Artist Residency Program

Located in Antigua Guatemala, our residency hosts and collaborates with international & local creatives across all fields to support research, creation and connection surrounding creative work, process and purpose.

Our residency program is focused on your creative practice and all the ways it can manifest. Residents work independently on proposed project or research. Residents are also encouraged to do nothing, to rest, to not work. To read one book slowly. Or go into town everyday and explore. You may design this residency however you wish.

Program Details

  • Each resident creates their own daily work schedule depending on their project and work/research methods. Residents are given the option to teach a workshop or give an artist talk to the local community. We host 1 to 3 artists at the same time and our staff and residents meet weekly for discussions and creative or cultural activities.

    We assist with project development and research as much as possible to create a platform of support, conversation, reflection, and accessibility. That said, all needs and desires are not always possible to access and the primary work does lie in the hands of resident themselves.

    Applicants are encouraged to consider how their work or research will interact with Guatemala and it’s vast history, and to reflect on their role and responsibility as a maker learning and creating in a new country.

    Past Residents

  • Two-week Independent Residencies include:

    • Initial call one month prior to residency 

    • Housing at La Casita with private room, amenities and WIFI

    • 2 individual desks and large co-work area

    • Breakfast Tuesday to Thursday, with coffee / tea station available daily

    • Assistance with research development, local introductions and navigation of the area 

    • Weekly resident meetings to share work, engage in conversation and learn from each other 

    • Portfolio-making workshop, focused on structure, sequencing and presentation

    • Once your portfolio is complete, a 45-minute portfolio review with a local curator, scheduled based on their availability during your residency dates

    • Guatemala City Airport pick-up and transportation upon arrival & departure ~ only for residency dates

  • 2027 - 2 week residency program - $1050 USD.

    50% deposit due upon confirmation of attendance. Final deposit will be due two months before the program.

    Deposits are non-refundable and residency dates are non-transferable.

    We are happy to work with accepted residents on varying payments plans. Contact projects@graciagt.com for more information.

    *GRACIA programs are rooted in ethical and reciprocal cultural exchange. We work closely with artisans, teachers, and collaborators, and program fees help ensure their knowledge and time are fairly compensated, while supporting the infrastructure that makes these experiences possible.

  • SPRING / SUMMER 2027

    JANUARY - MAY 2027
    Open
    Closes: August, 2027

    SUMMER 2027

    JUNE - AUGUST 2027
    Independent Residencies will not take place on these months to accommodate textile intensive residencies.

    WINTER 2027

    SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2027
    Opens: April, 2027
    Closes: May, 2027

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Create in Guatemala

OPEN CALL OPEN

Past AIR Experience

  • Emily Zadoretzky

    My residency at GRACIA was an incredible, impactful experience that continues to inspire my creative practice and my life as a whole. I fell in love with Antigua. Every day, I woke up inspired to explore and create. From ancient Maya artifacts and traditional weaving and textile arts to Colonial-era ruins to contemporary cuisine, the city is this incredible blend of history and modernity. I had ample time to both explore the city and delve into studio work and Mafer was an excellent guide and resource. In my practice I explore the utilization of natural materials, dyes and pigments and really enjoyed taking both of Mafer's course offerings in that area. During my residency, I was exploring the materiality of corn/maiz as well as its cultural and political influences within Guatemalan culture and that of my own country, the US. Mafer put me in contact with a local restaurant owner that partners with growers of heirloom corn varieties and we were able to meet over delicious heirloom tortillas and have a very informative and meaningful chat. I am so grateful to Mafer for this experience!

  • Kiara Aileen Machado

    I will forever be grateful for having the opportunity of returning to Guate after so long. Not just returning to my mothers birthplace for leisure but the reason being that it was for an artist residency means so much to me. Seeing a procession in person passing through the callesitas de Antigua is much different than solely hearing stories from my family archived through their memories. Post residency there is so much to reflect on and I am currently working on a new body of work in reflection to my short time in Guatemala.

  • Brooke Adams

    GRACIA was an inspiring time of colors, community, and creating new art forms. Mafer, GRACIA founder and local host, connected me to people and places to help fuel my creative process in Guatemala. I loved wandering Antigua, being inspired by the colors and textures and people. Just as inspiring was the casita with wonderful light and space for creating. I came back from GRACIA ready to create and share my inspiration with others. I would return in a heart beat.

  • Daniela Monzi

    GRACIA is the perfect residency for any and all creative folks. Whether you're a seasoned vet with a degree in art or someone who dabbles on the side, it's truly a magical experience for anyone who does anything creative. Being in Antigua was so inspiring; there are so many colors, textures, lovely people, incredible food and epic landscapes. Thank you so much Mafer, for creating such a wonderful residency!