Creative Residency at O Castro Art Village

Geodesic domes at O Castro Art Village

Geodesic domes at O Castro Art Village

Studio loft during an art exhibit

Studio loft during an art exhibit

Walks in the vineyards of Ribeira Sacra

Walks in the vineyards of Ribeira Sacra

Studio loft and the view of the valley O Castro Art Village

Studio loft and the view of the valley O Castro Art Village

Interior of a geodesic dome O Castro Art Village

Interior of a geodesic dome O Castro Art Village

Creative Residency at O Castro Art Village

O Saviñao, Lugo, Spain

O Castro Art Village is a rural creative residency in Galicia, Spain, located in the forested hills and river valleys of Ribeira Sacra. The residency supports artists, filmmakers, writers, researchers, and independent creatives seeking focused time in a calm, comfortable, and inspiring environment.

Residents stay in sustainably built geodesic domes designed for year-round use, offering privacy, warmth in winter, coolness in summer, and views of either the Miño River valley or the surrounding oak forest. A shared studio loft provides desks, a large work table, lounge areas, and projection facilities, while outdoor spaces and the landscape itself invite site-responsive work.

Community life centers around a communal kitchen where residents cook individually or together, often sharing meals, conversations, and ideas. Optional mentorship with filmmaker Davoud Gerami is available for residents working in film, visual, sound, and regenerative arts, drawing on over 25 years of professional experience.

O Castro emphasises sustainability, low-impact living, and deep engagement with place. Residencies balance solitude and exchange, supporting meaningful research, experimentation, and creative production within a thoughtful rural context.

Contact

O Castro de Mourelos 86
Mourelos (San Xulian)
27548 O Saviñao Lugo
Spain

Year Founded
2024
Context
Rural
Remote
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Embedded industry or for-profit business
Embedded in an arts or cultural organization (including theater + gallery)
Embedded in historic site
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Thematic
Community-engaged
Curriculum
Research
Experiential
Residency Length
2 weeks - 2 months
Languages
English
Spanish
Portuguese
Other
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
7
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
May apply as a team
Discipline
Acting
Animation
Architecture
Art Conservation
Art Education
Art History
Augmented Reality
Biology
Blacksmithing
Book Arts
Ceramics/Clay Arts/Pottery
Choreography
Computing
Costume/Fashion Design
Criticism
Dance
Digital Fabrication
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Ecology
Electronic Arts
Environmental Arts
Environmentalism/Conservation
Fiction
Film
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Glass Arts
Graphic Design
History
Illustration
Industrial Design
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Journalism
Landscape Architecture
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
Mathematics
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
New Genres
Nonfiction
Opera
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Philosophy
Photography
Playwriting
Poetry
Printmaking
Public Art
Science
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Social Practice
Sound Art
Storytelling
Symphony
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Theater
Translation
TV + Radio
Urban Planning/Design
Virtual Reality
Visual Arts
Woodworking
Writing
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
Residents granted leave during residency
Spouses/partners allowed for full stay (non-collaborators)
Children allowed for full stay
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Emerging
Mid-career
Established
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Other
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Opportunity to travel
Immersion in new culture and/context
Unstructured time
Research support
Access to studio space to create new work
Access to training on new artistic techniques and/or apprenticeship
Inspiration from natural environment
Inspiration from cultural context
Professional development support and/or trainings
Opportunities to develop relationships with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities to collaborate with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities to collaborate with other artists/residents
Opportunities to develop relationships with other artists/residents
Opportunities for work with the local community
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Additional Eligibility Information

There are no formal eligibility requirements. O Castro Art Village is open to artists, filmmakers, writers, researchers, and independent creatives at different stages of their practice. We review each application individually and focus on the quality of the proposal, the applicant’s intentions, and their compatibility with the rhythm and values of the place. If your application feels like a good fit, we will contact you to continue the conversation.

Artist Stipend
0
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

Daily Rates (for Paid Residencies only)

 

Long stays (30 days or more)

  • Private dome: €45 per day/person
    (Comfortable private space with full amenities)
  • Couples in a private dome: €30 per day/person
    (Shared private dome for two adults)
  • Shared dome: €20 per day/person
    (Shared dome accommodation for three creatives)
  • Family (up to 4) in a private dome: €15 per day/person
    (Generous private dome space for family stays — up to four people)

Short stays (14 to 30 days)

