The Rockefeller Foundation - Bellagio Center Residency Program

For more than 60 years, the Bellagio Center Residency Program has brought together the leading academics, artists, and practitioners from across the globe, providing them with a space to unlock their creativity and advance groundbreaking work.

Rather than a retreat for private reflection, the Bellagio Center residency offers an opportunity to advance a specific breakthrough project, and a stimulating environment to forge cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural connections with other residents. Bellagio Center residents form lasting bonds, staying connected to each other and to The Rockefeller Foundation long after their residency ends as members of the Bellagio Network.

Our Residents Are: 

• Leaders with significant achievement and recognition in their field
• Forward-looking, with a history of advancing breakthrough ideas or actions that have had tremendous impact
• Committed to The Rockefeller Foundation’s mission to “make opportunity universal and sustainable”
• Curious and collaborative—open to giving and receiving feedback from a diverse group of fellow residents
• Excited to remain active in the Bellagio Network after their residency

Residency Accommodations and Schedules

Room assignments are made at the time of invitation. All rooms have a private bath. Most rooms have an adjoining study, but some rooms have a study located inside the Villa or in the wooded park adjoining the Villa. Studios have a desk, chair, and a lamp. There is also a printer available. Depending on availability, residents can request a laptop computer.

Residents who have mobility restrictions and have not previously included this information in their application should contact the Italy office immediately. Every attempt will be made to assign a room that minimizes stairs and steps. However, the Villa does have a functioning lift/elevator while the Maranese does not.

The Center is not able to accommodate children, even adult children, or other family members or friends. Additionally, no pets are allowed.

Meals: During the course of the residency, room and board are provided without charge. The atmosphere at the Center is somewhat like a private home, albeit a very large one. The Center does not operate as a hotel and as such has limitations on certain services (for example, room service is not available).

All meals for residents are served at the Villa.

• Breakfast: Continental breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and a larger buffet-style breakfast is taken at your convenience between 8:00 a.m. and ending at 9:00 a.m.
• Lunch: 1:00 p.m. sharp (ending at 2:00 p.m.). If you prefer, you can request a picnic bag in the morning to take for lunch.
• Tea Time (optional): 4:00 p.m. (ending at 5:00 p.m.) in the Team Room.
• Cocktails: 7:00 p.m. to 7:30pm
• Dinner: served promptly at 7:30 p.m. (ending at 8:30 p.m.). Residents are expected to attend dinner.

We kindly ask that residents respect and are considerate of these schedules and hope that they will enjoy the opportunity to participate in the lively exchange of ideas over meals.

Space for Spouses/Life Partners of residents are welcomed at the Center and can utilize this time to work on their own projects. We cannot provide separate studies for spouses but most resident suites include a desk in the bedroom where the spouse can work. In addition, there are various public rooms that can be used as shared work areas.

Attire. Dinner attire is business casual (a jacket, though a tie is not necessary). Appropriate national dress is also suitable. Informal clothing such as shorts, tank tops, jeans, etc. are not appropriate for dinner but are fine during the day.

Smoking is not permitted in any building.

Time. Italy is on the Central European Time (UTC +1) and observes the Central European Summer Time (UTC +2) from March to October.

Weather. Local weather Information (select “Metro Suisse”)