La Historia de Todxs, Artist Residency 2026
ESPACIO 13 x 20
An interdisciplinary arts space in Los Picachos mountains of Mexico
After more than twenty-seven years of dedication, DANCE MONKS (Est. 1999) is building a home for its local cultural programs and international artist residencies. ESPACIO 13 x 20 will be located at the foot of los Picachos mountains in the farming village of Estancia de Canal in Guanajuato, Mexico—on a land that sings of milpas, Otomi medicine, and deep ancestral memory. Rooted in collaboration with local wisdom keepers, this international project includes over 38 acres, part of which is dedicated to a private Wild Nature Sanctuary, Monte Anam, protecting native medicinal plants and local fauna.
In a world in need of places to gather, repair, and reimagine relationships across borders, this space will offer a sanctuary to reconnect with our more-than-human selves, one another, and the land. As a bicultural experimental dance company, DANCE MONKS’ work grows from community-responsive listening. After more than two decades of collaboration—and raised on both sides of la frontera—Founders, Rodrigo Esteva and Mirah Moriarty, bring unique perspectives on creating bridges of care through interdisciplinary practice.
WILD NATURE SANCTUARY,
ARTIST RESIDENCIES AND PROGRAMS
MONTE ANAM
A privately protected Wild Nature Sanctuary with walking paths and places for creative listening, healing, and meditation.
ESPACIO 13 x 20
Curated interdisciplinary artist residencies, performances, workshops, and cultural exchanges with artists from Mexico and around the world.
> Request Artist Residency Application
ARTE EN EL MONTE
Nature and Art programs for families and children, rooted in making, traditional skills, movement, and play.
CASA DEL ARBOL LIBRARY
A multilingual family library with books including in Otomí, Mam, Zapoteco, Mixteco, Nahuatl, Mayan, Purépecha, Old Irish, Spanish, and English.
LA MILPA
A seasonal community milpa—an ancient agricultural system of the Anahuac and study of the Tonalpohualli, an Indigenous knowledge system of Mexico.
CINE EN EL MONTE
Family-friendly cinema under the stars
APAPACHO
A traditional Acupressure School with advanced-level teachers and a community care wellness clinic by donation for farm working families and those in need.
>Request APAPACHO for you, your family or community
In the future, when available, living space will be provided for intensive APAPACHO for low-income families at a reduced daily rate.
LOCATION: Situated on over 38 acres of mountain terrain full of mesquite trees, wild flora, stones and cactus in Estancia de Canal, Guanajuato, Mexico– near San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende – 15 min | Querétaro Airport – 75 min | Guanajuato – 75 min | Mexico City – 4 hrs
