The Civita Institute Fellowships

The mission of The Civita Institute is 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.

The Creative Residency Fellowship program will gather a cohort of four Fellows and two Facilities Docents over four dedicated weeks during March 2027. In the beautiful complex of our 15th century facilities in Civita di Bagnoregio, a world-renowned hill town in central Italy, each Fellow will reside in one of four historic houses. All will have access to the exquisite Sala Grande and its library, the courtyard, garden and views.

The goal of the Residency cohort is to enhance the development of each fellowship project through a supportive community framework for sharing work and exchanging interdisciplinary ideas. Facilities Docents will stimulate deeper creativity and enhanced experience through social gatherings, sharing their knowledge of the local environs, field trips, and engagement with the community of Civita di Bagnoregio. For more information about the Creative Residency Fellowship, Co-Fellowships, or an accompanying partner, download the CREATIVE RESIDENCY FELLOWSHIP BROCHURE, here.

The Creative Residency Fellowship is partially supported by The Civita Institute and partially by the Fellow at a reduced rate of membership in The Civita Institute. Fellowships will be awarded by the Board of Directors based on the alignment of proposed projects with our mission, a perceived ability to stimulate cohort creativity, and likelihood of completion. For more information about the rates of membership and how to apply, download the CREATIVE RESIDENCY FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION, here. If you have further questions, contact Fellowships@civitainstitute.org.

The Civita Institute Pathways Fellowship - in Honor of Joseph Mask will be awarded to support a creative or research project by an individual whose background, experience, or perspective is in the field of architecture, design, or the arts. Like the winding passages of Civita di Bagnoregio, the Pathways Fellowship is intended to assist an applicant seeking a new route for innovative thought and creativity in the environs of Civita di Bagnoregio.

The Pathways Fellowship will include a stipend and a four-week stay in a beautifully restored, historic house at our remarkable facilities in Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy. Fellowship applications will be evaluated for their alignment with the mission of The Civita Institute, their affinity with the life of Joseph Mask, and their originality. The future award will be recommended by an independent jury with final selection by the Board of Directors. Your patience is appreciated while the fellowship schedule is determined. 

The Civita Institute Creative Retreat Fellowship welcomes individuals who wish to experience a solitary sojourn for the completion of a proposed creative or research project. In alignment with the mission of The Civita Institute, Creative Retreat Fellows will enjoy accommodation in a fully restored, 15 c. historic house of The Civita Institute. All of the houses are unique, offering various amenities at varying rates of membership. Creative Retreat Fellowships are available for periods of 14, 21 or 28 days during July, August, December, January, or February. For more information about membership rates, accommodations, and how to apply, download the CREATIVE RETREAT FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION, coming soon. 

Each Fellow will stay in a Renaissance-era tufo stone house that has been fully restored in the vernacular hill town palette of The Civita Institute’s primary founder, architect and professor, Astra Zarina. Each house has a private contemporary kitchen and bath. All have access to clothes washing machines. The Institute's library in the Sala Grande may be available according to the fellowship type and/ or needs of the Fellow's proposal. To explore the beautiful facilities of The Civita Institute, click here.

Fellows may be accompanied by a significant companion for the duration of their fellowship stay unless their particular fellowship states otherwise. Fellows are permitted to host one, two-night stay for visitors during their time in residence. Fellows and visitors 18 years of age and above must submit a completed Visitor Conditions Form to The Civita Institute no less than two weeks prior to the visit and be a current member of The Civita Institute. A significant companion and all visitors must be members of The Civita Institute at the time of their stay.

The Civita Institute offers a reduced rate of annual membership to all fellowship applicants. Active members of The Civita Institute receive gratis application to any fellowship. For non-members, a Fellowship Application fee of $50 initiates a review of the fellowship application. It also includes a one-year membership in The Civita Institute and all benefits associated with the chosen level of membership regardless of any fellowship award. All fellows must maintain current membership during their stay.

All fellowship applications will be assessed for their compatibility with and illumination of the mission of The Civita Institute. Addressing all other criteria specific to the fellowship being applied for will also be an important consideration. Fellowships may be reviewed by an independent jury or by the Board of Directors, depending upon stipulations of the fellowship. Juries typically consist of three to five individuals with the relevant expertise to recommend awards to the Board of Directors. Non-juried fellowship applications are will be board-reviewed and assessed for conformance with all stated criteria. The decision of the Board to award fellowships shall be final.

The Fellows' proposed fellowship deliverables become important contributions to The Civita Institute’s Archive and Collections. Deliverables can be many things: they may be 2-dimensional and digitized; they may be drawings or photos, books, booklets, or video presentations; large scale pieces are discouraged due to lack of space. They are important records of time and of value. They offer dynamic insight into personal understanding and expression of the mission of The Civita Institute. Specific criteria for The Civita Institute’s fellowship deliverables can be found in each fellowship’s Description and Application Form.

If you have further questions, please contact fellowships@civitainstitute.org.