Nau Côclea

Nau Côclea is a contemporary art creation centre based in Camallera, in the Alt Empordà comarca of Catalonia, Spain. It presents itself as a 'Centre de Creació Contemporània' — a centre for contemporary creation — and operates as an independent, project-driven art space rather than a conventional museum or commercial gallery. Its programme combines artist residencies, workshops, exhibitions, music and poetry events, and long-distance walking projects that connect art with landscape, memory and community. The centre is closely associated with the 'Grand Tour' project and with walking-based artistic practice. It has collaborated with the Museu Memorial de l'Exili in La Jonquera and the Walter Benjamin Chair of the University of Girona on the annual Walter Benjamin route from Banyuls to Portbou, a commemorative walk linked to the philosopher Walter Benjamin's flight across the Pyrenees. Alongside the route, Nau Côclea awards the Walter Benjamin creation grant, which has supported projects such as 'Una cadira al cap' in 2023 and 'Una Desfilada de Sobres Buits' by Núria Rovira in 2026. Nau Côclea also runs residency programmes including 'Barraques Escrites', hosting artists in Camallera and at partner venues such as Inloft Copons. Its activities extend to publishing, with contributions to the magazine Rara, and to European cooperation: in 2023 it reported obtaining a Creative Europe project with seven partners from France, Belgium, Portugal and Greece, under the banner 'Walking Arts and Local Communities'. The centre also produces and hosts cultural events such as 'La Vinassa del Senglar', a wine-and-poetry gathering featuring local cellars. As a small, locally rooted but internationally networked organisation, Nau Côclea occupies a niche at the intersection of contemporary art, rural territory, walking practices and transnational cultural exchange. Its public identity is built around the physical 'nau' (a Catalan word for a warehouse or shed-like building) in Camallera, which serves as a base for residencies, workshops and gatherings.

Nau Côclea is a contemporary art creation centre located in Camallera, in the Alt Empordà region of Catalonia, Spain. It describes itself as a 'Centre de Creació Contemporània' and has developed a programme centred on artistic residencies, workshops, exhibitions, music and poetry, and walking-based art projects. Its name combines the Catalan word 'nau' — a warehouse or large shed-like building — with 'Côclea', and its physical base in Camallera serves as a venue for residencies, workshops and public events. A defining strand of Nau Côclea's activity is the 'Grand Tour', a long-term walking and art project that has connected the centre with other cultural initiatives and debates across Spain and Europe. The centre has also been closely involved in the annual Walter Benjamin route from Banyuls to Portbou, organised with the Museu Memorial de l'Exili in La Jonquera and the Walter Benjamin Chair of the University of Girona. This commemorative walk follows the path associated with Walter Benjamin's flight across the Pyrenees and is accompanied by a creation grant of the same name. In 2023 the grant was awarded to the collective of Diego G., Gabriela Soffer and Alberto Díez for 'Una cadira al cap', and in 2026 to Núria Rovira Terrades for 'Una desfilada de sobres buits'. Nau Côclea runs residency programmes such as 'Barraques Escrites', which places artists in Camallera and at partner venues including Inloft Copons. It also organises cultural events like 'La Vinassa del Senglar', a wine-and-poetry gathering that has featured local cellars and wine produced at Nau Côclea itself. The centre's activities extend into publishing, with contributions to the magazine Rara, and into European cooperation. In its 2023 annual review, Nau Côclea reported expanding its residencies and partner entities and obtaining a Creative Europe project with seven partners from France, Belgium, Portugal and Greece, under the framework 'Walking Arts and Local Communities'. This project began with an inaugural online café in February 2024. Across its history, Nau Côclea has positioned itself as a small, locally rooted but internationally networked organisation working at the intersection of contemporary art, rural territory, memory and walking practices. Its collaborations have included the Centre d'Art Contemporani i Sostenibilitat Forn de la Calç and the Museu Comarcal de Manresa, and it has participated in debates such as 'Fe o Resistència'. The centre continues to publish annual reviews and to host a rotating programme of residents, workshops and public events.

• Nau Côclea and Grand Tour featured in the 'Fe o Resistència' debate at the Museu Comarcal de Manresa.

• 'Una cadira al cap' by Diego G., Gabriela Soffer and Alberto Díez wins the 2023 Walter Benjamin Grant.

• Nau Côclea publishes its 2023 annual review, reporting a Creative Europe project with seven partners.

• Inaugural online café for 'Walking Arts and Local Communities' with partners from Greece, Portugal, Belgium and France.

• Barraques Escrites 2026 residents announced for Camallera and Inloft Copons.

• 13th Walter Benjamin route and 2026 grant call announced, with a budget of 1,400 euros.

• Núria Rovira Terrades wins the 2026 Walter Benjamin Grant for 'Una desfilada de sobres buits'.

• La Vinassa del Senglar announced for 4 October, featuring local wines and Trasbals produced at Nau Côclea.

Independent contemporary art creation centre focused on residencies, walking practices and cross-border cultural cooperation.

• Artist residencies

  Residency programmes hosting artists in Camallera and partner venues.

• Barraques Escrites

  A residency programme for artists, held at Nau Côclea de Camallera and Inloft Copons.

• Grand Tour

  A long-term walking and art project connecting landscapes, memory and communities.

• Walter Benjamin Grant

  An annual creation grant awarded alongside the Walter Benjamin route from Banyuls to Portbou.

• Workshops

  Workshops on topics such as wild edible plants and public paths.

• Publications

  Contributions to magazines such as Rara and annual reviews.

1. 1Nau Côclea | Contemporary Art Centernaucoclea.com
2. 2Voleu saber tot el que hem fet aquest any 2023?naucoclea.com
3. 3Una cadira al cap a la ruta Walter Benjaminnaucoclea.com
4. 4Som així. Hem fet un recull d’imatges sobre Nau Côclea i Grand Tournaucoclea.com
5. 5Nau Côcleawikidata.org