ILHA CRIATIVA views the island as both place and process. The residency invites artists to slow down, listen, and observe — allowing Santo Antão to shape their practice rather than imposing a fixed concept. Through lived experience, human connection, and attentive presence, artists become storytellers of the island, translating landscape, memory, and daily life into contemporary artistic language. ILHA CRIATIVA believes that cultural exchange and shared creativity can nurture both artistic growth and community resilience.
Who is it for? What do we offer?
-
Visual Artists -
Writers -
Musicians -
Designers -
• Accommodation in Ribeira Grande, Santo Antão
• Local coordination and cultural mediation by the ILHA CRIATIVA team
• Access to local communities, youth groups, and cultural initiatives
• Opportunity to present work in a final exhibition
• Time and space for artistic research and creation Travel to São Vicente (Cesária Évora International Airport) is covered by the participants. Local transport to Santo Antão will be coordinated by the residency team.
The natural landscape, the vibrant colors, the music of daily life — everything invites reflection and expression.
We are currently renovating our space, blending traditional architecture with contemporary
simplicity.
ILHA CRIATIVA Art Residency Santo Antão, Cabo Verde | April 17 – May 15, 2026 ILHA CRIATIVA Art Residency invites international artists and cultural practitioners to spend four weeks on the island of Santo Antão, one of the most diverse and poetic landscapes of the Atlantic. Rooted in presence, observation, and exchange, the residency offers artists time and space to experience the island slowly — through its mountains and valleys, towns and villages, daily rhythms, voices, and silences. The core theme of the residency is to tell the story of Santo Antão through one’s own artistic perception, translating lived experience into artistic form. ILHA CRIATIVA is a socially engaged residency that views art as a tool for dialogue, cultural continuity, and community empowerment. Alongside individual artistic research, residents are encouraged to share their practices, ideas, and creative processes with the local community, particularly young people and emerging creatives, contributing to the growth of cultural life on the island. There is no expectation of a predefined outcome. The residency values process over product, intuition over planning, and meaningful human connection as an essential part of artistic work.
Artists are hosted in the very center of Ribeira Grande, the cultural and social heart of Santo Antão. The residency space includes: • Private single rooms with en-suite bathrooms (shower & WC) • A dedicated exhibition space for presenting residents’ works • An open inner courtyard for gatherings, talks, and informal encounters From this base, residents will embark on inspiring journeys across the island, exploring landscapes, communities, and cultural sites as part of their artistic research.
Why we do This
-
Support young
Cape Verdean artists -
Foster cultural exchange -
Promote sustainability through creativity -
Engage with youth
and the community
We are building this residency from the ground up — independently, and with love.
Your support will help us complete our space, offer scholarships, and grow our impact.
Whether you’re an art lover, a traveler, or someone who believes in cultural bridges — we invite you to join us.
Ways to Support:
• One-time donation
• Monthly patronage
• Sponsor a local artist
• Donate materials or equipment
