The Civita Institute inspires creative excellence, education, and cultural exchange through exploration of the unique qualities of Italian hill towns. Our historic arts and architecture-focused facilities are located in Civita di Bagnoregio, one of the most beautiful hill towns in Italy. The Civita Institute was founded on the idea that architecture and preservation, environmental stewardship, agricultural heritage and cultural exchange are all linked and that Civita, and other hill towns of Italy, provide a unique setting to experience these connections. 
 

Our Mission: To inspire and foster an interdisciplinary understanding of the unique qualities of Italian hill towns that remain pertinent to our contemporary experience, through the promotion of historic preservation, education and scholarly research, artistic creation, cultural exchange, and professional explorations.

Our Vision: Inspiring creative excellence, education, and cultural exchange through exploration of the unique qualities of Italian hill towns.

Our Bylaws: As a Washington State nonprofit with 501(c)(3) U.S. tax status, the activities of the Board of Directors are guided by the Bylaws of the Civita Institute. You may read our Bylaws and its Exhibit B, Director in Good Standing Criteria and Director Code of Conduct Pledge here.

Of Historical Note: Our Mission Statement was crafted in 2007 by the late Astra Zarina, Anthony Costa Heywood, and the Board of Directors to implement the intended use of the Zarina-Heywood donation of buildings, land, furnishings, and archives by The Civita Institute, in perpetuity. In 2018, the Board also adopted a Vision Statement that is a contemporary reflection of our mission. 

 

Our Fellowships and educational programs are located at our facility in Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy. Located about 60 miles north of Rome, the Civita Institute facilities provide non-profit arts-focused studio, teaching and educational spaces for our program participants. We do not offer lodging on a commercial basis. Use of our facilities is for Members only; varying levels of Membership provide varying levels of use. This remarkable setting provides a unique base for our program participants to explore dozens of significant hill towns, cities and cultural sites between Rome and Florence. 

 

Working with the citizens and political leaders of Civita and the neighboring town of Bagnoregio, along with leading organizations such as UNESCO, Casa Civita, Croce Rossa Italiana Bagnoregio, and the World Monuments Fund, The Civita Institute is devoted to the exploration of stabilization strategies while respecting the social and cultural underpinnings of Civita and other Italian hill towns.