Art Residencies in San Miguel de Allende
SMA Art Residencies is a project born from a passion for cultural promotion and artistic diversity. Located in the heart of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, México —a world-renowned hub for creativity— we offer personalized residency programs designed for professional artists, emerging talents, and art enthusiasts. Our mission is to integrate residents into the city's vibrant art scene, fostering a global community where learning and inspiration meet.
We unerstand that every artistic journey is unique. Therefore, we offer two distinct residency models:
1.Sponsored Artist in Residence (Invited): A competitive program for selected artists. These residencies are supported by sponsors and a selection committee to ensure the program's sustainability and artistic excellence.
Meet the team for the Art Residencies programs
Open call for January 2027
Presented in collaboration with Invisible Punch, we are pleased to announce an Open Call for a fully hosted, one-month artist residency taking place in January 2027 at Garita 9A, located in the historic center of San Miguel de Allende, México.
We are seeking an artist interested in immersing themselves in the cultural and creative life of San Miguel de Allende. During the residency, the selected artist will be invited to develop a new body of work or project informed by their experience of the city, while participating in community engagement, conversations, and activities that encourage meaningful exchange with the local creative community.
The residency will culminate in a presentation of the artist’s process and/or work developed during their stay. The program is designed around a combination of curatorial dialogue, professional mentorship, and advisory guidance led by Abhishek Tuiwala and Ohlynn Wright, supporting the selected artist throughout the development of their residency project.
Residency Period
January 2027 — Around 1 month
Location
Garita 9A
Historic Center of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, México
What the Residency Includes:
• Private room with en-suite bathroom and a view of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
• Dedicated studio space for artistic production
• Full meal plan throughout the residency
• Airport transportation to Garita 9A upon arrival and return transportation for departure
• Curatorial guidance and ongoing professional support
• Administrative and logistical assistance
• Introductions and opportunities to connect with San Miguel de Allende’s local artistic community
• Support in developing community-based activities or public engagement
• A platform to share the artist’s creative process and residency project
• Potential participation in an exhibition or presentation during Art Week in Mexico City
The selected artist will be expected to:
• Reside at Garita 9A for the full residency period
• Develop projects or new works during their stay
• Engage meaningfully with the local community and cultural context
• Participate in agreed residency activities, conversations, or public programs
• Share aspects of their creative process with the residency community
• Participate in the Mexico City Art Week presentation if the exhibition is confirmed
Applications will be reviewed by our curatorial committee, and one artist will be selected based on the strength of their practice, proposed approach to the residency, and interest in engaging with the cultural context of San Miguel de Allende.
2.Art Residency Experiences in SMA (Paid): An exclusive stay designed for creatives who wish to self-fund their immersion and expand their technical skills. This model is centered on a customized art-learning experience, allowing residents to stay at Garita 9A while taking specialized workshops with our network of local master artists.
Both models take place at our flagship location, Garita 9A, ensuring all residents enjoy the same high-quality environment and creative energy.