Oaxaca

The colonial city of Oaxaca is reachable via three international airports: Oaxaca (OAX), Puebla (PBC), and Mexico City (MEX). Nestled in a valley in the Sierra Madre mountain range of southern Mexico, Oaxaca is located 450 km (280 mi) southeast of Mexico City.

With a population of 265,000, Oaxaca boasts magnificent colonial architecture, the most outstanding example being Santo Domingo church and its former convent, now home to an impressive anthropology museum. The city and its surrounding areas also feature a high concentration of native Zapotec and Mixtec cultures and archaeological sites.

Oaxaca was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 for its central historic district and the archaeological site of Monte Albán. Getting around Oaxaca is easy and enjoyable; museums, studios, libraries, and landmarks are all within walking distance.

At an elevation of 1,555 m (5,100 ft), Oaxaca features a subtropical climate, resulting in mild-to-warm temperatures year-round.

Rich in history and culture, Oaxaca is a fascinating destination where you can appreciate ancient civilizations, colonial art and architecture, and vibrant cultural traditions.
Oaxaca is one of the safest Mexican destinations you could choose.

What Our Residency Programs at Arquetopia Oaxaca Include

Our residencies are mentored, professional programs with academic content customized to each artist-in-residence. Our programs include weekly meetings with our directorial and curatorial staff for personalized research assistance and resources, project guidance, and critique.

Residents receive 24-hour studio access with personal workspace and some tools; wireless Internet; furnished private bedrooms; access to indoor and outdoor common/shared spaces; and 24-hour kitchen access to prepare their own meals. Utilities and housekeeping are included.

For instructional residencies, instruction from Mexican master artists is funded directly from residency tuition, and materials and supplies are included. For mentored, non-instructional residencies, artists bring or source their own materials locally.

Local Transportation

Arquetopia provides detailed trip preparation materials, arrival transportation instructions, and orientation materials to all incoming residents. Arquetopia Oaxaca staff provides downtown Oaxaca pickup and drop-off on the scheduled start and end dates of the residency.

Though affordable public transportation is available, Arquetopia provides scheduled transportation into downtown Oaxaca once per week by van.

Arquetopia Oaxaca Residency Space

In contributing to more focused environmental consciousness and renewing our commitment to sustainability and nature, we are excited to present Arquetopia Oaxaca. This second residency space honors Oaxaca’s traditions by incorporating a deeper comprehension of how art and the surrounding ecosystem coexist harmoniously.

Our spacious Mexican-style villa hosts up to four artists at a time, with mountain and city views from the artist rooms.

Located in the countryside village of San Pablo Etla, only 30 minutes from Oaxaca’s city
center, the residency is surrounded by mountains and a 7,500-acre nature reserve rich in biodiversity. The Centro de las Artes San Agustín is only 20 minutes away.

Artists are encouraged to participate in field trips, hiking, and community engagement.
Arquetopia also provides scheduled transportation into downtown Oaxaca once per week by van.