Two Cultural Management projects, led by alumni of the University Master's Degree in Cultural Management at UIC Barcelona, have been selected as residents of Fabra i Coats: Fàbrica de Creació of Barcelona City Council, a city project  that supports artists and collectives from different disciplines. “Sottobosco” and “Mapping Opportunities and Empowering Artists in Barcelona’s Contemporary Art Scene” are the proposals chosen in the 2025 competitive process to be hosted by Fabra i Coats from this February to December. The initiative is promoted by UIC Barcelona’s own master’s degree among its alumni and seeks to support the development and implementation of projects in the cultural sector.

“Sottobosco”, led by Chiara Signorelli, graduate of the master’s degree class of 2013, explores the relationship between nature, technology and human perception through sound and audiovisual art. Signorelli was inspired by biomimicry as a tool to encourage dialogue between different disciplines. “Biomimetics and data extracted in real time from the forest serve as artistic inspiration, generating a space that not only promotes creativity, but also invites reflection on the connection with nature and environmental sustainability,” explained the graduate.

“Mapping Opportunities and Empowering Artists in Barcelona’s Contemporary Art Scene”, by 2021-2022 alumni Julia Xavier Fernandes and Blake Zigrossi, facilitates artists access to resources, networks and opportunities in Barcelona, thus “responding to a need in the artistic ecosystem of the city”. The proposal, which is aligned with the Barcelona Refuge City policy, creates a directory and library of tools for the professional development of artists. “The project also seeks to amplify marginalised voices to enrich cultural diversity and strengthen connections between artists, collectors and cultural organisations through networking,” they argued.

The judging panel was composed of Carles Sala, executive coordinator of Fabra i Coats; Christoph Pasour, academic director of the master's degree; and Claudia Balboa, coordinator of the postgraduate studies in Cultural Management at UIC Barcelona.

In collaboration with Fabra i Coats: Fàbrica de Creació, UIC Barcelona opens this call annually for two residencies to former students of the University’s Master’s Degree in Cultural Management, offering a work space in a professional environment that encourages the confluence and coexistence with the rest of creators, collectives, associations and cultural agents.

This initiative seeks to promote international projects with the capacity to generate an impact on the artistic environment of the city of Barcelona, and with it the University reinforces its commitment to culture and society through the Master's Degree in Cultural Management.