Transform your art into a sustainable business

A 1-month artist residency in Madrid focused on personal branding and sales

Jun. 06/01 → 06/30
Aug. 08/01 → 08/30
Oct. 10/01 → 10/30

Artist-in-residence program

Possessing a strong artistic technique is not enough to sustain a full-time career without a clear business strategy. While most residencies simply offer space to create in isolation, with new work but no means to sell it, Very Private Gallery offers a different path led by Greg and Mo, who combine their MFA, PhD and MBA expertise to guide you through the business of art. By applying for our one-month intensive in Madrid, you will move beyond the cycle of creating unseen work and instead build a clear personal brand, transforming from a struggling creator into a confident artist-entrepreneur ready to succeed in the real world.

Program tuition & value

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. 

What you get from this program

  • A studio for creating, an exhibition area, and a private living area.
  • a minimum of 5 hours of coaching per week (in English, French or Chinese), split between online and onsite.

Your final project

A one-month program demands focus. You must choose one main priority to conclude your residency:

  1. Video Feature: We produce a YouTube video about your work. A guest expert joins the discussion.
  2. Website Article: We collaborate on an article for our website. The content matches your specific art category.
  3. Solo Exhibition: You make a solo show or curate an exhibition with other artists in our space, a partner gallery, or a pop-up venue. You must prepare enough quality pieces to support an exhibition.

Statement

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

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. 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.

Steps

1. Apply Online: Please fill out the form below. It is important that we can see your work on your website or social media.

2. The Interview: If pre-selected, we will contact you by email for a 30-minute video call to discuss your vision.

3. The Residency: Travel to Madrid for a 1-month intensive program to live, work, and build your business strategy.

Practical Infos

Property type

Roof: 30 sqm.
Upstairs: Ensuite Bedroom, full bathroom 20sqm, private.
Downstairs: Working/exhibition space, full bathroom, 90sqm.

Number of guests

1 guest: the artist.

Location

Calle Ruiz Palacio 23, SS, 28039 Madrid

Duration of stay

30 days.

 

Who can apply?

  • Anyone over 18 years of age who is allowed to enter and reside in Spain for 30 days.
  • Competent in art techniques and tools (artist)

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
very private gallery artist residency map Madrid Spain
Mo Li and Greg Bot at the artist residency madrid spain very private gallery

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 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

pigsy artist portrait

"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

 

Laura Raborn portrait

"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

 

Photos

writer artist residency open call madrid - ensuite rooms 03
writer and artist residency open call in Madrid - stairs to the ensuite room
writer artist residency open call madrid - bathroom
artist residency project description
writer and artist residency open call in Madrid - entry gate
writer and artist residency open call in Madrid - Exhibition area
writer and artist residency open call in Madrid - Exhibition area
artist residency project description
artist residency project description
writer artist residency open call madrid - ensuite room 04

Past residents

Мary Plato Nova portrait - Very Private Gallery past resident

Mary Plato Nova

Nov. 2023

Laura Raborn - Very Private Gallery past resident

Laura Raborn

Mar. 2025

Anissa Calvo portrait - Very Private Gallery past resident

Anissa Calvo

Jun. 2025

Pigsy - Very Private Gallery past resident

Pigsy

Jul. 2024

Louise O'Gorman portrait - Very Private Gallery past resident

Louise O'Gorman

May 2025

Major Hugues portrait - Very Private Gallery past resident

Major Hugues

Nov. 2025

Additional infos

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.

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 offers 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 previous to the residency program will be deducted from the residency cost (during the residency the coaching is free). You’ll find all the details on the Patreon page .