centre d'art i
natura de
farrera
A residency for artists and researchers from around the world, located in the heart of the catalan High Pyrenees. Situated at over 1,300 meters above sea level, CAN is designed to foster both productivity and relaxation. It is the perfect place to enjoy the privilege of working and focusing, either alone or in groups, in a pristine and unique natural environment.
What is the CAN?
A place to retreat and create
The Centre d’Art i Natura is a project of the ACAN Association (Amics del CAN) and has been hosting artists from around the world since 1996, becoming Catalonia’s first international artist residency.
Managed collaboratively with strong community support, the CAN is committed to giving back to its surroundings. With nearly 30 years of experience, this center—born from a grassroots initiative—was awarded the 2020 National Culture Award for its "excellence in cultural management in a decentralized environment like the High Pyrenees."
How to apply for a residency at CAN?
To apply for a retreat at the Centre d’Art i Natura, send an email to artinatura@farreracan.cat, explaining the project you wish to develop, your space requirements, and preferred dates for the residency.
The CAN team will review your proposal and respond with details about availability and budget.
Residencies are flexible and tailored in agreement with CAN management, aiming to meet the specific needs of the applicant.
The environment and spaces
The high-altitude environment, characterized by coniferous and deciduous forests, hay meadows, alpine pastures, and rocky outcrops, combined with its rich cultural, architectural, and human heritage, provides a unique setting for fieldwork, research, and study. At the Centre d’Art i Natura, disciplines span writing, music, painting, sculpture, engraving, dance, theater, scientific research, academic study, and cultural management.
The facilities include comfortable accommodations, well-lit studios, and spaces designed for artistic and research activities, seminars, and exhibitions. The center also organizes grants, exchanges, and cultural programs.
Farrera: A village of artists and herders
Situated at 1,360m in the Catalan Pyrenees, the village of Farrera has a long history and sunny orientation.
Thanks to the CAN, historic buildings have been restored to host artists and researchers, enriching the local community and fostering cultural decentralization.
the kitchen
The CAN kitchen,
one of the pillars of the project
One of the highlights of the Centre d’Art i Natura is its kitchen, run by chef Silvia Sampons, which offers group dinners every evening. These dinners provide residents with a chance to relax and enjoy an exceptional culinary experience. The cuisine reflects the center’s values, emphasizing high-quality ingredients that are natural, local, seasonal, and organic. The result is a variety of balanced, nutritious, and delicious dishes—a true pleasure for all the senses.
Team
Fien Groffils, co-director.
Albert Baldomà i Batlle, co-director.
Laia Parés Termens, space coordinator.
Silvia Sampons, chef.
Les meves parts preferides, els àpats. Tot i que la meva disciplina siguin les arts escèniques, la cuina és la meva gran passió. Cada dia, a les 20:30h, ens reuníem per sopar plegats. No ho negaré, era el meu moment preferit. La Silvia ens va fer un viatge per les diferents gastronomies del món, especialment la mediterrània i la de l'Orient Mitjà. Una autèntica joia.
De seguida entens que part del procés creatiu és compartir, no només amb els altres artistes, sinó també amb el poble, que s'involucra de forma activa amb el centre i l'experiència dels becats. L'Albert i la Tati abracen les propostes i, sobretot, exerceixen un rol d'anfitrions. No havien passat ni cinc minuts i ja em sentia com a casa. Les portes de les cases sempre estan obertes, i això de manera literal: no hi ha claus, però tampoc n'hi ha cap necessitat. Que visqui Farrera.''