Happy Castle Art Camp

  • Community
  • 0 followers

About the Community

  • Forming
  • Rural

What we do

Happy Castle Art Camp is an experimental off-grid eco-village, art space, and festival community located on 160 acres of high desert in New Mexico. Built on principles of sustainability, radical self-expression, skill-sharing, and cooperative living, Happy Castle is more than just a place to live—it’s a place to create, learn, and build a new way of life.

At the heart of our project is the Happy Castle Art Festival, a three-day immersive experience celebrating large-scale interactive art, participatory culture, and communal living. Inspired by the ethos of temporary autonomous zones and the DIY spirit, our festival serves as both a funding model for the commune and a vibrant testing ground for alternative ways of being. We provide grants for artists to construct permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary installations, creating an ever-evolving landscape of creativity.

Beyond the festival, Happy Castle is an intentional community that operates year-round, welcoming residents, artists, and visitors to contribute to our shared vision. Our off-grid infrastructure is centered around Superadobe Earthbag domes, permaculture gardens, and sustainable water and energy systems, offering a real-world model for regenerative, low-impact living. We host workshops, skill-shares, and hands-on building projects in topics such as natural construction, rainwater harvesting, DIY solar, permaculture, and more—equipping people with the knowledge and tools to build their own sustainable futures.

We believe in a participatory governance model, where decisions are made through consensus-based processes to ensure collective ownership of our shared space. Our members engage in a rotating labor system that balances practical needs with personal passions, allowing individuals to contribute in ways that align with their strengths and interests.

Happy Castle is not just a commune—it’s an ongoing experiment in rethinking community, economy, and the relationship between art and sustainable living. Whether you come to help build, create art, attend a workshop, or simply experience life outside the confines of modern capitalism, we invite you to join us in shaping this ever-growing project.

For more information, visit our website or come see what we’re building firsthand!

Our Vision

Mission Statement

Happy Castle is an off-grid high-desert eco-village, art space, and experimental community dedicated to sustainability, creative expression, and cooperative living. Our mission is to build a radically accessible alternative to the isolating and destructive systems of modern society by fostering a self-sufficient, artistically vibrant, and ecologically responsible way of life. Through shared resources, hands-on education, entrepreneurship, and participatory culture, we empower individuals to take control of their lives while contributing to something greater than themselves.

At Happy Castle, we believe that sustainable living shouldn’t be a privilege—it should be accessible, replicable, and scalable. By combining permaculture, alternative architecture, and regenerative technologies with art, communal living, and festival culture, we aim to demonstrate new ways of living that reconnect people to each other and the land.

More than just a place to live, Happy Castle is an evolving movement—a living model of what’s possible when creativity, cooperation, and sustainability intersect. Our vision extends beyond our own community, seeking to inspire and support the wider eco-village movement in reshaping the future of human civilization.

Our Mission

Mission Statement

Happy Castle is an off-grid high-desert eco-village, art space, and experimental community dedicated to sustainability, creative expression, and cooperative living. Our mission is to build a radically accessible alternative to the isolating and destructive systems of modern society by fostering a self-sufficient, artistically vibrant, and ecologically responsible way of life. Through shared resources, hands-on education, entrepreneurship, and participatory culture, we empower individuals to take control of their lives while contributing to something greater than themselves.

At Happy Castle, we believe that sustainable living shouldn’t be a privilege—it should be accessible, replicable, and scalable. By combining permaculture, alternative architecture, and regenerative technologies with art, communal living, and festival culture, we aim to demonstrate new ways of living that reconnect people to each other and the land.

More than just a place to live, Happy Castle is an evolving movement—a living model of what’s possible when creativity, cooperation, and sustainability intersect. Our vision extends beyond our own community, seeking to inspire and support the wider eco-village movement in reshaping the future of human civilization.

  • Community type
  • Cohousing
  • Student Co-op
  • Ecovillage
  • Activities
  • Education
  • Services Business
  • Others

Gallery

  • 7 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
  • Open to volunteers
Total
7

How to join

Becoming a member of Happy Castle starts with getting to know the community and our way of life. We encourage prospective members to visit, volunteer, and participate in our Build Days and events to experience the culture firsthand. The membership process includes an application, an interview, and a trial residency period, where applicants can integrate into daily life, contribute to projects, and ensure a good mutual fit.

If you’re interested in joining, visit the How to Join page on our website to apply!

Basic expectations or agreements for members

If you’d like to visit Happy Castle, there are a few ways to experience the project firsthand. Right now, our land is mostly undeveloped, but you can camp on-site and support the community by renting a campsite through Hipcamp. This is a great way to immerse yourself in the desert landscape while directly contributing to the growth of the project.

For those who want to get more involved, we plan to soon begin regularly hosting volunteer Build Days, where visitors can learn hands-on skills in Superadobe construction, off-grid infrastructure, and large-scale art building. These events are a great opportunity to connect with the community, gain valuable experience, and help shape the community from the ground up.

To stay updated on upcoming Build Days, events, and visiting opportunities, check out our website, where we post details on how to participate!

Primary decision-making authority

  • Small Leadership Group

A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.

Governance structure

  • Collaborative/Horizontal

Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

Economic model

  • Partial Income-Sharing

Members contribute a percentage of income to community funds.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a labor obligation

Additional economic information

Labor required: 25 hours/week
Members with pre-existing debt: Yes
Happy Castle isn’t just a community—it’s also a cooperative business enterprise designed to sustain and grow our shared vision. Our primary source of revenue comes from the Happy Castle Art Festival, a large-scale event that funds the development of our infrastructure while showcasing our creative and communal spirit. Beyond the festival, we generate income through ongoing events, workshops, and classes, including Dome School, where we teach hands-on Superadobe building techniques.

