Artist Residency Madrid Spain
Make a living from
your Art
July 2025 (full): 07/01 → 07/31
Sept. 2025 (full): 09/01 → 09/31
Nov. 2025: 11/01 → 11/31
Artist-in-residence program
The first art residency with a focus on business and marketing side of an artist/entrepreneur. During an exciting and intensive one-month live-in program, you will have your own space to live, work, and develop your art business while learning from the directors of Very Private Gallery.
If you choose to and have produced sufficient work, the residency program can conclude with a solo exhibition.
Build a successful art business
Most residence programs focus on making art in a contemplative environment. Visual art and writing skills are undoubtedly essential for any artist, but without business skills, one can not turn a passion into successful full-time work. We aim to help visual creators like you build a solid business and communication strategy. You will be assigned a personal coach from our team who will work closely with you daily.
Not a free residency
While this program isn’t free, we have worked to make it as affordable as possible for artists. The entire program is offered at a rate of EUR 1200 (USD 1300) or EUR 900 for students (USD 990). Greg and Mo, the two directors, are also donating a combined 20 hours of coaching, which at 70 EUR per hour is valued at EUR 1400. This is an exceptional value.
Residency Practical Info
Property type
Roof: 30 sqm.
Upstairs: Ensuite Bedroom, full bathroom 20sqm, private.
Downstairs: Working/exhibition space, full bathroom, 90sqm.(is any of the space shared?)
Number of guests
1 guest: the artist.
Location
Calle Ruiz Palacio 23, SS, 28039 Madrid
Duration of stay
30 days
What we provide
- All-in-one space (to work, to live, to potentially exhibit your art)
- Five hours minimum coaching per week (blended, 50% online, 50% onsite)
- A video covering your in-resident project on our YouTube channel or:
- An article covering your in-resident project on our website
Who can apply?
- Anyone who is over 18 years of age and allowed to enter and reside in Spain for 30 days.
- Competent in art techniques and tools (artist)
Who are we seeking?
Artists who are thoroughly focused on creating their art but find it hard to market and sell it
An artist residency is usually focused on creating
An artist residency is a place that allows you to spend time away from your normal day-to-day life. It usually allows space to research, curate, and create art. But back home, without a focus on the business aspects of your art, that hard work may not lead anywhere.
This residency is about making a living from your art
To have a successful art career, you must learn how to communicate and market your art. There haven’t been any artist-in-residence programs that focus on the business side of art.
Art Business Residency
Our residency program tackles this problem by offering time for art practice with a structured set of business coaching lessons tailored to you, the individual resident. Our goal is to get you to choose a clear business strategy and work on your personal branding skills. You deserve to get all the help you need to grow your art business.
Statement
This is not a fine art residency to learn stylistic skills. This month will allow you to focus on your craft freely, yet the coaching will focus on improving your communication skills and how to promote and sell your art.
Eligibility
Our residency is open to creative individuals of any nationality above 18 years of age.
110 Square Meters
1 Ensuite Bedroom
1 Bathroom 2 toilets
Madrid, Spain
Furnished Kitchen
High-speed Internet
About the owners
We are Greg Bot (left) and Mo Li (right), and together we bring a wealth of experience from both the art and business worlds to support your creative journey. Greg holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and worked as an art dealer. He will guide you through the creative process, helping to shape your visual identity and navigate content marketing strategies. Mo, with a Master in Business Administration (MBA) and nearing the completion of her PhD in Media Studies, will assist you in producing professional-quality photos and videos to promote your work, protect your copyright, and build a personal brand.
(more details on the About Us page)
Whatever aspect of your artistic or professional development you need help with, we’ve got you covered!
Testimonials
“You can get a bit insular, so to be able to step outside your own mind and have people like Greg and Mo who understand the psychological part of being an artist…”
Pigsy
“It has been probably life-changing as far as my art career and since so much of my life is about art. It has taught me to change the way I approach my art-making and how to approach it in a way that thinks way beyond what I was doing before”
Laura Raborn
Amenities
- Working/exhibition space
- Wireless & cabled Internet
- Bathroom (Towels, Hot water, hairdryer, shampoo, shower gel)
- Full-size fridge with freezer
- Expresso machine
- Wireless & cabled Internet
- Washing machine (no dryer)
- Working space: TV, 2 Desks, printer & office essentials
- Reading material (art business books)
- Ensuite bedroom
- AC
- Wireless & cabled Internet
- Kitchen (Microwave, stove, coffeemaker, mini-fridge)
- Bathroom (Hot water, hairdryer, shampoo, shower gel, towels)
- Coffee machine, printer & office essentials
- Wardrobe
Getting Around
- The residency is conveniently located 500 meters (a 7-minute walk) from Tetuan metro station and 17 km (a 17-minute drive) from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.
- Gran Vía is just 5 km away (13 minutes by metro), and Chamartín train station is 3 km away (a 10-minute drive).
- The metro is the easiest way to get around: a 10-trip ticket costing 6,10 EUR can be shared and used by multiple people.
- Alternatively, you can use apps like Uber, Cabify, and FreeNow to get around at a reasonable price.
Coaching as Preparation (optional)
The residency program opens up a lot of possibilities, but it also asks a lot. It involves rethinking your current approach, unlearning habits, and exploring new directions. That’s why we recommend starting with online coaching sessions. To support this, 50% of your coaching fee will be deducted from the residency cost. You’ll find all the details on the Patreon page .
Grant opportunity
Our residency charges a fee to cover operational costs and ensure sustainability. We cannot provide direct grants to visiting artists. However, we encourage you to seek funding from external sources, such as local government programs or international NGOs, which often offer grants for travel expenses or living stipends related to artistic and research projects. Here are a few tips to help you apply:
Start small:
If you’re new to applying for grants, target smaller ones that cover essential costs like flights, train tickets, and art supplies. Asking for the bare minimum can improve your chances, as more ambitious projects may exceed the grant’s available budget. Fortunately, Madrid’s living expenses are relatively low compared to other European capitals, so you won’t need much to manage.
Show impact:
Many grant programs favor projects with broader, particularly international, impact. Demonstrating ambition (while keeping it realistic) can work in your favor, but it’s essential to research the funding organization’s priorities and tailor your application accordingly.
Research grant cycles:
Timing is key. Stay aware of when grant cycles open and start preparing your application well in advance. Missing a deadline could mean waiting another year for the next opportunity.
Network with past recipients:
Reaching out to artists who’ve previously received grants from the organization you’re applying to can be incredibly valuable. They might offer useful insights into the application process and what the grant committee prioritizes.
Application process
Step 1 Apply Online
Our application process is carried out online. You will need to complete the application form with your personal and professional information, and let us know your goals. Once you submit your application, we will get in touch with you to schedule a video interview.
Step 2 Video or Voice Interview
Tell us a bit more about yourself and share your visions! We will discuss your current projects and career prospects during a half-hour video interview. If we are a good match, we will proceed to schedule your residency.
Step 3 Prepare Yourself
After we both agreed on the plan, it’s time to get ready for your trip to Madrid. Double-check your travel documents, budget and tools. Continue to research so you can get the most out of your residency.
Follow-ups: After your stay, we will do a follow-up consultation over voice/video calls and answer your unresolved questions.
Application form
No payment is required for the application. Please keep in mind that we receive many applications and won’t respond to those we decline. If selected, we will reach out to you within seven days.
( Here is the link to the Google form if you can’t access it below)