Short Description
Hotel ACTUAL will be a small-scale contemporary art fair in which the rooms of a hotel will be transformed into exhibition spaces, each one intervened by selected artists. The initiative, part of the ACTUAL 2026 Festival programme, aims to open a space for the art market in La Rioja by offering a platform where artistic creation, innovation, and dialogue with the public converge.
The main objective is to bring high-level art closer to the local community, showcasing both national and
international artists, as well as local creators who, despite having external recognition, remain under-appreciated in their immediate surroundings.
The fair seeks to educate visitors to view art not only as an aesthetic experience, but also as an accessible option for decoration, a potential investment, and a source of daily enjoyment. Hotel ACTUAL will function as a pop-up gallery where artists will exhibit and sell their work directly to the public, without intermediaries or fees. Attendees will have the opportunity to acquire original artworks while directly supporting the artists.
During the event, all participating artists will stay at the hotel itself, fostering human and creative exchange with visitors. By sharing the same space, artists and visitors will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, exchange ideas, and reflect together. Additionally, artist talks and panel discussions will be organised to provide opportunities for artists to share their projects and professional journeys.
As a visual complement, individual panels displaying a representative artwork from each artist will be installed in the hotel atrium. Looping videos will also be projected, showing the artists at work, preparing their installations, or in their usual creative environments, offering the public a closer look into their artistic universe.
A total of 12 rooms will be reserved, with two rooms per artist, resulting in six participating artists. Of these, one will be directly appointed by the Directorate-General for Culture as the resident artist. The remaining five will be selected by the jury from the submitted applications and will be assigned to the following profiles:
1 international artist.
2 artists from Spain.
1 artist from La Rioja.
1 student from ESDIR (Escuela Superior de Diseño de La Rioja).
Eligibility
Individual artists of any nationality who work within the field of contemporary visual arts. All disciplines are welcome (painting, sculpture, installation, photography, video, etc.). Applicants must be over 18 years old. Five artist profiles will be selected: – 1 international artist – 2 national artists (based in Spain) – 1 artist based in La Rioja – 1 student currently enrolled at ESDIR (Design School of La Rioja) Residency is the main criterion for assigning categories.
Submission Requirements
- Application dossier (Annex I), containing:
– A brief professional biography (maximum 3 pages), including website and social media links, awards, and exhibition history.
– Conceptual description of the proposed project.
– List of proposed artworks: title, technique, dimensions, and prices. Images must be included. If the
work is still in progress, preliminary sketches should be attached.
– Justification of a diverse and accessible price range.
– Details on specific technical requirements for installation, including lighting, electricity, or other support needs.
- Exhibition space plan (Annex II): a schematic drawing of the hotel room showing the layout, main elements, and technical requirements.
- Press dossier (optional): may be submitted as a separate PDF file.
How to Apply
Artists interested in participating must submit their application to: hotelactualfestival@gmail.com
Program Benefits & Awards
- Free exhibition space: one hotel room assigned to the artist for the artistic intervention during the event.
- Individual accommodation in a double room with breakfast included for the full duration of the stay.
- Production grant of €800.
- Travel support, when the artist’s usual place of residence is more than 120 km from Logroño.
- Free parking at the hotel.
- Per diem allowance during the event.
- Assistance with transportation of artworks.
- Technical support during installation and dismantling, as well as for receiving and handling artworks
shipments. - Advice and support in lighting and adapting the exhibition space.
Artist Participation & Commitments
Selected artists agree to:
- Participate in the official opening of the event.
- Be present in their exhibition space during public opening hours.
- Take part in parallel activities such as round tables or panel discussions.
- Provide the necessary materials for the event catalogue and promotional video wall.
- Collaborate in programming public presentations or artist talks.
- Authorise the organisation to photograph and film their exhibition space for promotional and documentary purposes.
- Issue invoices and manage the sale of their works in accordance with current legislation, and provide any required administrative documentation.
Entry Fee
None
Location
La Rioja, Spain
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 1 July 2025
Website Link: https://actualfestival.com/hotel-actual/
