Live. Create. Connect.
Spend a weekend or a week living and creating in an inspiring artistic community immersed in Nature, Art and culture in Northern Portugal.
Most creative spaces in Portugal are urban based. StartArt sits 40 min of Porto airport, and 15 min away from Braga, by the riverside and near the Gerês National Park. You get the city when you want it and a working studio immersed in Nature when you don't.
OPO is the closest international airport. We coordinate the pickup. Most residents land Saturday and start work Monday.
Art Galleries & museums. Historical sites.
Portugal's only national park. Day trips for landscape painters, photographers, anyone whose work needs scale.
Swimmable May–October. Kayaks, paddleboards, the river is part of the residency, not a distraction from it.
Who applies
For artists and creatives who want time, space and the right environment to create, stay productive and connect with inspiring people.
~38%
The mural wall, the studio, oils to ink. The largest discipline at StartArt.
~17%
Quiet rooms, the library nook, mornings to write, dinners to read aloud.
~14%
Darkroom-friendly outdoor space, river light, day trips to Gerês and Porto.
~12%
Editing setups, fast Wi-Fi, projection nights with the rest of the house.
~10%
Outdoor working space, kiln access by arrangement with local studios in Braga.
~9%
Working architects, designers on sabbatical, anyone with a project that needs a real place.
What does it include
Choose private ensuite, twin shared, or dorm 4. Each room painted by a different former art resident.
Breakfast daily, communal dinner Mon–Sat.
Immerse yourself in creativity and Nature.
Strong signal in every room and across the property.
Rent our kayaks and paddleboards. Pool from May to September. The Rio Homem is at the property line — no transit, no fee.
Pizzas, movie and game nights every week. Bonfire & project presentations at the end of the Residency.
The 2026 open call
Sessions are flexible. Most residents stay 2 to 6 weeks; some stay the full season. Application is rolling — we review weekly, reply within 24 hours. Application opens December 2025 and closes when the season fills (typically March–April for peak summer).
✓ Stays from 7 - 14 nights
✓ Rolling admissions — apply any time
✓ 1 week reply window, then a 15-min video call
✓ Final group exhibition: On Weekends
✓ Listed on Res Artis
Pricing
Price covers room, breakfast, access to all common inside and outdoors areas, Wi-Fi, Pool and other daily activities included in our weekly programming.
Shared room
4-bed dorm
€420
/ week
✓ Hand-painted shared room
✓ Studio access daily
✓ All meals included
✓ River, pool, kayaks
✓ For artists 21–35
Most chosen
Shared Room
2-bed DORM
€490
/ week· per person
✓ Twin share — paired with another resident
✓ All areas acess + private workspace
✓ All meals at long table
✓ Mid-residency critique
✓ Final exhibition included
Shared Single
Solo occupancy
€560
/ week
✓ Shared bathroom + garden view
✓ All areas access + meals
✓ Personal mid-residency review
✓ Final Exhibition included
Inside the residency
Poetry & Game Nights
Waterfall Hikes w/ Photography
Expresive Drawing Workshops
Pizza & Movie Nights
Wine Tasting & Cultural Tours
Art Sharing Evening w/ Bonfire & Presentations
summer 2026
How to apply
The whole process — from clicking apply to dates locked — usually takes about a week. We don't ask for a portfolio.
You don't need to be ready to create.
You just need the space.
Space to think.
Space to feel.
Space to reSTART.
01
7 questions, 10 minutes. What you make, why now, when.
02
A real conversation — not an interview. We just need to feel the energy fits both ways.
03
Lock your window. 30% deposit holds the room; balance 30 days before arrival.
04
Pickup or bus instructions sent. Arrive Saturday, work Monday.
Common questions
Do I need a portfolio to apply to the art residency?
No. We don't ask for a portfolio. The application is a short form about what you make, why you want to come, and when. We accept on intent and curiosity. Beginners and 30-year veterans share the same long table.
How does StartArt compare to other art residencies in Portugal?
Most Portuguese art residencies are urban (Lisbon, Porto warehouses), short (1–2 weeks), and accept by competitive jury. StartArt is rural, riverside, accepts year-round on rolling admissions, runs 2–12 week stays, and combines a working studio with a co-living community of 8–14 artists at a time. We're also one of the few that include all meals on the price.
Is there a stipend or are residencies paid?
Our residency is fee-based, not stipended. The fee covers room, three meals a day, access to our common available areas, materials in shared media and all weekly activities.
How far is StartArt from Porto airport?
40 minutes by car. The closest international airport is OPO (Porto). We coordinate a pickup if you arrive Saturday morning. Public transit option: bus to Braga (1h) + 15-min taxi.
Can I bring a partner or non-artist guest?
Yes — many residents do. The private ensuite is built for couples. Your partner doesn't need to apply separately if they're joining you for your residency window. They can use all common spaces and join meals. If they want their own project time, they should apply as well.
Are residencies in Northern Portugal cheaper than Lisbon?
Yes — significantly. A month in a comparable Lisbon residency runs €2,400–€3,500. Northern Portugal (Porto/Braga region) is roughly 30–40% lower cost. StartArt twin share at €1,800 includes meals, which most Lisbon residencies do not.
When does the 2026 open call close?
Rolling admissions, no hard deadline — but the season fills. May and September windows usually fill first (cooler weather). Peak summer (June–August) typically books up by March or April. Earlier is better; we have not had a year where applying in February was too late.
Alumni from 60+ countries
Open call · 2026
The form takes 5 minutes. We reply within the week and book a videocall as soon as possible. May and September fill first.