  • Private dome: €65 per day/person
    (Comfortable private space with full amenities)
  • Couples in a private dome: €45 per day/person
    (Shared private dome for two adults)
  • Shared dome: €40 per day/person
    (Shared dome accommodation for three creatives)
  • Family (up to 4) in a private dome: €35 per day/person
    (Generous private dome space for family stays — up to four people)
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support
Application Fee
0
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
Communication before arrival to discuss accommodations, medical conditions, or other health needs
Orientation upon arrival
Contact information and available accommodations for programs, events, and campus
Full description of accessibility on campus
Captions for videos
Links to resources, effective practices, grievance procedures, etc.
High contrast, clear way-finding and/or signage
Accessible seating
Staff/volunteer reading information aloud
Staff/volunteer giving directions
Staff/volunteer providing guidance to help locate facilities or activities
Contact info for accessibility requests for event/programming
Additional Accessibility Information

O Castro Art Village is located in a forested, mountainous area of rural Galicia. The terrain is uneven and includes steep paths between parking areas, accommodation, and shared facilities. While one geodesic dome and the communal kitchen are designed to be accessible for guests with mobility needs, the path from the parking area to the domes is steep and may require assistance.

Please note that the shared studio loft is not wheelchair accessible due to the structure of the restored stone building. Artists with accessibility needs are therefore encouraged to plan to work primarily from their dome, which can function as a private workspace, while still participating in shared meals and community life in the kitchen.

We encourage applicants with accessibility concerns to contact us in advance so we can discuss individual needs and assess whether the residency is a suitable fit.

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Housing available on campus
Accessibility Contact Name
Tatiana Alonso
Accessibility Contact Email
info@ocastroartvillage.com
Accessibility Contact Phone Number
How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

O Castro Art Village is located in a forested, mountainous area of rural Galicia. The terrain is uneven and includes steep paths between parking areas, accommodation, and shared facilities. While one geodesic dome and the communal kitchen are designed to be accessible for guests with mobility needs, the path from the parking area to the domes is steep and may require assistance.

Please note that the shared studio loft is not wheelchair accessible due to the structure of the restored stone building. Artists with accessibility needs are therefore encouraged to plan to work primarily from their dome, which can function as a private workspace, while still participating in shared meals and community life in the kitchen.

We encourage applicants with accessibility concerns to contact us in advance so we can discuss individual needs and assess whether the residency is a suitable fit.

Please briefly describe the facilities and areas of the campus that are NOT accessible.

Please note that the shared studio loft is not wheelchair accessible due to the structure of the restored stone building. Artists with accessibility needs are therefore encouraged to plan to work primarily from their dome, which can function as a private workspace, while still participating in shared meals and community life in the kitchen.

Type of Housing
Private housing on campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Shared bedroom
Accessible Housing
Universally designed
ADA Compliant
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Housing available
Accessible Communal Spaces
Inaccessible
Common/Communal Spaces Information

Residents are accommodated in shared or private geodesic domes located within the surrounding oak forest. The domes are designed for year-round comfort and include beds, bathroom facilities, electricity, heating and cooling systems, and Wi-Fi. Most domes offer open views over the Miño River valley, while others are tucked beneath the forest canopy, creating a quiet, immersive living environment.

A fully equipped communal kitchen and dining area is available to all residents and functions as a central social space. Residents cook individually or together, often sharing meals, conversations, and informal exchanges at the end of the day.

The outdoor areas of O Castro Art Village are integral to daily life and creative work. Forest paths, open hillsides, and the remains of the original village structures are accessible to residents and frequently used for walking, research, rest, and site-specific artistic practices. The ruins and surrounding landscape form part of the working environment, offering space for reflection, experimentation, and engagement with place.

Additional Housing Information
No laundry access
WIFI available in housing
Air Conditioned Housing
Heat and Cool control managed by resident
Meals Provided
Some meals (at least 2 meals provided)
Groceries provided for residents to prepare their own meals
Residents have access to shared kitchen
Additional Meals Information
Food allergies and restrictions can be accommodated
Computer/Internet Access
Computer and internet connection provided in common area (shared)
Computer and internet connection provided in studio area (private)
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Facilities Details

The main working space at O Castro Art Village is a shared studio loft located in the restored stone building of the village. The loft offers panoramic views over the surrounding landscape and is designed for both focused individual work and collective use. Facilities include individual desks and work spaces, a communal studio table, lounge seating, heating and cooling, and projection equipment suitable for screenings, presentations, and group discussions. The space is shared among residents and also serves, outside of working hours, as a venue for informal gatherings, film screenings, skill-sharing sessions, and small events.

Studios/Special Equipment
Shared Studios
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Part Time
Exhibition / Installation Space
Performance/Presentation Facilities
Film Scanner
Printers + Scanner
Photo + Video Editing Suite
Music/Media Studio Non-recording
Music/Media/Recording Facilities
Woodworking Tools
Tablesaw
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Universally designed
Studio Support/Tech
Studio/facility orientation provided
Studio support provided by dedicated tech
Air Conditioned
Heat and Cool control access