The Residency

Cayo Residency has relocated to the Atlantic Coastal region of Sāo Sebastiāo, Brazil (near Sāo Paulo). Our new residency program will begin in the Summer of 2026. Furthermore, we are thrilled to announce our residency partnership with CEBIMar, a marine biology institute connected to the University of Sāo Paulo. We will host up to five residents for two weeks. During that time, residents will work closely with CEBIMar scientists and have interactions with professional, working artists.

This region in Brazil is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, harboring around 2,200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians (five percent of the vertebrates on Earth). This includes sixty percent of all of Brazil’s threatened animal species, and nearly 200 bird species found nowhere else on Earth.

The structure of the Atlantic Forest contains multiple canopies that support an extremely rich vegetation mix, including an astonishing diversity of ferns, mosses, and epiphytes. In fact, it is home to around eight percent of the Earth’s plants, which is about 20,000 species. During the 1990s, researchers from the New York Botanical Garden counted 458 tree species in 2.5 acres—more than double the number of tree species in the entire U.S. eastern seaboard. New species of flora and fauna continue to be discovered.

Our Residents

Artist residents are asked to use their time to explore, converse, collaborate, research, and deepen their appreciation of the natural world. Applicants must write a letter of intention that outlines the proposed project that details the area of focus and/or exploration while at the residency. Applicants should demonstrate artistic merit through ideas, conception, and materials. Established and emerging artists are welcome. Graduate students who use this residency as part of their MFA educational pursuits are encouraged to apply.

Programming

As part of the experience, we emphasize field trips and workshops. Please stay tuned for our upcoming programming, including housing, scientific collaborators, field trips, and more.

Residency Fees & Accommodations

The Cayo Brazil 2026 Residency fees, accommodation, travel information, and more will be posted in 2025. Please be patient and sign up for our mailing list.