Rural Residency for Contemporary Art
RUC
IN SIMPLICITATE LIBERTAS
WHO WE ARE
RUC is an international artist residency, welcoming artists, musicians and writers from all over the world.
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RUC supports multicultural dialogue and interdisciplinary exchange between international artists and local traditions in a rural dimension that offers artistic time in solitude and exchanges between peers. Sited in a remote location, RUC's isolated beauty is the ideal environment for intellectual work and creates optimal conditions for concentration and creativity, international exchange, friendship, and mutual understanding.
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RUC is also the ancient name given by locals to our estate and means terraced garden on the rocks.
OUR VALUES
Discovering rural life
Cross-cultural understanding
International exchange
OUR MISSION
RUC believes that experiencing the ancestral magic of rural life in the Alps may enhance inspiration and support creativity through reconnecting artists to the natural world and to their genuine self.
WHERE WE ARE
RUC is located in the Italian Alps, in Lombardy, in the Valcamonica valley. Milan is 1 hour and 30 minutes away by car or public transport.
The nearest international airport are Milan Malpensa MXP, Venice Marco Polo VCE, and Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio BGY.
OUR HERITAGE
Because of the uniqueness of its prehistoric engravings carved in the rocks, Valcamonica was the first Italian site to be listed among UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1979.
On the southern side, the valley flows into the beautiful lake Iseo where the breathtaking fishing island Montisola was chosen in 2016 by Christo for his installation The Floating Piers. On the nothern side, the valley is topped by the largest glacier of the Italian Alps, the Adamello National Park.
RUC is located very near to prominent Roman archaeological sites, and the nearest villages count an ancient Roman open air theatre and the ruins of a temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva.
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During the Second World War these mountains witnessed some of the most crucial battles of the Italian Resistance against Fascism. The history of RUC is indissolubly intertwined with those events.
RUC ESTATE
RUC is a private estate on the ills that hosts a tiny rural community immersed in vineyards and woods.
On the property there are five country houses creating a spiritual hamlet. Among these, Villa Amati, an early XX century characteristic villa, that offers wide and bright rooms, and studios in a unique set of inspirational common spaces.
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All RUC artists will enjoy full use of the property and all of its amenities, gardens, courtyards, and common spaces.
RUC VINEYARDS
We are grateful and proud of Agricola Vallecamonica that greatly manages RUC's vineyards. Residents can discover more on the production thanks to tastings and workshops with the winemaker in person.
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A UNIQUE STORY
RUC's special climate conditions have incredibly preserved its vineyards from phylloxera: today our vineyard is older than one hundred years and it is one of the rare varieties in Europe not grafted onto American vines.
The wine production uses the depths of several nearby Alpine lakes as cellars to create a simply unique wine in taste and history.
RUC EXPERIENCE
Art, Archaeology, History, and Craftsmanship
Nature and Wilderness Discovery
International Dialogue
RUC ARTIST RESIDENCY
RUC Residency offers 1 week residency retreat, and 1 or 2 weeks independent residency opportunities. During all RUC stays a small group of international artists will experience the ancestral magic of rural life in a small community.
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During the residency, in addition to focused studio and en-plein air working time, thanks to local guides and no-profit associations, artists can attend workshops, cultural trips, and excursions to discover the main historical-artistic treasures of the area.
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Guests are welcome and do not need to be artists.
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This residency is an extraordinary opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful regions of Italy and invigorate your creativity by interacting with other Artists, with History and Nature!
LAB GALLERY CAFFÈ
The Caffè del Corso Art Lab is the historical literary café of the village of Cividate Camuno. It is reachable in walking distance from the residency, and offers RUC artists the opportunity of creating public programs and interacting with the local community.
STUDIO SPACE
Renting the ‘Open Studio’ at the Caffè Art Lab means creating your art in a bright working room with beautiful glass windows open on the public street. A studio gallery of your own during the time of your residency!
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​EXHIBITIONS
The Caffè Art Lab welcomes RUC’s Alumni and all international artists who may wish to show their works on personal or collective exhibitions. The Caffè Art Lab offers you the opportunity of organizing your Italian vernissage with a special opening 'aperitivo' for your guests!
WORKSHOPS
All artists are welcome to offer workshops to be held in the spaces of the Caffè Art Lab during their time at the residency, or independently from RUC! Caffè Art Lab can be transformed into your Italian Summer School!
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INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
RUC is proudly partnering and collaborating with Caffè del Corso Art Lab for drinks, workshops, events, studio spaces, and exhibitions; and with the Misztal von Blechinger Foundation, based in Poland and operating in the Italian Alps, for literary projects, as well as exhibition projects in Italy, online, and abroad.
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Artists can enjoy cultural visits and events, workshops, and programs in archaeology, history, contemporary art, craftsmanship, winemaking and and gastronomy, organized by several local cultural associations and partners, among which Marta Tours, and the non-profit RUC aps.
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Our committment in supporting our artists is ongoing, and we are delighted to suggest you to check funding opportunities at the Lighton International Artists Exchange Program.
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We are happy to assist artists seeking grants or other forms of funding in their home country or institution, by providing an invitation letter when a candidate is accepted.
Fotoshootings at RUC are possible for those artists wishing to document their residency time and/or the art works created. Please contact our partner photographer Andrea Ferro for more information and prices.
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RUC Alumni are prioritized to submit a proposal for a show at the Future Tense Gallery in Minneapolis (Minnesota, USA), founded by artist Eyenga Bokamba.
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Since 2019, Crit Lab by artist Patricia Miranda, is bringing groups of artists from the USA to experience a special residency program between the Venice Biennale and RUC. Check out the Crit Lab RUC 2024 program online.
In the summer 2023, RUC announced a new partnership with the Boynes Emerging Artists Award. Based in Australia, the award was created in 2019 to support, promote, connect and most of all give opportunities to emerging artists all around the world, enhancing the profile of young and/or undiscovered talent. RUC has proudly hosted the winning artists of the 7th edition of the prize for a 1 month long residency in August 2023, and every season hosts several artists from the Boynes network.​​​
APPLICATION
SUMMER 2025
The residency is open worldwide to visual artists, musicians, and writers.
​​​We welcome artists from all over the world, and encourage foreign applicants by helping them with all logistical matters.
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Applications are accepted every year on a rolling basis for residency periods from May to October (1-3 weeks).
​Please provide the following: artist statement, résumé, and a link to your website or social media.
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​Thank you!
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RUC is a member of the most prestigious networks of international Artists Residencies worldwide
CONTACT RUC
For further information please whatsapp text to +39 348 0681280
