The Amazon Edition offers a sanctuary for deep, site-responsive immersion, where creative practice and field research converge within the living pulse of the jungle. Moving beyond traditional structures, we invite participants to engage in an intimate dialogue with the land, guided by the wisdom of local collaborators and the raw intelligence of the ecosystem. Our goal is to cultivate a space for "situated learning," where artists can deconstruct their usual routines and re-root their work in the specific ecological and cultural knowledge systems of the Tapajós.

The program is built upon the freedom of inquiry rather than the pressure of production. We provide the stillness needed for residents to cultivate their own unique investigative paths, encouraging a slow and intentional absorption of the environment. By practicing ‘artistic foraging’ and experiential learning, participants are invited to let their creative essence emerge naturally from the quietude of the forest. While the practice remains self-directed and unscheduled, two curators/guides will be on-site to organize various practices and activities, which artists may choose to join at their own discretion.

Alter do Chão was carefully chosen as the setting for this program. Located in northern Brazil, deep in the heart of the rainforest, the village is strategically positioned on the right bank of the Tapajós River—a majestic "clear-water" river and one of the most significant tributaries within the vast Amazon Basin. The meeting of these transparent waters and the Igapó (mysterious forests that remain submerged during the flood season) creates a space for deep introspection. This territory serves as a living laboratory where the cycles of water and wood invite us to recalibrate our connection to the Earth. Amidst its lush complexity, the Tapajós reveals profound narratives of endurance and interconnectedness, standing on the frontline of global environmental shifts and the urgent struggle for forest preservation.

 Alter do Chão is an exceptional riverside landscape shaped by the rhythmic rise and fall of the Amazonian tides, ancient geological formations, and profound ecological adaptations. Perched on the right bank of the Tapajós River—a colossal "clear-water" tributary of the Amazon Basin—this village serves as our gateway into a territory where the line between water and forest is perpetually blurred. Surrounded by the Igapó (mysterious flooded forests) and the crystal-clear currents of the Tapajós, the location offers a sanctuary that balances vibrant community life with vast, untouched wilderness for focused, reflective inquiry.

At the core of this residency is a deep engagement with the hydrological cycles of the Amazon. Water here is not just a landscape; it is the architect of life, a seasonal clock that dictates every movement. The Tapajós River, with its unique "clear-water" chemistry, acts as a vast mirror reflecting the sky and the forest, creating a sensory environment unlike any other part of the basin.

Campos de Heliantos, the cohort venue, features facilities that place residents in direct contact with the diversity of the Amazon Rainforest. More than just a house, it is a living laboratory where the architecture breathes with the forest. Is a refuge specifically designed for creation, woven into the intimate fabric of Alter do Chão.

Participants can encounter howler, capuchin, and squirrel monkeys, as well as various species of birds. The cabins boast a design that blends traditional architecture with local indigenous styles. The construction materials utilize reclaimed wood and organic matter, such as thatch and clay.

Accommodations are shared connected with natural surroundings, designed to breathe with the jungle and foster communal living, deeply connected to the local rhythms of Alter do Chão and the surrounding forest, offering a space that balances personal reflection with collective exchange. From your bed, the forest becomes a living wallpaper. Morning light filters through the foliage, and the nocturnal chorus of the Tapajós provides the soundtrack for your rest. and simple furnishings to support everyday living and working  during their time in residency.

Private rooms may be available upon request, depending on availability.

Participants also have access to a shared kitchen, fridge, freezer, outdoor dining area, for self-catering throughout the residency. We provide basic cooking equipment (pots, pans, utensils), Participants are responsible for their own meals, kitchen supplies, and hygiene items outside the welcoming and farewell

THE OPEN-AIR STUDIO: Working with the Jungle

Our program encourages you to step beyond the walls of a conventional studio and challenge yourself to learn directly from the living land. In the Amazon, the territory becomes your primary workshop, and the elements—water, mud, light, and humidity—become your collaborators.

Whether you are navigating an Igarapé in a canoe or finding stillness under the canopy of the primary forest, we invite you to develop open-air practices where your process is dictated by the rhythm of the tides, the shifting tropical light, and the profound silence of the trees.

Facilities & Resources

Communal & Private Workspaces: At our base, you will have access to outdoor communal workspaces, sheltered from the sun by a lush garden of native plants. Additionally, each room is equipped with a desk, providing a more intimate and private space for writing, sketching, or focused research.

Materials & Production: Participants are responsible for their own material budgets and specific production needs. We encourage "artistic foraging"—using the forest's natural offerings as your medium.

