Open Studios - Real Academia de España en Roma

An afternoon inside the studios of the Spanish Academy

Open Studios is the annual appointment where the Real Academia de España en Roma invites the public to explore the studios of its artists and researchers in residence. For one afternoon only, visitors can cross the threshold of these workspaces to observe works-in-progress and engage directly with the creators. This is not a finished exhibition, but an open-house day dedicated to creative processes: a rare opportunity to understand how a work is born, through research, experimentation, and initial development.

The monumental complex of San Pietro in Montorio

The event takes place at the Academy's historic headquarters, the monumental complex of San Pietro in Montorio, located on the Janiculum Hill in the Trastevere district of Rome. It is one of the city's most evocative spots: home to the famous Tempietto del Bramante, a Renaissance jewel, and offering one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the capital from its terrace. Founded in 1873, the Real Academia de España has been a benchmark for Spanish artists and a hub for cultural dialogue between Spain and Italy in the Lazio region for over a century.

Nineteen artists, many disciplines

Each year, the Academy welcomes a new generation of fellows. During Open Studios, the nineteen residents present the progress of their projects to the public and cultural professionals. The disciplines represented span the entire field of contemporary creation:

• Visual Arts: painting, sculpture, photography, and installations;
• Music and Composition: scores, sound compositions, and performances;
• Performing Arts and live actions, including flamenco;
• Audiovisual: film essays and video experiments;
• Literature and works in progress.

Inside the studios, you will encounter audiovisual essays, soundscapes, sculptures in the making, pictorial installations, models, graphic scores, reworked archives, and performance art: the space transforms into a living laboratory where creation and research dialogue with the present.

Memory, archive, and territory

The common thread of these residencies weaves together themes such as historical memory, urban imagery, body politics, Italian artistic tradition, and the tension between space, territory, and representation. Open Studios thus becomes more than just a showcase; it is a moment of exchange between the Spanish artistic scene and the Roman public.

A free event in the heart of Rome

Participation is free. In the afternoon, access is open to the general public, while the morning is reserved for professionals, curators, and cultural operators by appointment. Open Studios offers a unique and authentic way to experience contemporary art in Rome, away from the beaten tourist paths and inside a place that blends history, scenery, and modern creation.