Clear goals

Reviews 6 January 2026 Table of contents Very Private Gallery veryprivategallery.com Influence: Strong digital presence Address: Calle Ruiz Palacios 23, 28039 Madrid Duration: 30 days (possibly extended) Number of artists: 1 Price: Daily follow up with the team is free, 1200 EUR for the rent (900 for students). "Business of Art" Residency Unlike traditional residencies that focus solely on a creative approach, VPG positions itself as a career accelerator. The idea of the residency is that a selected artist pays the rent, and an intensive one-on-one consulting on marketing, branding, and sales strategy is offered. Run by Greg Bot (MFA) and Mo Li (iMBA, PhD), the site combines housing, a studio, and an exhibition space. Clear goals Each artist sets one concrete, challenging goal during the program. Options include: An exhibition on site or with a partner in Madrid, a public talk with a recognized expert in a related field, a practical deliverable, such as an artist website. You can find details and the application page here. Casa Encendida lacasaencendida.es Address: Ronda de Valencia, 2, 28012 Madrid. Influence: Strong presence on IG @lacasaencendida, active on TikTok; key cultural reference in Madrid. Focus: Art performance and contemporary social discourse. Size: 2–4 projects. Funded: Grant of 3000 EUR, no fee to apply. There's the "Generación program" for projects that require a significant budget with an amount of 12000 EUR. A Social Hub La Casa Encendida is the opposite of a static exhibition space. Housed in a Neo-Mudéjar building, it functions as a social center dedicated to contemporary art engaged in environmentalism and solidarity. The residency program often collaborates with other major institutions (MACBA in Barcelona and Museo Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo, for example). This setup favors artists whose work engages with the public or social issues, offering them a vibrant, high-traffic context. There's also a popular rooftop and courtyard, which ensures a non-specialist audience sees your work. Visibility Over Focus The program's greatest strength is also its main drawback: the lack of seclusion. Artists seeking uninterrupted studio time may find the environment overstimulating. But then they shouldn't focus on performance art, eh! The program also requires a resident who is autonomous and capable of navigating a complex institutional schedule. Casa de Velazquez casadevelazquez.org Influence: High institutional influence Address: Calle Paul Guinard 3, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid Size: 33 rooms, 17 artist studios (Note: Capacity is significantly reduced from September 2025 due to 18-month renovations). Price: - Members (Artists/Researchers): Fully funded. Recent calls indicate a monthly stipend of approximately €3,600 for the main residency program (Académie de France à Madrid), as well as accommodation and workspace. (source) - Guests: Paid by the resident. Rates are €65/night (single) or €85/night (double). For stays longer than 7 nights, rates drop to €48/€68 per night. Maximum stay is 10 nights. (source) The oldest art residency in Spain Founded in 1928, Casa de Velázquez remains a pillar of French culture in Spain. It operates under the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, serving as both a center for artistic creation (Académie de France à Madrid) and a center for scientific research (École des Hautes Études Hispaniques et Ibériques). Its mission is to support creative work and research related to the arts, languages, literature, and societies of Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and the Maghreb. And the Casa does it well, with a paradisiacal area featuring a swimming pool and approximately 150,000 books in the library. The academic world of contemporary art Personal opinion: Are you a scholar or artist with a rigorous, research-based practice? Do you speak French? If so, this is one of the most prestigious and financially generous residencies available. Unlike in the past, the main "Member" residency is now open to applicants of all nationalities, not just EU citizens. However, the application process remains highly competitive, with strict autumn deadlines (typically October/November). While the institutional reputation is stellar, it does not guarantee immediate commercial success. If your primary goal is to connect with art dealers and sell work in the commercial market, this academic environment may not yield the results you want. Hablarenarte hablarenarte.com Non-profit association active since 2002, registered with the Community of Madrid and its residency is operating since 2010. Address: Residency space (Planta Alta): Plaza de Santa Cruz, 3 (4th floor), 28012 Madrid Influence: Maintains public channels on X, Facebook, YouTube, and are most successful on Instagram Funding: Varies by program. The current call offers a €7,000 research grant per residency. (source) The residency program Works across visual and performing arts, with a clear emphasis on education, cultural mediation, and research. Hosts residencies in their place "Planta Alta" and adds public-facing activity (talks, workshops, meetings) to share research processes. It offers courses in cultural management and curatorship. Uses open calls and direct invitations, depending on the project. For Ph.D. candidates Our opinion: It covers a diverse range of art forms, including visual arts, performing arts, as well as curatorial research and educational programs. Consequently, if you are a PhD candidate specialising in art education, you may want to check them out. Otherwise, if you are a self-taught painter who aspires to achieve commercial success, I am sure there is a better fit for you elsewhere. The Hug Platform hugculture.org Influence: Little influence due to its size 1 resident = 500€/month (one resident project)2 residents = 700€/month (collective project) Duration: 1 to 3 months (From September to June) Maximum Number of artists resident at one time: 2 Address: Calle Calasparra, 10-12