Operanova

Operanova is a cultural centre and artist residency located in Villanova, a rural hamlet 7 km from Orvieto in Umbria, central Italy. Housed in a restored former wool factory, the residency opened in 2023 and operates as a non-profit association (APS). The building offers two self-contained residential apartments (120 m² and 45 m²), dedicated studio and exhibition spaces, a workshop equipped for iron and wood, a library of around 4,000 volumes (art, architecture, philosophy, humanities), and a communal kitchen. The space houses the archive and studio of artist Pietro Fortuna. Residencies are open to artists, writers, filmmakers, researchers and academics across all disciplines. The residency particularly welcomes practitioners whose work engages with landscape, ecology, cultural heritage or interdisciplinary inquiry. Stays are flexible (typically 2 weeks to 3 months, year-round). A contribution to accommodation costs is requested; reduced rates are available for institutional partnerships. Since 2023, Operanova has hosted emerging French artists through the Nouveau Grand Tour programme (Institut Français Italia) and established a formal partnership with Villa Massimo (Deutsche Akademie, Rome). The programme includes public events in art, cinema, science communication, music and somatic research — residents are integrated into this cultural life if they wish. Orvieto is 90 minutes from Rome by train. The surrounding area includes the Monte Peglia UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Lake Bolsena.