Students for the CASTRO Studio Program are chosen by a Selection Panel of high level professionals in the arts, who are invited to select a cohort of people who show the potential to work effectively as a group. 

Selected students are offered a studio, educational activities and pedagogical guidance.It is important to note that the studio is intended only as a workplace; it is not possible to live at CASTRO. Selected students must find their accommodations independently. 

Educational activities and tutors change each year and are planned together with an Academic and Artistic Advisor on the basis of the selected students’ practices. The program comprises a series of mandatory activities, such as tutorials, crits, workshops and seminars, and a series of optional activities. 

Mandatory activities:

– A series of three intensive workshops and seminars, planned based on the students’s interests and practices, to provide theoretical and critical insights.

– Monthly one-on-one tutorials with a mentor, offering personalized guidance throughout the residency. The Mentor changes each year and is chosen on the basis of the selected students’ practices.

– Regular individual meetings with the CASTRO Team to discuss and plan a number of educational activities (i.e. studio visits, field trips, group tutorials and CRITS) 

– Participation in CRITS, public presentations in which artists present their work and offer it to a collective discussion, getting feedback in a group context. 

– Group tutorials to foster collaboration and exploration of research topics

– At least 3 studio visits with local and international artists, curators, gallerists, collectors, writers and a variety of other professionals involved in contemporary art.

– Open studios at the end of the program.

Participation to at least 80% of the mandatory activities is required in order to complete the program. 

During their stay at CASTRO, students may suggest organizing educational events such as talks or reading groups, either to share their practice or as a further research tool itself. The CASTRO Team will evaluate the proposals, agreeing on the possible budget and the modalities of the event.

A temporary calendar will be shared by the Team upon arrival although, as the program is constantly revised in accordance with the students’ interests, most activities are set or confirmed as it runs. Therefore the program is incompatible with other full-time or part-time programs. However, most activities take place in the afternoons so students are free to take part-time jobs if necessary.

It is mandatory to reside in Rome for the duration of the whole program.