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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
24 Feb 2026
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Details
Description
Preference is given to volunteers who can stay for at least a full month. Arriving on the first of the month is essential for logistical and onboarding purposes. What's even more important for folks coming to this place is less that they have a portfolio but that they want to focus on their creative practice. This is important to us!
It is a non-profit arts and culture center located in the Andean mountains, about three hours from Bogotá. We host artist residencies, workshops, concerts, and programs in reforestation and sustainable living. Our larger mission is to create the first large-scale art park in Colombia—shaping new perspectives on the country and fostering healing through art, community, and environmental restoration.
While we welcome volunteers with different skill sets, this opportunity is primarily for artists, musicians, writers, and other creatives. Volunteers are considered artist-residents who contribute through work exchange while engaging with the artistic community.
Core Team:
Peppa (she/her) - Residency Director and General Manager
Ric (they/them) - Residency Volunteer, and Executive Director
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Pets
Sustainability
Vegetarian or vegan
Self development
Farming
Culture
Cooking & food
Photography
Music
Plant care
Writing
Performing arts
Gardening
Art & design
Animals
Hiking
Outdoor activities
Nature
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
It is more than just a volunteer opportunity—it is an immersive artistic environment inspired by movements like Black Mountain College. Volunteers are encouraged to engage with their own creative practices while contributing to the community.
Beyond art, there are opportunities to learn about sustainable agriculture, reforestation, and cultural development in Colombia. Volunteers will also participate in community discussions and occasional visits to the nearby pueblo for supplies or cultural outings.
Registered charity
This host is a registered charity in their country and is looking for volunteers to help with their project(s).
Help
Volunteer Responsibilities & Expectations
Weekly Hours are 24 hours per week. (4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week)
At the start of each week, let us know your preferred days off
A weekly meeting on Mondays outlines tasks for the week.
Daily check-ins at 9 AM provide task assignments and a short briefing.
*Current tasks as of March 2026, they may change monthly but this is to give you an idea*
Garden & Compost Tasks
- Germinating
- Tree maintenance & machete work
- Preparing new flower beds
- General weeding & garden upkeep
- Watering plants (2–3 times per week)
- Collecting brown material (dead leaves) for compost
- Turning the compost
Social Media Content
Each week, one/two volunteers will document residency life:
Video Content: Gather footage for one weekly video. Themes include:
- Life as a volunteer
- Resident interviews
- Food, spaces, and nature
Photo Content: Capture images for weekly social media posts, including:
- One artist profile
- "day in the life" post
Recycling Station Maintenance
Sort materials appropriately:
- Cardboard/Paper: Rip into small pieces
- Plastic: Wash & dry
- Glass: Smash in designated bin or repurpose into glasses
- General Waste: Dispose of non-recyclables properly
- Collect recyclables from studios
Recipe Book Project
- Meet with chef to compile and document recipes.
- Volunteers with computers can assist in updating the live recipe document (including ingredients, methods, and photos).
Trail Maintenance
Paint and install signage for trails:
- Bosque Trail
- Arabia Trail
- Silks Trail
Flora & Fauna Documentation
- Continue cataloging local plant species in live documentation.
Other Tasks
- Assist with ad-hoc requests via the group chat
- Mural Painting: Help complete the exterior mural on the painting studio
- Weaving Fence: Construct a bamboo fence around the waste bin area
- 3D Studio Cleanup: Organize the space behind the 3D station
- Market Visits: Help bring in Saturday food deliveries
- Pet Care: Feed the resident cats and dog (Guaricha)
- Casa T Maintenance: Assist in cleaning and upgrading volunteer accommodations
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
Full-Time Volunteers
It is a modest yet peaceful retreat at the entrance of Hacienda Australia, surrounded by nature. It features:
- Sleeping Arrangements: Two connected bedrooms, each with two single beds.
- Bathroom: Hot (low pressure) and cold (high pressure) showers.
- Outdoor Space: A spacious patio shaded by trees, perfect for relaxing.
- Amenities: Filtered drinking water (refillable by volunteers), tiled floors, mosquito nets, blanket, pillow and towel.
- Scenic Views: Overlooks trees, with frequent bird sightings.
Meals Provided:
All meals are vegetarian (lacto-ovo), with a vegan option available.
What else ...
Getting Here from Bogotá
There are several transportation options:
- Bus: Take a bus from Bogotá to Portones or San Bernardo, Cundinamarca. From there, you can take a local taxi.
- Direct Bus: There is one daily bus from Bogotá that goes directly to the entrance of the residency.
- Alternative Routes: Some travelers take a bus from Bogotá to Pandi and then a tuk-tuk to the residency.
If your budget allows:
- Private Drivers: We have trusted drivers who frequently make the trip for a fee.
- Private Transport: You can take an Uber from Bogotá, though availability varies.
Things to Do in Your Free Time
Most of our residents spend their time on the property (over 240 acres) with more than 7 km of trails, but if you're interested in exploring, there are plenty of nearby places to visit:
- Mummy Museum (San Bernardo): No joke, it's a real thing!
- Local Pools: Enjoy a swim at Casa Portones (infinity pool, food, and drinks) or a natural swimming pool in Pandi.
- Explore Local Towns: Visit Pandi and San Bernardo to try local food, play traditional games like tejo
- La Chapa Viewpoint: A stunning lookout with food stalls on weekends, walking trails, and climbing opportunities.
- Petroglyph Tour (Pandi): Discover ancient rock carvings on a guided tour.
- Community-Led Trips: One of our community members organizes food and craft workshops, hikes, and cultural experiences with an emphasis on community engagement.
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
My animals / pets
Miel Maria Yuca Frita
Cookie Astronauta del Espacio Fernandez
Guaricha
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (32)
it's a great place to slow down and take some time to focus on art.
mi visito es genial
I learnt not only how to tap back into my creative voice but also new ways to communicate & become an intentional human being.
The team are… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(4.8)
it's a great place to slow down and take some time to focus on art.
mi visito es genial
I learnt not only how to tap back into my creative voice but also new ways to communicate & become an intentional human being.
The team are… read more
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
