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Last replied
8 Oct 2024
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Description
Preference given to volunteers who can stay for at least a full month. Arrival on the first of the month is critical.
We are, amongst other things, a residency for artists, musicians, writers, and other makers.
Super Important! This volunteer project is primarily for artists, writers, and other creatives. Also seeking people with some skills in masonry and construction. This is a non-profit arts and culture center located on a magical piece of terrain in the Andean mountains, about three hours outside Bogota: hosting Artist-in-residencies and workshops, concerts, and developing a program in reforestation and sustainable living. But in a bigger way, the ambitions of the organization are even more ambitious: to create the first large-scale art park in Colombia, and in the process, help change perceptions of Colombia, and to help the healing of trauma in both the people and the land.
News: We've just reached an agreement to purchase the property we occupy (200+ acres!) - which means we'll be able to kick-off our intentional community and eco-aldea projects. We're going to be in need of a lot of skills!
Primary staff: Ric (he/him), Peppa (she/her), Pedro (he/him)Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
First and formost: this is a residency for artists, musicians, writers, and other makers. Volunteers are artists in residents, too - only covering their share with volunteering. The focus here is art and music. Inspired by Black Mountain College and other alternative art schools, this is a place where culture, above all, is part of the air. Volunteers will share in this environment of artmaking (and are invited to spend time making art, too!). Also, as we are involved with activities around reforestation and agriculture, and the creation of a game-changing cultural entity in Colombia, participants will have an opportunity to learn from these activities, and the discussions and planning around them, and the occasional trip into the pueblo for supplies.
Help
We have several major programs we’re initiating here - and thus, we believe the best way to work with volunteers is to share the whole landscape of activities, and for you to identify where your passions lie. We’re just starting our organic garden project: We want to develop a network of trails traversing our 250 acres, including portions of the camino real. We also are looking to revive a couple of old structures. Volunteers will be involved in the helping of cutting back growth on the trails and around major features, such as the enormous rocks and stone aquaduct. Volunteers who are interested may also assist us in the development of our agricultural and reforestation projects.
In addition to their volunteering, we give preference to people involved with their own creative endeavors. While this is a volunteer program, it is also an artist residency. Volunteers are artists-residents!
Residencies begin at the beginning of each month. It can be very difficult for us to accommodate people who wish to come after the first of the month, as it requires a great deal of extra work on behalf of the staff.Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.Accommodation
Volunteers are housed in a separate house - a two-room brick house with an ample open-air covered terrace.
We asking for a food exchange of $7USD per day but if you can not afford it let us know; this is because we have more volunteers that we can afford, and we don't want to turn people away. All-vegetarian meals provided (lacto-ovo-vegetarian) - or optional vegan.What else ...
It's fairly easy to catch a bus from Bogotá to Fusagasugá, then Portones or San Bernardo, Cundinamarca. In that pueblo, you might want to catch the mummy museum. no joke. Most of our residents spend the majority of their time on the property (over 240 acres). If your budget permits, you can also get an Uber from Bogotá directly to the center. We also have drivers who frequently make the trip for a fee.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (28)
Hope to come back in a few years and see how this place keeps growing!
The volunteer hours mainly go to helping with cleaning or preparing dinner, recycling or other small things around the property. Theres a lot of free time to make art within your own studio space or wonder… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.6)
Communication:
(4.8)
Hope to come back in a few years and see how this place keeps growing!
The volunteer hours mainly go to helping with cleaning or preparing dinner, recycling or other small things around the property. Theres a lot of free time to make art within your own studio space or wonder… read more
The volunteering itself was really enjoyable, with the flexibility to work on projects you are… read more
Volunteer work is varied and flexible with opportunity to help out in lots of different areas to… read more
At the place, you are with about 10~ish other artists from all over the world, from all artistic disciplines, with… read more
I just spent those past 5 months here, in Arte Sumapaz, and I just left HOME.
I met so many incredible artists, friends, family here,
Ric and Peppa are very sweet, kind, caring, inspiring, they are family.
The dogs, how much I will miss the dogs ! Please, when you come here, give them every day as much love as you can :)
The pictures… read more
This is the perfect place for creative individuals who enjoy the outdoors and being apart of the community!
Peppa is one of the sweetest people I have met in my life and I look up to Ric a ton! Everyone who I met not only at the location, but in the general… read more
I am thankful to Ric & Peppa for accepting me even with this unsual situation of Covid. Of course social distancing had to be put in place for the first weeks, but it did not prevent our many discussions around the table, amazing breakfast with a beautiful view of moutains, great food,… read more