Cultural Projects · International Mobility

Culture has no border.Nor should the peoplewho create it.

Spain can be the place where a cultural project finds its space, where an international career continues, or where a new work begins to take shape.

When a cultural professional arrives from another country, there is usually far more behind that arrival than a permit. There is a project. An institution. A collaboration. A career. And, at times, a significant investment of time and resources. Our job is to build the legal structure that allows the project to reach Spain without losing sight of what happens next.

Culture·Art·International·Immigration

Analyse my project
The Roman Theatre of Málaga at the foot of the Alcazaba walls on a clear October morning: a woman with a portfolio case walks away from the camera beside the theatre towards the light, a man reads on the tiers and a cyclist passes along Calle Alcazabilla

The project

Not every cultural project is the same.

That is why we do not begin by asking which form you need. We begin by asking: What are you going to do in Spain?

Depending on the case, it may be:

  • an artistic project
  • a cultural collaboration
  • a creative activity
  • a cultural programme
  • participation in an institution
  • an activity linked to a cultural organisation
  • an international project carried out in Spain
  • a professional career that continues here

The first task is to establish what actually exists and which legal route applies.

The people

Behind every project there is a person.

We can work with international profiles connected with:

Artists

Artists and creators.

Cultural professionals

Professionals in the cultural sector.

Curators

Curators and exhibition professionals.

Musicians

Musicians and performers.

Creative professionals

Creative professionals.

International cultural figures

Professionals with an international career who carry out a cultural activity in Spain.

We do not analyse the profession alone. We analyse the relationship between the person, the project and Spain.

The structure

Three pieces.A single story.

01

The person

Who they are. What their career has been. What experience they bring. What activity they carry out.

02

The project

What they will do in Spain. For how long. With what objectives. With which collaborators.

03

The host institution

Who takes part from Spain. An institution. A company. An organisation. A cultural body. A collaborator. Or whatever structure the project requires.

When the three pieces fit together, the file begins to make sense.

Requirements

What must exist before you begin

01

A genuine cultural activity

The activity must fall within the cases contemplated by the applicable rules. Describing the project as “cultural” is not enough. There must be a specific, verifiable activity.

02

An identifiable project

It must be possible to explain:
what will be done
who will do it
where
when
with whom
for what purpose
and what professional or contractual relationship exists.

03

A coherent track record

The applicant’s professional or artistic experience must relate to the activity they intend to carry out. The career is part of the story the file tells.

04

Documentation

Depending on the specific case, the following may be required:
contracts
collaboration agreements
letters of invitation
documentation from institutions
programmes
projects
professional accreditation
artistic track record
financial documentation
and the other documents required.

05

General requirements

As with the other international mobility permits, the general requirements applicable to the applicant must be met. We analyse, among other things: criminal record; entry and stay status; health cover; financial means; documentation; and the other requirements imposed by law.

The story

A good file is nota collection of documents.It is a coherent story.

  • Who you are.
  • What you have done.
  • What you are coming to do.
  • Who is involved.
  • Why Spain.
  • For how long.
  • And how all of this relates to your career.

Every document should tell the same story. Every document should tell the same story.

The institution

Where there is a Spanish institution, we analyse it too.

A cultural institution, company, foundation, organisation or partner body may form an essential part of the project.

We review:

  • its legal nature
  • its activity
  • its relationship with the professional
  • the project
  • the contract or agreement
  • the person who signs
  • the supporting documentation

Because an international collaboration must be properly constructed on both sides of the border.

The process

From idea to implementation

  • 01Initial assessmentWe get to know the professional and their career.
  • 02ProjectWe analyse the activity to be carried out in Spain.
  • 03HostWe examine the institution or collaborators involved.
  • 04StructureWe determine the appropriate legal route.
  • 05DocumentationWe build the file.
  • 06ApplicationWe handle the corresponding application.
  • 07ArrivalWe support arrival and settling in.
  • 08Next chapterWe analyse subsequent needs as the project evolves.

The family

A cultural project can also change a personal life

Where the move involves family members, we examine from the outset the options provided for by law.

We analyse:

  • partner or spouse
  • children
  • other family members

Professional mobility may be individual. The decision to relocate rarely is.

A project can end.A career can continue.

An exhibition ends.

An artist’s residency ends.

A collaboration ends.

A cultural programme ends.

But the professional’s relationship with Spain can continue.

That is why, where the project is intended to last or there is a succession of activities, we examine from the outset what alternatives may exist afterwards.

Today’s project should not become tomorrow’s problem. Today’s project should not create tomorrow’s problem.

A musician seen from behind, carrying a cello case, walks down Calle Alcazabilla at blue hour, with the illuminated Alcazaba of Málaga in the background

Tax and structure

Culture also has an economic dimension

Once the activity reaches a certain scale, questions may arise concerning:

  • tax
  • contracts
  • intellectual property
  • companies
  • fees
  • sponsorship
  • investments
  • wealth
  • tax residence

That is why, where necessary, we coordinate international mobility with Garzalex’s other practice areas.

Immigration is only one layer. Immigration law is only one layer.

The Garzalex approach

Cultural mobility, with depth.

  • ·ProfileWe get to know the career.
  • ·ProjectWe understand the activity.
  • ·StructureWe determine the route.
  • ·DocumentationWe build the file.
  • ·ImmigrationWe manage the mobility.
  • ·ContinuityWe think about what comes next.

The Garzalex view

Works may be temporary. Careers need not be.

Spain can be the place where an artist, creator or cultural professional finds the next chapter of an international career. Our job is to ensure that chapter begins on a solid legal footing.

Important decisions should be discussed in the language in which they are made.

ES·EN·DE·RU

Advising an international client takes more than translation: it takes context.

Every cultural career has a starting point.

Every cultural career begins somewhere.

There is more beneath the surface. There is more beneath the surface. Our job is to see it first.

Culture·Art·Immigration·International·Tax

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