Shoot, Print, Connect: The Artist Ally Photography Map

If being an artist wasn’t challenging enough, imagine being an immigrant or refugee artist. You’re not only juggling your creative work, admin tasks, and discipline—now you also have to learn a new culture, a new language, and navigate a whole new city.

I’m Xav, co-founder of Artist Ally and an artist Mentor, and I know that struggle all too well. When I moved from Brazil to Europe—first to the Netherlands, then later to Barcelona—I felt it in my skin. Figuring out which galleries, venues, producers, and builders were right for me took forever. What did they do? What was their focus? Were they any good? Were they ethical? Most importantly, were they a good fit for the artists I work with?

That’s why I started making Google Maps lists—to map and categorise places around town. It made my job with artists so much easier. After all, how can artists hit the target if they don’t even know where to aim? Where’s the best framer in town? Who can do high-quality photo prints? Where do you go if you want your work to look museum-ready?

And from that need, one of our first Artist Ally initiatives was born: Artist Maps.

We create customised maps for artists, divided by artistic disciplines—printmaking, new media, sculpture, pottery, you name it. Each map is designed to help artists in Barcelona find top-quality studios, venues, shops, and galleries that actually focus on their medium.

Our goal is to help you, the artist, navigate Barcelona’s landscape with less confusion and more clarity.

And this article focuses on… Photographers! 📸

So, to make things easier, we built a map just for you.

Focused on photography and lens-related art forms (in plain terms: if it involves a camera or projection, it’s here), it’s a living tool designed to help you navigate the city’s photography world—whether you’re looking to print your work, connect with a gallery, or simply find the right community to grow with.

Want access to our Photography Map?

We’ve got you covered.

Click the button below to explore the Photography Map of Barcelona 🗺️