Self-funding your residency

About Monte Azul awards

As a private, self-funded organization owned and operated by artists, Monte Azul understands the financial challenges creatives face in bringing their visions to life. In alignment with our commitment to giving back to the artistic community, we’ve cultivated a robust network of collectors and patrons over the years—generous supporters who play an active role in helping to develop artists work. Our team continuously engages with these patrons and potential donors to sustain and expand this vital support system.

In addition to donor contributions, we employ a range of funding strategies to support artist residency awards, including proceeds from art sales and our unique Patron Suites program—an innovative initiative that connects art lovers directly with the residency experience. Patron dates are established throughout the year when our residency calendar can accommondate these important visits.

Who is eligible to apply?

All artists accepted into the residency program are automatically considered for partial grants and awards. Eligibility is determined based on the specific criteria of each award, and selections are made by an anonymous jury. No separate application is required.

How are awards allocated?

There is no need to inquire about awards. Artists selected to receive funding will be notified at the time of their acceptance, with full details.

Third-party sources

Most artists fund their residency independently, drawing from personal resources. However, there are several other pathways that have proven successful for past residents.

Grants & Awards

Many artists have secured full or partial funding through grants and awards from foundations, cultural institutions, and arts organizations. Once accepted, Monte Azul provides a formal letter of invitation and support to strengthen your application. This documentation has helped artists align their proposals with institutional goals and secure funding.

A sample of possible resources

The Awesome Foundation

Candid

Pollock-Krasner Foundation

Direct fundraising

Artists often reach out to their own networks—gallerists, collectors, friends, and family—and direct them to the Monte Azul website. If you choose this route, we’ll provide a personalized letter of support to help you communicate your vision and fundraising goals.

Artists have had much success in approaching their contacts with a special edition of work to help with their fundraising. Some have also offered first right of refusal for work produced as a result of their residency.

Fundraising through Fractured Atlas

Monte Azul Center for the Arts is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in New York City that supports arts-focused initiatives.

Fractured Atlas allows donors to contribute to Monte Azul while receiving the benefits of donating to a registered nonprofit. Contributions made through this platform are tax-deductible for U.S. donors, in accordance with IRS regulations.

How does an artist apply?

Artists accepted to Monte Azul may submit a fundraising proposal for review. Your proposal should include:

A clear fundraising goal
A concise description of your project
A breakdown of how the funds will be used

If approved, you’ll receive a personalized link to a Monte Azul Fractured Atlas fundraising page dedicated to your residency campaign.

How we use Fractured Atlas

Our Fractured Atlas page is not open for general public donations. Instead, it’s a secure platform we use to share tailored proposals with individual donors who have expressed interest in supporting specific projects. For example, a recent juried competition was fully funded by a long-time supporter with a passion for the arts. We crafted a proposal aligned with their interests, and once they were ready to contribute, we shared the Fractured Atlas link.

This relationship-based approach works well for our intimate program—and for the artists we host.

How it works

Review Fractured Atlas’s campaign guidelines and browse other projects on their website for inspiration
Submit a proposal to Monte Azul (info@monteazul.art)
Once accepted by Monte Azul, the proposal is submitted to Fractured Atlas
Accepted proposals are published with a link for donors to use a secure credit card
Once the stated goal is reached, or the artist wishes to close the campaign, the artist notifies Monte Azul
Monte Azul submits a request to release the funds. This can take 15 to 30 days.
Once the funds are received by Monte Azul, they are applied to the artist's fee.

Important Notes

Gift Valuation: Any gift listed on Fractured Atlas must have its value declared. Fractured Atlas will deduct the actual cost of the gift from the donation. Only the remaining balance is tax-deductible.
Fees: Fractured Atlas collects an 8% fee on gross donations. Monte Azul also incurs international banking fees to receive funds in Costa Rica, so we apply a 7% processing fee to all third-party campaigns. Total deductions amount to 15%.
Fees must be paid in full to secure residency dates
Any funds collected by the artist through Fractured Atlas must be received by Monte Azul 60 days prior to admission
Funds (less the processing deductions) will be returned to the artist
Artists may request payment installments. If approved, the full amount must be paid 60 days prior to admission.