The Artist-In-Residence program at the Convento offers artists, designers, authors, musicians and scientists, from all over the world, the opportunity to work in an atmosphere of supportive creativity.

Artists can use the Convento as a retreat but the energy generated at the Convento owes itself often to the mixture of people working in different fields coming together, in order to experiment, investigate, develop ideas and create work.

Except some parts of the nature preserve most of the Convento’s grounds can be used for work without being disturbed and are exclusive to our residents. The grounds (40 hectares) include: bio-dynamic and botanical garden, woodlands, rivers, bird sanctuary and a restored originally Islamic irrigation system with an ancient well.

The Convento is located just on the outskirts of the Villa of Mértola, Portugal. While the nearby town (a 12 minutes walk) can provide necessities of food and supplies (shops, restaurants, cafes, bars), the Convento is a quiet place for individuals to “re-tune”, reflect and concentrate.

Often you will see other artists from around the world, but in some cases it is a place of solitary study, where you can get lost in the ancient ruins and the luscious surrounding gardens of a once functioning monastery.

STAY INFORMATION
The self-sufficient artist studio’s are converted monastery horse stables and overlook the beautiful gardens and hills beyond. We try to provide for each resident’s individual needs and there are communal work spaces, a library, verandas, patios and courtyards in which to work and leisure. Residencies can be one week to two months. Longer periods can be agreed on.

THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM OFFERS THESE BASICS:
– Individual studio space with kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area.
– Exclusive access to the grounds of the Convento to study, work, exhibit and leisure.
– Communal in and outdoor workshop with basic facilities, tools and materials.
– Regular shared meals with fresh produce from our gardens.
– Convento’s side aisle chapel for personal meditative practices or exercising.
– Laundry service.
– WIFI in the studio.
(please read our FAQ’s page for more information on the A.I.R. facilities)

WHO CAN APPLY?
Artists, designers, authors, musicians and scientists or those working in related cultural or scientific fields. While preference will be given to professionals or those who have proven experience in their fields, we also are willing to consider proposals from enthusiastic creatives, scholars or craftspersons who will undertake original projects or works during their stay.

Residents are chosen on the basis of proven experience, artistic criteria, originality and affinity with what the Convento has to offer.

RATES (vary depending on season)
1 week: one person €350
1 week: two persons (shared studio) €525
2 weeks: one person €450
2 weeks: two persons (shared studio) €675
3 weeks: one person €550
3 weeks: two persons (shared studio) €825
4 weeks: one person €650
4 weeks: two persons (shared studio) €975

You don’t need to plan your residency in exact weeks and you can choose your own arrival and departure days (depending on availability). We have a minimum stay of seven nights but you can also stay ten nights for example, in that case we only charge you for those ten nights.

Longer stays and additional work spaces can be agreed on.

PAYMENT
Payment can only be done in advance by bank transfer.