The Collegium artist residency program stems from a commitment to an institutional model that balances exhibition, research, and production. Its aim is to contribute responsibly to its environment by creating a space conducive to experimentation. Within this framework, culture and knowledge production intertwine with artistic processes and materialities that dialogue both with local traditions and endangered knowledge, as well as with the urgencies of the present.
Located in Arévalo, a municipality in Castilla y León founded between 1085 and 1090 during the Christian reconquest, Collegium is rooted in a city shaped by centuries of history. Situated between the Adaja and Arevalillo rivers, the region holds archaeological remains dating back to 2500–2000 BCE. Its medieval history is marked by the coexistence of Jews, Moors, and Christians, which established its economic and political significance. The town’s historic center, featuring notable examples of Mudéjar architecture, has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest.
Arévalo is also linked to key historical figures. After the death of Juan II, Isabella of Portugal lived there with her daughter, Isabella I of Castile—known as Isabella the Catholic—who would play a decisive role in the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era. It was in Arévalo that the Treaty of Tordesillas was ratified in 1494, dividing the rights of global exploration between Spain and Portugal. The city also played a role in the early history of the Society of Jesus, founded by Ignatius of Loyola, whose educational vision left a lasting impact on global pedagogical strategies.
Alongside the exhibition program held at the Church of San Martín, the residency program continues its work as a pilot initiative: bringing artists to Arévalo for an immersive stay, usually of two months, that leads to the development of new works and the production of a documentary about the process.
Today, we operate through institutional collaborations, seeking to build an ecosystem of shared learning. The residency is conceived as a living laboratory, in resonance with the historical and natural heritage of Arévalo. Its focus is on exploring the connections between artists and the rural environment, fostering intergenerational and cross-contextual encounters, and fostering a communal relationship between contemporary creation and traditional knowledge.
Located in Arévalo, a municipality in Castilla y León founded between 1085 and 1090 during the Christian reconquest, Collegium is rooted in a city shaped by centuries of history. Situated between the Adaja and Arevalillo rivers, the region holds archaeological remains dating back to 2500–2000 BCE. Its medieval history is marked by the coexistence of Jews, Moors, and Christians, which established its economic and political significance. The town’s historic center, featuring notable examples of Mudéjar architecture, has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest.
Arévalo is also linked to key historical figures. After the death of Juan II, Isabella of Portugal lived there with her daughter, Isabella I of Castile—known as Isabella the Catholic—who would play a decisive role in the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era. It was in Arévalo that the Treaty of Tordesillas was ratified in 1494, dividing the rights of global exploration between Spain and Portugal. The city also played a role in the early history of the Society of Jesus, founded by Ignatius of Loyola, whose educational vision left a lasting impact on global pedagogical strategies.
Alongside the exhibition program held at the Church of San Martín, the residency program continues its work as a pilot initiative: bringing artists to Arévalo for an immersive stay, usually of two months, that leads to the development of new works and the production of a documentary about the process.
Today, we operate through institutional collaborations, seeking to build an ecosystem of shared learning. The residency is conceived as a living laboratory, in resonance with the historical and natural heritage of Arévalo. Its focus is on exploring the connections between artists and the rural environment, fostering intergenerational and cross-contextual encounters, and fostering a communal relationship between contemporary creation and traditional knowledge.
Exhibition Views
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