Arquetopia Peru International Artist Residency – Cusco, Peru

ARQUETOPIA PERU RESIDENCY SPACE

Our third residency space is environmentally conscious, continuing our commitment to sustainability and nature, and conveniently located in the town of Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Surrounded by the rugged Andes mountains, Urubamba sits next to the Urubamba river and historically has been a transportation hub. Near the Maras Salt Mines dating back from the Inca times, Urubamba architecture dates back to the 16th century and was declared Province in 1825.

Like our other two residency spaces, Arquetopia Peru incorporates a deeper comprehension of how art and the surrounding ecosystems, as well as the complex cultural heritage, are rooted in the sense of community.Arquetopia’s residency spaces continue to be open for dialogue, exchanges, and encounters while emphasizing our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, reusing materials, and recycling waste.

Our spacious Peruvian Chalet-style residency hosts up to four resident artists and writers at a time, with sweeping mountain views of the Chicon glacier and views of the little town, including local flora and fauna from the artist rooms. Established close to our local master artists/instructors and partnered institutions, the space accommodates the offices, sleeping living, and workspace for up to four artists-in-residence. In this countryside space, the intersection of art, history, culture, and nature set the tone for reflection, research and production. We welcome artists and writers who are interested in developing projects with non-toxic techniques and seeking a deeper connection with the community, the historical context, and the environment. Artists are also encouraged to participate in diverse activities such as field trips, cycling, and hiking.

Our residents enjoy a safe and peaceful environment, as well as the mild weather that the Sacred Valley provides. The residency center is conveniently located in the countryside village of Urubamba, outside of the touristy areas, and only one hour away from the center of the city of Cusco and 15 minutes away from the Ollantaytambo train station that serves the renowned archeological site of Machu Picchu. Cheap, everyday public transportation is also available from the residency vicinity in different directions and to various destinations.

The city of Cusco is accessible via two international airports in Cusco (CUZ) and Lima (LIM). Cusco was classified in 1972 as Cultural Heritage of the Peruvian Nation and declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Located in the heart of the Central Peruvian Andes of South America at 3,400 m (11,155 ft) above sea level, the Cusco region extends into a fertile alluvial valley of approximately 20 km (12 mi), called the Sacred Valley of the Incas, an incomparable scenic and historical major destination.

The City of Cusco was remodeled and redesigned in the 15th century after a pre-Inca occupation process of over 3,000 years, under the Tawantinsuyu Inca Empire. After the conquest of the Spaniards in the 16th century when the city was destroyed, the basic structure of buildings was used to construct Baroque churches and palaces over the ruins of the Inca city, such as the Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha), the Aqllahuasi, the Sunturcancha, the Kusikancha and a series of very finely finished buildings that shaped the Inca compounds. As a result a local baroque style was developed creating a unique and high quality mixed configuration of architecture and art representing the initial juxtaposition and fusion of different periods and cultures, as well as the city’s historic continuity.

A New York Times article in 2017 named Cusco as “Breathtaking (in More Ways than One).” Cusco is included in the World’s Best Cities in 2016 list by Travel+Leisure.

WHAT OUR COMPREHENSIVE RESIDENCY PROGRAMS AT ARQUETOPIA PERU INCLUDE 

Our residencies are academically oriented professional programs that are customized to each artist-in-residence. Our programs include weekly meetings with our directorial and curatorial staff for individualized research assistance and resources, project guidance, and critique; 24-hour access to shared studio with personal workspace, large tables, and some tools; and wireless Internet; furnished, private accommodation and use of shared indoor and outdoor common spaces; home-cooked meals, locally grown coffee, and stocked kitchen –with organic and local produce, meats, and dairy– for 24-hour resident access; shared bathrooms with modern fixtures and showers; utilities and housekeeping. For the instructional residencies we offer, the instruction our residents receive from the Peruvian master artists we contract is funded directly from the residency fee, and materials and supplies for these instructional courses are included. For our self-directed residencies, artists bring their own materials and supplies or obtain them locally.

Airport Transportation:

Arquetopia provides carefully detailed trip preparation materials, arrival transportation instructions, and orientation materials to all incoming residents. Arquetopia Peru staff provides Cusco airport pickup and dropoff transportation on the scheduled start and end date of the residency.

RESIDENCY PROGRAMS WE OFFER AT ARQUETOPIA PERU (CLICK EACH FOR INFORMATION)

1. ART, DESIGN or PHOTOGRAPHY Residency (self-directed)
2. GOLD LEAFING and Estofado Instructional Residency

3. NATURAL PIGMENTS Instructional Residency

4. PERUVIAN TEXTILES Instructional Residency: Weaving
5. PRE-COLUMBIAN CERAMICS Instructional Residency
6. WRITERS Residency (self-directed)