in rooms within the Villa or in buildings that are a 5 minute walk away. The size and location of the studios varies depending on each artists’ needs and practice. All artists have access to our ceramics studio and wood workshop.
Meals: The Villa Lena restaurant operates a farm-to-table concept, with fresh ingredients grown in the vegetable gardens or sourced from local producers. Artists are provided with breakfast and dinner five times a week, either at the San Michele restaurant, where artists have an allocated table, or at the Villa.
Co-Living: Residency, Hotel, Restaurant and Events: Villa Lena is a multifaceted place that brings together many projects and people working side by side and in collaboration. As an artist in residence onsite you will be part of the Villa Lena project and will interact with the different elements and people who make everything possible.
Apply link: https://villalena.submit.com//show/8
Website link: https://www.villa-lena.org/
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