New Roots Foundation

New Roots Foundation( est. 1998) is dedicated to supporting art, education and the environment in Guatemala. Founded in 2013, their Art & Culture program promotes and strengthens Guatemalan participation in the visual arts, fosters connections between cultures, and inspires dialogue and collaboration through creative spaces. After 5 years of hosting residencies for artists, in 2018 they opened La Nueva Fábrica, a contemporary art space in Antigua, Guatemala that supports creative exploration through galleries for exhibitions and community events. La Nueva Fábrica is an art space with rotating exhibits of contemporary art, and a permanent collection of historic photography and works by New Roots Foundation founder, the late Guatemalan artist Lissie Habie. Named for its close proximity to the textile mill, La Nueva Fábrica is on the same property as the residency house. Residents are encouraged to visit La Nueva Fábrica and are welcome to join openings, community events, etc. Residents are also welcome to propose an artist talk, performance, or activity at La Nueva Fábrica. Located on the same site as La Nueva Fábrica and an artisanal textile mill, the residency program provides artists with a rich environment to explore new practices and engage with a diverse community. The New Roots Foundation artist residency brings emerging and established artists, curators, scholars, and cultural practitioners together to reflect, research, dialogue, create and share across diverse disciplines. The dedicated space for the artist residency at La Nueva Fábrica offers living quarters for residents, private studios, as well as ways they can direct or engage in public programs that take place at La Nueva Fábrica throughout the year. La Nueva Fábrica’s dynamic location offers artists the opportunity to draw inspiration from Antigua’s surroundings and immerse themselves in Guatemala’s rich history. The proximity and partnership with a neighboring textile atelier means artists have full access to all of the weaving resources: its expert staff, hand and mechanical looms, dyeing shop, carpentry and metalsmithing workshops. To qualify, individuals must work professionally in their field and demonstrate quality of work, commitment to their process, and an interest in connecting with the local community. They consider applications from visual artists working across media. To get the most out of the residency experience, artists must be independent and self-motivated. They encourage artists to apply with ideas that are relevant to the Guatemalan context, or to the vision of the New Roots Foundation. In other words, they are looking for artists who would benefit specifically from their unique residency program and its surroundings. Duos wishing to work collaboratively on a project are welcome to apply. They accept applications across all media, and there is absolutely no requirement to produce textile work. No prior knowledge of weaving is required if you chose to pursue a textile project, although of course it is beneficial. Basic knowledge of Spanish is beneficial, but not required. While New Roots Foundation staff will help residents navigate their stay in Guatemala, artists are expected to be independent and self-motivated. Residency lengths vary from 2-8 weeks. Exact residency lengths are agreed upon after an applicant has been accepted. NRF grants stipends to each resident. Stipends vary from residency to residency. Exact stipend amounts will be confirmed once an applicant has been accepted. New Roots Foundation welcomes individuals of all backgrounds to apply for admission and does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of age, gender, religion, nationality, marital status, ancestry, color, race, disability or sexual orientation.