Residency Fees, Payment & Cancellation Policies

WHAT DOES THE RESIDENCY COST? 

• 1 artist: 800€/2 weeks; 1400€/1 month 

• Collaborative team of two: 1200€/2 weeks; 2100€/ 1month

• Collaborative team of three: 1600€/2 weeks; 2800€/1month

A security deposit of 150€.

The security deposit is fully refundable at the end of the residency if the accommodation is in the same condition as it was upon occupancy. 

For individual artists:

Individual artists have private accommodations.

For collaborative projects:

Collaborating artists have the choice of private or shared accommodations. For private accommodations, the fee for each artist is the same as an individual artist.

Collaborations of two artists, who are also companions, may choose to share a bedroom in a private accommodation, or opt for private bedrooms in an accommodation with shared common spaces.

WHAT DOES THE RESIDENCY FEE INCLUDE?

• Lodging

• Outside workspace

• Inside workspace as needed

• A weekly trip, if requested, to the nearby town of Castel del Piano for grocery shopping, laundromat, and other personal business. There is also a post office in Castel del Piano. 

• An information packet can be found in each accommodation with lists and connections to local resources and support for research and supplies.

• Bedding, other linens, and basic kitchen supplies are provided.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RESIDENCY FEE? 

• All applicants are responsible for their own air, sea, or land transportation to and from Montegiovi. 

• Local transport 

• Residents purchase their own groceries, personal items, and supplies.  

• Trips, excursions, or activities may be scheduled depending on the residents’ interests.

DOES CULTIVATE OFFER ANY FUNDING OR SUPPORT FOR THE RESIDENCY FEE? 

Yes! Cultivate offers two one-month subsidized residency awards each year. The residency award covers all fees. Individual and collaborative teams are eligible. Supplies/materials/transport are not included and remain the responsibility of those selected.  

Applicants must indicate their desire to be considered for a residency award in their application and apply by February 1.

If you are selected for an award, you are responsible for a non-refundable deposit that guarantees your attendance, a refundable150€ accommodation security deposit, transport, your personal expenses, and supplies. The security fee will be returned at the end of the residency if the accommodation is in the same condition as it was in the beginning.

We can offer a letter of support for those who have outside grant money designated to support the residency.

La Baldi Residency is not a source of profit. All fees cover the cost of the residency and residency awards. We are committed to removing barriers that might prevent participation. If you are able to pay the full price, you are helping to support another resident. We believe in creatives sustaining one another. We want to make this opportunity available to as wide a spectrum of applicants as possible. If you are not awarded a subsidized residency and need help financing your residency, please contact us at cultivate@cultivateprojects.net.

IF I AM ACCEPTED, HOW DO I PAY THE RESIDENCY FEES?

The residency fee is payable in Euros via Wise.  Wise is a payment service that converts currency at the real conversion rate. It charges much lower fees than other comparable services. We cannot accept personal checks.  

A non-refundable deposit of 10% of the residency fee is due upon confirmation of attendance. 

The final balance is due:

• March 1

CAN MY RESIDENCY FEE BE REFUNDED IF I HAVE TO CANCEL?

In light of the ongoing global health crisis, we are offering the following refund/ postponement policy in 2024:

• If an accepted applicant needs to cancel their residency session for any circumstances in 2024, 90% of the full residency fee will be refunded. The 10% residency deposit is non-refundable. 

• Residents may choose to postpone their residency and apply the fees they have submitted to a residency session for the following year (2025).

CAN A COMPANION STAY WITH ME DURING MY RESIDENCY?

Yes. Companions do not have to apply to the residency unless they are part of your collaborative duo or team. Fees for companions include accommodation in a shared bedroom.

One artist and companion: 1200€/2 weeks; 2100€/1 month

For companion stays of less than 2 weeks a daily rate of 30€ will be charged.

Housing and Other Accomodations

WHAT IS THE HOUSING LIKE? 

La Baldi residents live in private accommodations in Montegiovi, Italy, a village of 200 people. There are pictures of accommodations here. Please indicate your accommodation preference on the application. We will try to honor your request, but we cannot guarantee availability. 

• Via Alberghi apartment for one artist and companion. Two rooms with views to the east and west, kitchen, bath with shower, queen bed, and outside sitting area/terrace. WiFi available.

• Small terratetto house (Piazza Matteotti little house) for one artist and companion. Three small rooms, stacked on top of each other on three different floors including kitchen, study, queen bed, bath with shower, balcony, and a large garden with panoramic views. No WiFi, but participants can use WiFi at L’Olivastra at Poderi Borselli or other sites if desired or necessary.

• Del Ponte apartment for one artist and companion or collaborative teams of up to three artists. Three private bedrooms (one single and two doubles) with shared kitchen, bath with shower, half bath, dining area, balcony, and study. Garden/terrace with views to the east. WiFi available. Entrance is shared in common with adjoining neighbors.

Residents are welcome to share any of the outside gardens.

Accommodations are smoke free environments. All activities must adhere to a strict “leave no trace,” “leave no harm” green policy. 

WHAT ARE MY EXPECTATIONS IN THE APARTMENT? 

Accommodations are smoke free environments. All activities must adhere to a strict “leave no trace,” “leave no harm” green policy. 

