Organizer Information
La Baldi Residency is an independent artist-run initiative located in the historic village of Montegiovi, Tuscany. Established within a 15th-century "palazzo," the residency is dedicated to providing artists, researchers, and writers with a contemplative environment that fosters deep focus and creative experimentation. The organization is rooted in the belief that the rural landscape and historical architectural contexts offer a unique "blank space" for contemporary thought. La Baldi functions as a cultural bridge, connecting international practitioners with the slow pace and rich traditions of the Italian countryside, while encouraging a dialogue between heritage and modern artistic practice.
Title & Description
Cultivate Residency 2026
"Cultivate" is a specialized residency program designed to support practitioners whose work explores the intersections of ecology, agriculture, landscape, and the human relationship with the natural world. In 2026, the program invites participants to spend four to eight weeks in Montegiovi to develop research or site-specific projects. The theme "Cultivate" is interpreted both literally and metaphorically—referring to the physical act of working with the land (vineyards, olive groves, and local biodiversity) and the intellectual act of nurturing new ideas. Residents are encouraged to engage with the local community’s traditional ecological knowledge and the specific geological features of the Monte Amiata region.
Categories
The residency is highly interdisciplinary and accepts applications in the following mediums:
- Visual Arts: Installation, Land Art, Sculpture, and Photography.
- Literary Arts: Creative writing, poetry, and research-based essays.
- Performance & Sound: Site-specific performance and environmental soundscapes.
- Curation & Research: Scholars focusing on environmental humanities or rural sociology.
- Culinary Arts: Research into traditional food systems and fermentation.
Eligibility
La Baldi is an International residency program. Eligibility criteria include:
- Experience: Open to both emerging and established artists and researchers.
- Alignment: Applicants must demonstrate a clear connection between their practice and the "Cultivate" theme (land, nature, or heritage).
- Community Mindset: Applicants should be comfortable living in a shared, communal environment in a small, remote village.
- Language: A working knowledge of English is required for group interactions; knowledge of Italian is a plus but not mandatory.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Living Space: Private bedroom in the historic 15th-century residence.
- Studio Facilities: Access to shared indoor studio spaces and vast "open-air" studios (the local landscape).
- Networking: Organized visits to local agricultural sites, historic archives, and meetings with local experts.
- Public Engagement: Opportunity to host an open studio, lecture, or workshop at the end of the residency.
- Residency Support: A letter of invitation is provided to help selected artists secure external funding or grants from their home countries.
Application Fee
There is a modest application fee of €25 to cover the administrative costs of the independent jury review process.
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to submit a single PDF document containing:
- Project Proposal: A detailed description (500–800 words) of the work you intend to "cultivate" during your stay.
- Portfolio: Up to 10 images of recent work or 3 writing samples (links to video/audio are accepted).
- Artist Statement: A brief summary of your overall practice (300 words).
- CV/Resume: Highlighting relevant exhibitions, residencies, or publications.
- Preferred Dates: Indication of your preferred residency block (Spring or Autumn sessions).
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 2 January 2026
- Notification Date: 30 April 2026
- Residency Sessions:
- Session I (Spring): May – June 2026
- Session II (Autumn): September – October 2026
Location
Montegiovi (Castel del Piano), Tuscany, Italy
Additional Details
La Baldi is a "slow" residency. Due to the remote nature of the village, participants should be prepared for a quiet, rural lifestyle. While the residency provides housing and studio space, it is currently a self-funded residency (unless otherwise noted for specific scholarship years), meaning residents are responsible for their own travel, food, and material costs. The village has basic amenities, but a car is recommended for those wishing to explore the wider Tuscan region during their stay.