Villa Emera is a small, private, and homely arts-and-sciences residence in Rome. Our residence is located in the beautiful and peaceful Appio Latino area, which offers excellent transport links to all parts of the city. The Colosseum is 1.5 kilometers away, and the Spanish Steps can be reached in about 20 minutes. The best part of our authentic Roman neighborhood is that it has not been discovered by tourists – and of course, the huge 4000-hectare Caffarella park next door!
Our rooms are spacious and bright. We have fast, reliable internet access and thick walls, so the rooms are quiet and good for working. All our rooms have a desk and a double bed. Our spacious, well-equipped kitchen also has a large dining table, our house’s meeting place, where you can work if you wish.
Want to come for an Art Residency in Rome?
Application and goals
There is an ongoing application process for the Villa Emera residency. Please contact us and tell us what you would like to do in Rome. We always discuss with artists and researchers who interest us in advance before deciding to invite them to the residency. Our activities focus on facilitating cross-cultural encounters, identifying relevant opportunities in Italy for the invited artist and/or researcher, and providing personal mentoring. We tailor the residency experience to each participant’s wishes. You do not have to produce anything ready-made during the residency period, but you can also come to us for inspiration and ideas.
Cultural Association LUMI
Villa Emera is managed by the Italian-registered cultural association LUMI, which has promoted cultural exchange between Finland and Italy since 2010 by organizing numerous exhibitions and concerts in both countries. The most notable example of these is the Finnish contemporary art festival SUOMI INGORGO in Rome in 2019.
Villa Emera curator and founding member, visual artist Riikka Vainio, defines the residency’s operating principle as a “nomadic institute”. The key to our operations is to find a local actor that meets the needs of each residency guest, for example, a gallery or foundation, which guarantees the creation of a dialogue with the local audience. Our homely approach allows the residency participant to gain a perspective on Italian culture. Spontaneity, flexibility, and open dialogue are important to us in our operations.
Consulting assistance and contacs
We can offer a wide range of consulting and production assistance, organize exhibitions and concerts, help find both literary sources and interviewees, translate texts, and act as fixers for filming arrangements. We have experience in working with both Finnish and Italian media and advertising photographers. Our areas of expertise also include curating and mentoring artistic and scientific work.
Residency rules
Children or spouses may be brought to the residence for short periods if the family member is staying in a room at the residence. If a family member/friend requires their own room, it is a good idea to ask whether other rooms are available in the residence. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed, as we strive to take into account any allergies or sensitivities our guests may have.
The most important rules of the residence are respecting the working peace of other residents and keeping the common areas clean.
The residency fee depends on the season, project, and any additional services.
Residency reports
Riikka Vainio
(Director) Visual artist, cultural producer, curator, and chairman of the cultural association LUMI. Vainio has an extensive network in Italy and Finland. When necessary, she organizes exhibitions, concerts, and performances, and consults and brainstorms about opportunities in Italy. She has also often worked as a fixer on media and advertising projects.
Sebastian Ziegler
Sebastian is a visual artist, organizer & videographer. He graduated with a Diploma in Fine Arts from the University of Arts Bremen, Germany, in 2006. Since then, he has worked mainly with video and interactive sculptures. He is an excited builder, the person who is asked to be there when something unique needs to be done, usually with limited resources. Sebastian is currently living and working in Turku, Finland, and in Rome, Italy.
VILLA EMERA FAMILY
Villa Emera 