This page is dedicated to applications from the
Royal College of Art Only
What we offer -
Joya: arte + ecología / AiR is an off-grid, climate-positive interdisciplinary residency (established in 2006) rooted at the intersection of art, ecology, and sustainable living practices. It is located in the heart of the Parque Natural Sierra María–Los Vélez, in the north of Almería province, Andalucía, Spain. Joya: AiR provides residents with abundant time and space to create, reflect, explore, and engage with their surroundings.
Joya: AiR supports a wide range of disciplines including, but not limited to, visual art, writing, music, dance, curatorial practice, and film. Founded and curated by Simon and Donna Beckmann in 2006, the Joya: arte + ecología / AiR programme is grounded in the belief that dynamic and sustainable creative activity is essential to regenerating land that has been gradually abandoned over the past fifty years.
Since its inception, Joya: AiR has welcomed over 3500 artists and creatives to develop and realise their projects in one of the most unique and beautiful regions of the country. This area is also one of the sunniest in Europe, receiving more than 3,000 hours of sunlight annually.
Residents have access to studio spaces, 20 hectares of land and accommodation.
Joya: AiR offers a supportive and developmental environment for resident artists, writers, and researchers through ongoing dialogue and, upon arrival, a keynote orientation presentation. The knowledge shared is intended to inform residents about the immediate region—its geography, climate (including climate challenges), history, and strategies for sustainable, climate-positive living.
We advocate for the role of culture in rural contexts, offering examples of collaboration, progressive approaches to engaging with the natural environment, and ways to live creatively and synchronously with nature.
Joya: AiR Royal College of Art application
Accommodation is bright, warm and clean with wood heated radiant floors. More images look HERE
Application information -
DISCIPLINES AND MEDIA:
Interdisciplinary: Visual Art / Sculpture / Ceramics* / Dance / Theatre / Performing Arts / Music / Writing / Educational Programmes / New Media / Curatorial / Film Making
*We have an abundance of clay in our location available for modelling / ceramics. We actively wish to encourage the building of temporary wood fired kilns (winter only) as a group / community action. We do not have specific pottery equipment.
TYPE OF ORGANISATION:
Independent artist run space for creatives
APPLICATION:
Joya: AiR is currently accepting applications in Spanish and English only.
APPLICATION OPEN:
apply now
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
1st October 2026*
15th October 2026 accepted application payment deadline
RESIDENCY PERIODS:
20th -28th February
19th - 27th June
*We recommend applying early. Many applications are received soon after a call is announced, and places are allocated as suitable applications are accepted. Waiting until the application deadline may mean that some or all residency dates are already fully booked.
FEE:
The Joya: AiR residency has a fee of €343 for 8 days + tax (10%). This covers the cost of accommodation, studio space. Total €377,30*
The fee includes:
Shared bedroom with attached bathroom
Studios
Artists presentations, readings and studio visits.
*The RCA residency opportunity is self-catering.
If you would like to know what our previous resident artists and writers think about the opportunity look here…
The Joya: AiR minimum deposit is equal to 8 nights in residence €343 + tax (10%) per person: total €377,30
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
1) CONFIRMATION: Residencies are confirmed only upon receipt of a deposit.
2) DEPOSITS: If you have paid your deposit / completed fee but are unable to attend on the agreed-upon dates, please note that payments are non-refundable.
3) CHANGING DATES: If you wish to change the dates of your residency after paying the confirmation deposit, you can do so under the following circumstances:
Up to fourteen days after the specific deadline date of the call-out you have applied for.
Note(1): If you wish to change your dates but cannot meet the criteria above, your deposit is non-refundable, and you will need to pay another deposit to secure new dates.
Note(2): We advise successful applicants to take out travel insurance to cover their expenses in the event of them not being able to attend the residency on the dates confirmed.
5) RESIDENCY FEES: The residency fee is per person, not per room, and covers the cost of your accommodation and studio.
APPLY:
The following data is required to consider applications to Joya: AiR and to conform to Spanish law. This data is retained for one year before being deleted. Unsuccessful applicants will have their data deleted as soon as their applications have been processed. Joya: AiR will not use or share your data for any other purpose.
INCLUSION POLICY:
In practice and policy we provide equal access, opportunities, and treatment to all, regardless of differences in race, gender, age, ability, or any other characteristic that might lead to exclusion or discrimination. At Joya: AiR we have a commitment to fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated, everyone’s voice is heard and every individual feels respected, valued and supported.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Apply using the application field above.
Please add info(at)joya-air.org to your address book to avoid notifications from going into your junk folder.
After the deadline date has expired you will receive a notification as to the status of your application.
The next step is for the accepted applicant to confirm their place with the payment of a deposit…
You will receive an invoice from director of Joya: AiR Simon Beckmann and from Revolut Bank.
If you have elected to pay your deposit by credit card you will receive a payment link by email from info@joya-air.org
Once payment has been received your place is confirmed.
* As soon as you are accepted onto the programme it is important that you complete the application process as soon as possible in order to guarantee your place and dates and avoid disappointment.