The social promotion association In Habitat APS presents for the fourth consecutive year the project Da quassù – Artist Residency on Mount Stivo. The initiative stems from the desire to host contemporary visual artists in an unconventional setting for a one-month stay in a mountain hut at 2012 meters above sea level.

The title draws inspiration from the famous words spoken by Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin on April 12, 1961: “From up here the Earth is beautiful, without borders or boundaries.” This emphasizes how expanding our perspective—especially from such a privileged high vantage point—can shape the attitudes and mentalities of both individuals and society.

The unique location of the refuge, overlooking Lake Garda from the north, offers a triple view over the regions of Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino, along with a broad visual horizon and a close, privileged relationship with the natural elements. In this context, the mountain becomes a formative experience that inspires discovery and a return to essential values, by minimizing what is superfluous or nonessential. Life at the refuge is welcoming and rich with opportunities: from close contact with nature to a lifestyle stripped of shortcuts and artifices.

The isolated conditions and shared spaces require a sense of empathy and mutual respect. The facility is nearly energy self-sufficient, equipped with solar panels and rainwater collection tanks. However, a conscious and responsible use of resources is essential. The experience is reminiscent of a family dynamic, where the group supports one another and builds a strong network of mutual aid.

Social interaction here contrasts greatly with city life, where one typically seeks out social engagement. In this case, it is visitors who come to the refuge seeking rest and a warm atmosphere—an evident shift from any urban center. Communicated through artistic expressions, this experience aims to convey a message of change, a critique of modern lifestyles, an expansion of perspectives, and a call to return to a sense of community.

Due to logistical challenges and the refuge’s limited accessibility, the residency will be documented through photo and video reports published regularly on social media. In addition to online communication, high-resolution audiovisual content will be produced to promote the project through additional channels. A documentary will also be created to tell the story of each edition.

Midway through the residency, a guided tour of MART (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Trento and Rovereto) will be organized with a museum curator.

The residency will conclude with a public event at the refuge, during which the project will be presented and the works produced during the month displayed.

At the end of the residency, a documentary about the project will be produced.

• Provide artists with a space for work, research, and reflection in a mountain environment
• Raise awareness of the limited nature of energy and water resources
• Promote energy sustainability
• Encourage detachment from urban life and perspectives
• Create connections between resident artists and the local community to foster new opportunities within the art world
• Reflect on a reality where values such as inclusiveness, global awareness, mutual aid, and solidarity are fundamental
• Support artistic research that responds to new social, health, political, and environmental challenges
• Activate mechanisms of alternative promotion and enhancement of the territory and its culture

Artists will be selected primarily based on their portfolio and CV, with priority given to those whose research aligns with the themes and values outlined in the call, particularly the last three objectives.

The residency is open to all adult visual artists, regardless of gender, nationality, medium, or technique.
Artists will be selected by a jury appointed by In Habitat APS, with the support of Denis Isaia, curator at MART, and Alberto Bighellini, manager of the refuge.

Selected artists will be hosted at Rifugio Marchetti on Mount Stivo for the entire month of July 2025.
Production costs of the artworks will be covered by the artists themselves.

The artworks will be exhibited throughout the summer in or around the refuge. If transport is feasible, they will also be shown in autumn in an exhibition curated by In Habitat at Habitat83, a cultural space in Verona.
In June 2026, during the press conference for the fifth edition, works will be presented at Casa Collini in Arco. For site-specific, ephemeral, or performance-based works, display methods will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

All artworks remain the exclusive property of the artists who created them.

The refuge is accessible only on foot.
Artists needing to transport heavy materials should include a request in their application email.
The organizational team is always available to support residents with logistics, materials, or other specific needs.

Due to accessibility issues, the residency will be documented weekly via photos and videos shared on official social media platforms.

Life at the refuge is guided by weather conditions and characterized by basic services that may not always be fully reliable.

The project is organized in collaboration with Rifugio Marchetti Stivo, which hosts the artists and collaborates with the artistic direction in identifying stakeholders, sharing content, and promoting the call.

Thanks to the visual proximity of the refuge to MART (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Trento and Rovereto) and the artistic nature of the project, a collaboration was formed with the museum. During the residency, artists will have the opportunity to take part in a free guided visit to the museum, and a member of the MART curatorial team will be part of the jury.

The project is made possible with the support and contribution of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Trentino Marketing, and the Municipality of Arco.

The Municipality of Arco will host an exhibition of works created during the 2024 edition and will present the 2025 residency during a press conference.

APT Alto Garda is the project’s media partner.

To apply, please send the required materials to info@inhabitataps.com within the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Email subject line: “Application – Stivo 2025 – Artist’s Full Name/Collective Name”

Required materials (in one single PDF):

– Portfolio including artist statement and CV

– Motivation letter explaining the reasons for applying

– (Optional) Project proposal with description, materials, and dimensions

Proof of payment

Application fee: €20.00 (includes membership to In Habitat APS), to be paid via bank transfer:

Bank: Banca Etica

Payment reason: Residenza Monte Stivo 2025

IBAN: IT06J0501811700000017159807

Application deadline:

All applications must be submitted by May 19, 2025, at 12:00 PM (noon).
Selected artists will be asked to sign a good conduct agreement and to follow the refuge’s rules.

Agli artisti vincitori verrà chiesto di firmare un accordo di buona condotta e di rispetto delle regole del rifugio.

All collected data will be processed in accordance with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) No. 679/2016. Data will be used exclusively for the purposes outlined in this call.