Founded in 2016, the center has the mission of supporting research, creation, production, and dissemination of contemporary art with a specific focus on emerging artists and curators interested in working with peripheral communities. In this way, both local and international artists are at the center of Colón Cultural’s programming and activities. Crucial to the dynamics of this space, international exchanges produce a blend of cultures, stimulate creativity, and create sustainable links between artists, art professionals, and the community. Similarly, it creates a space for artistic creation with strong connections to socially engaged artistic practices.
International Online Residency
«The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible» – Toni Cade Bambara
Colon Cultural invites artists, curators, and other art professionals to participate in its international online residency. This residency is a virtual space for artwork, critical thinking, and dialogue. Participants will be joining this space that will allow them to expand their horizons, erase borders, and link realities regarding art. This is not a cold and disconnected space, on the contrary, it establishes a dialogue not only amongst participants but also within their socio-cultural and geographical contexts, through their artistic practices. The goal is to open up to the world and know new experiences, techniques, thoughts, and ideologies. Participants will break with the inability of movement imposed by the current situation and the geographical, economic, and cultural limits that prevented contact.
This residency will use English for communication, although one of our aims is to address this hegemony in our work and consider ways to navigate the different tongues of participants.
Colon Cultural’s Residencies
Living Conditions
Each artist will have at their disposal an individual room with a private bathroom and workspace. Towels and other basic living essentials will also be provided by Colón Cultural for all resident artists.
Artists will have access to the communal space which includes a shared kitchen where artists can access and prepare food, as well as store it. Dressing room and rooftop terrace.
Creation Studios
Colón Cultural offers 2 artistic creation studios where artists can develop their projects in both individual and collective dynamics. The studios will be available to artists 24 hours a day to facilitate complete immersion within their project. As there may be occasions when more than 2 resident artists coincide, availability will depend on agreed-upon schedules.
Costs and Grants
Internacional residents
Artists and curators may cover the total costs of their residency at Colón Cultural, or they can apply to the international residency financing program of Colón Cultural in collaboration with other institutions or sponsors. The residency budgets are established according to the following lists.
Cost of living space: $600 per month (Air-conditioned room with private bathroom and workspace)
• Access to production studios (optional): $150 per month
• Suggested living expenses: $50 per week
• Suggested production grant: $1,000 to $2,000
• Flight-related expenses: $500 to $1,000
• Administration fee: 20% of the overall budget (minimum $450)
Cuban Residents
This Colón Cultural residency will host artists, curators, or researchers for one month to develop projects contextualized within the community or other peripheral social groups.
Colón Cultural in collaboration with other organizations and sponsors will provide:
- Weekly stipend during the residency period of $50 (1 month).
- Production expenses for the project (up to $800). Access to production studios 24 hours a day depending on availability.
- Curatorial support
- Tutorial
Ongoing…
Alessandra Mesa (Cuba)
Urban and Domestic Real Estate Development Project for the Colón Community. Use of Eco-friendly Materials for Sustainable Local Development.
Orestes Baratuti (Cuba)
Development of artistic creation and design workshops with young people from the community. Empowerment space for creative tools to solve problems.
Next residency…
Francisca del Villar (Chile)
Workshop with children from the community for the creation of collective dynamics to realize a mural in a public space in the Colón neighborhood.
Colon Cultural 