The use of fireworks, firearms, candles, incense, illegal drugs, excessive use of alcohol, and smoking are not allowed on the residency property. 

Please be a good neighbor by considering the volume when playing music.  

Cultivate reserves the right to terminate a residency if there is an indication that a resident’s behavior during the residency jeopardizes the quality of the experience for the host family, partnering organizations, or the community. 

WHAT IS THE SETTING OF MONTEGIOVI LIKE?

Montegiovi is a small, medieval village in rural Tuscany. We believe that this setting allows residents to focus on their practice with time for exploration of the local landscape and environment. Although it does not feature many amenities, there is a local pizzeria pub, Il Miccio, that is a local gathering spot to watch the sunset, order an aperitivo, or share a pizza. It is not necessary to speak Italian although a friendly “ciao” is always welcome.

ARE THERE ART OR STATIONERY SUPPLY STORES NEARBY?  

There is an excellent art supply store in Castel del Piano that also sells writing supplies. The owner is very friendly and eager to help visiting artists and writers. Artecnica Di De Carlo Duccio

Residents can print or make copies at the print/graphic shop in Castel del Piano.

ARE SPOUSES / SIGNIFICANT OTHERS / CHILDREN / PETS ALLOWED? 

Spouses or significant others that are participating as fellow artists-in-residence or companions are allowed. We hope that all participants will use this undisturbed time as a space for creation, imagination, innovation, and participation in the Montegiovi/Monte Amiata community. 

We value caregiving of all shapes and forms. Maintaining caregiving relationships while negotiating a creative practice is a real challenge that holds potential for new paths of inquiry and investigation. How can we creatively steward relationships between the land and people of all ages? We are actively exploring options and welcome ideas about how to bring them into our program. 

Pets are not allowed in either accommodation. We are sure that you will find one or more of the Montegiovi cats to visit with.

IS THE VILLAGE ACCESSIBLE? 

Montegiovi is a medieval village in southern Tuscany. There are steep inclines, many steps, uneven pathways, and stairs throughout this location. 

Please consider your comfort level with walking in these conditions. We are happy to provide as much information as possible to ensure your comfort.

Our accommodations are non-accessible, but if this residency sounds like a perfect match for you, please contact us and we will try to find an accessible accommodation in the village or nearby. 

WHAT IF I HAVE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS? 

The local supermarkets and shops in Castel del Piano offer a wide variety of all types of food to meet all participant’s dietary needs. If you are selected for a residency, please let us know about any allergies or dietary restrictions, so we can take these into consideration when planning tastings at Poderi Borselli. 

DO I NEED TO SPEAK ITALIAN? 

A knowledge of basic phrases would be helpful during your visit. Telephones also have translation apps to download, and it is easy to find a book with recommendations for vocabulary, daily interactions with shopkeepers, and ordering food in local restaurants. A copy of an Italian dictionary and phrase book are available in each location. Italians are very friendly and appreciate any effort to communicate in their language. 

If you are interested in Italian lessons/conversations during your residency, please let us know.

ARE THERE STUDIO FACILITIES?

There are no dedicated traditional indoor studio facilities.

We ask that applicants consider how they plan to embrace the outdoors as the primary workspace. 

Workspace is outside in the open air of the garden, on the porch at Poderi Borselli, in the garden of Il Miccio pizzeria pub (on the street leading to the top of the village), on walks, on the village overlook, in the piazzas of neighboring towns, or inside the apartments or house (small works, writing). Even when working inside, the orientation is to the outside through windows and doors that move the gaze to the land, weather, light, and stars. 

Indoor working space at Poderi Borselli is reserved for residents as needed.

If working indoors, all activities must adhere to a strict “leave no trace,” “leave no harm” green policy. Please consider scale and materials.

CAN I USE MY PHONE?

Cell service is available, but connections may be spotty in places due to the terrain.

Please research options for using your phone, international phone plans, sim card purchase, or using apps like WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype, etc.  

You can purchase an Italian sim card and phone minutes once you are in Italy. This enables you to turn your phone into an Italian phone and depending on your plan have access to the internet. You can then use it anytime as long as you have minutes. 

Another option is to keep your phone on airport mode and use communication apps when you have access to WiFi.      

IS THERE WIFI SERVICE ONSITE?

There is Wifi internet available at both apartments. There is no Wifi internet at the little house, but participants can use WiFi at Poderi Borselli or other sites if desired or necessary. Most restaurants have WiFi available.

IS THERE AIR CONDITIONING / HEAT? 

All accommodations have heat but no air conditioning. We ask that you operate the heat in an environmentally friendly manner.

CAN I DO LAUNDRY AT THE RESIDENCY? 

No. There are laundromats in Castel del Piano and Arcidosso.

Basic hand washing and line drying are possible.

WHAT IS YOUR GUEST / VISITOR POLICY? 

The intent of the La Baldi Residency is primarily to provide a solitary residency experience, so the resident can focus on their creative work.  Overnight guests/visitors are not allowed without prior approval.  

WHERE IS THE CLOSEST MEDICAL CENTER / PHARMACY?

The local hospital in Castel del Piano has an emergency clinic called “Pronto Soccorso.” It is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. 

There are pharmacies in Castel del Piano and Arcidosso.

You are responsible for your own travel and medical insurance.