Connectivity & Power: The base is equipped with electricity for charging devices. Please be aware that in this rural Amazonian setting, occasional power cuts can occur. If your work is heavily dependent on technology, we recommend bringing a small backup battery or mini solar charger as a precaution.

Mobility: Our base is strategically located so that the entire village is accessible on foot, though local transport is readily available for longer distances or convenience:

• Nearby Beach: 400m / 5-minute walk. This quiet beach is just steps away and serves as a convenient point where traditional boats can pick you up for river expeditions.
• Village Center & Restaurants: 800m / 10-minute walk.
• Local Market (Colares/Mini-Preço): 700m / 9-minute walk.
• Main Beach (Ilha do Amor): 1km / 12-minute walk.
• FLONA (Tapajós National Forest): Accessible by a boat ride (15-20 mins) or by local taxi/transport.
• Taxis & Boats: Local taxis and boats are the primary way to navigate the region and can be pre-arranged to collect you from the nearby shore.

This residency operates through a participation fee. We are  an independent, artist-led, non-profit platform and we do not receive regular institutional funding. Contributions cover the real costs of this programme working in a remote environment and sustain our collaborations, accommodation, shared resources and on-the-ground coordination.

Full value of the residency: 2590 USD (3 WEEKS)

Commitment & Financial Coordination

To maintain the integrity of our small-group dynamics, we observe the following phases:

Initial Confirmation: A 50% deposit is required within 10 days after receiving your successful application letter

Final Balance: The remaining 50% must be fulfilled 60 days prior to your arrival in Alter do Chão.

Grants & External Funding: We recognize that many practitioners rely on institutional support. We are fully prepared to synchronize our administrative deadlines with your funding cycles. Because our capacity is strictly limited to 10 participants, it is vital that you outline your funding roadmap (including agency names and expected decision dates) in your initial application. This transparency allows us to reserve your place while your grant is being processed.

If you can not meet these deadlines and need more time or installments, contact us. 

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• PROGRAM PARTICIPATION: Our program integrates independent practice with field trips to cultural and ecological sites. There will be two curators on site and you will be able to share insights with peers and locals in a setting designed to deepen your creative inquiry. All activities, included or not, are optional, to respect the flow of each participant. Every session is unique, evolving alongside the seasons and the specific synergy of each group.

• FIELD TRIP: Through organized group trips to key local sites, participants gain a firsthand perspective on the region’s heritage and ecology. We emphasize time for quiet reflection and landscape immersion, ensuring these visits directly support your personal inquiry and creative process. There will be one guided boat tour and small immersion, activities and talks daily. There will be other tours we can organize not included in the final price. All are optional.

• ACCOMODATION Accommodation in facilities with direct contact with the diversity of the Amazon Rainforest. More than just a house, it is a living laboratory where the architecture breathes with the forest. Is a refuge specifically designed for creation, woven into the intimate fabric of Alter do Chão. Accommodation are shared (2/3 artists). Private can be available upon request.

• WORK GUIDANCE Two curators will be on site to offer guidance, support and feedback within the context of the residency, as each participant work on their project. 

• SHARING EXPERIENCE, WORK & PROJECT PROGRESS Organic and organized optional talk and sharing will be held to offer participants the opportunity to share works-in-progress and engage in informal group conversations, creating space for mutual reflection and exchange within the group.

• WELCOME AND FAREWELL DINNER A welcome dinner and a farewell dinner will be prepared and shared with the group and curators on site. The rest of the meals are not included, but there will be a kitchen available for participants to prepare their food as well as the many restaurants and cafes in town

• TRANSFER FROM SANTAREM Transportation from Santarem airport to the venue will be available on the starting day of the residence, at one time, arranged to match all the incoming  participants. This is one transfer, at one time, for all participants, from the airport of Santarem. Other airports, cities, location, dates or times different than the official an organized one will not be covered.

• ELECTRICITY AND WIFI 

• WORKSPACES

• KITCHEN AVAILABLE

• PRE RESIDENCE SUPPORT AND PLANNING Both by e mail, WhatsApp  and a formal call before arrival. 

NOT INCLUDED:

Please note the residency fee does not cover international travel costs, visa fees, or individual materials, production, or shipping expenses. Any additional activities, excursions, guides, or translators outside the pre-programmed schedule are not included and should be compensated. Participants are also responsible for theiR own snacks, alcoholic beverages, and any other personal expenses beyond the basic provisions mentioned.

External Funding Support

As an independent, non-profit, artist-led organisation, we cannot currently provide full funding for everyone. However many past participants have successfully obtained external funding to attend. We can support your efforts by providing:

Letters of support

Budget templates

Other relevant documentation

To receive your application form, please request it via the form below. We will get back to you shortly with the form and any questions you may have.