Our campground, featuring rentable cabins and immersive art installations, offers visitors a chance to experience off-grid desert community living while directly supporting the project. Over time, we aim to expand our communal ventures, from permaculture and reforestation efforts to craft and product sales, ensuring both sustainability and financial stability.

To support those who contribute their time and labor, we plan to provide a daily stipend to full-time members, covering basic personal needs while keeping individual costs low. However, in our early stages, most incoming members will be responsible for their own room and board, as we rapidly build housing, increase self-sufficiency, and grow our communal income. Aside from funds raised through our Kickstarter campaign and personal commitments of $100,000 from our founders, which will go toward materials and labor costs, the community’s development relies on collaborative effort and shared investment in our future.

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Common House, Greenhouse(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Large Scale Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Gym or sports area

Frequency of communal meals

  • 1-3 times per month

Substance use culture

  • Substance use appears in public spaces but no pressure

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a Land Trust, Home Owners Association, or corporation

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Self-produced energy

  • Over 66%

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%
  • Land area size
    160 acres

Reviews

Location

  • New Mexico, United States

Happy Castle Art Camp

Promoted Needs and Offers

Need
11 months ago

Travel to visit intentional communities with Ecovillage Tours ✈️

Ready to actually visit some communities? Take the next step on your journey towards intentional community living. Join an Ecovillage Tour! ✓ All-inclusive guided trips ✓ Visit a variety of communities, cohousings & ecovillages ✓ Meet community founders & residents ✓ Learn group governance, permaculture, eco-living & more ✓ Make lifelong friends within your traveling group ✓ Transformative adventure awaits! About Ecovillage Tours The only transformative travel experience that brings you to regenerative intentional communities. Find your next home, get guidance on how to start a community, or simply have a values-aligned vacation. www.ecovillagetours.com Upcoming Trips  Vermont | Jul 19–26, 2025   Italy | Sept 30–Oct 9, 2025   Hawaii | Jan 4–11, 2026   India | Feb 26–Mar 12, 2026  Bali | Jan 26–Feb 4, 2026  Costa Rica: Central | Jan 17–24, 2026 Southern | Feb 4–15, 2026 Caribbean | Mar 21–30, 2026 Guanacaste | April 12–21, 2026 See all the pricing, lodging, and itinerary information on the webpage for each tour. Or explore them all at www.ecovillagetours.com/upcoming-tours. Spots on trips are limited and fill up quickly. Book your spot today!   Questions? Email us at [email protected] Call us at +1 (734) 245-8745 Or schedule a 30-min Discovery Call with our team.   We look forward to hearing from you! Excited to journey together soon, —Cynthia Ecovillage Tours, Founder Hear what many past tour participants have to say about their experience:   “For anyone thinking of joining or starting an intentional community, or an ecovillage, this is an absolute must.” — Adam Bates, tour participant       “I had an amazing time on the tour!  It gave me an opportunity to experience things that I could have never done on my own.” — Lobsterbird, tour participant       “It is an experience worth paying for. You get to know places and people who are on the real hands on effort for bringing change and make local ecosystems more resilient.” — Eduardo Bryce, tour participant
Need
  • Communities with Openings
1 year ago

Water Birch Co-op. Urban living in central Denver.

Large, lovely house built in 1900, two blocks from Cheeseman Park in downtown Denver.  5000 square feet. The house was a Buddhist Meditation Center for 20 years before we got it and has lovely, calm vibes. We currently have ten people and have room for one more. We are an intentional community sharing dinners, 3 living rooms, 2 new kitchens and a kitchenette, & 5 baths. Staple food (organic) is bought together. The group is self-regulating as a co-op; it decides together how the house runs. There are chores ;-) Average cost per room is about $1000 ranging from $650 to $1354. Currently available room is $875. We are just finishing renovation of three bedrooms on the third floor  they are $875 each and share our largest, newest bath (shower and separate claw foot tub) and a brand new kitchenette  they all have beautiful windows and lots of light. PLEASE CHECK OUT COMMUNITY LISTINGS FOR MORE INFO. Initial lease for 3-6 months while we and you decide if we are a good fit for each other.  Deposit in the amount of one months rent is required prior to move in.  We do background checks on all members. Utilities are currently $130 per person per month and are all-inclusive.  They will change if costs go up, that amount is insufficient to cover utilities, or more people mean the cost per person goes down.  WiFi is via mesh network from gig-speed fiberoptic service.  Heat is with radiators.  Cooling is evaporative.  We have a storage room in a nearby commercial facility.  And a new large workshop in the garage. Shared food is $125 per month per person; it is a pass-through cost divided evenly among residents; it does NOT include meat or alternative protein nor any alcohol.  We will not be surprised if that needs to go up some soon ($10 or 15). We have two dogs and three cats in the house  that seems like a sufficient quantity of furry friends for now. Our community intentions include: Communication with compassion. Shared space and life. Shared meals. Shared staple foods which are non-GMO and Organic. Group decision making. Safe, inclusive space: queer and trans friendly, anti-racist, non-violent, and feminist. The purchase of the house by the co-op in about five years. The expansion of the co-op, possibly to include other housing types (like separate apartments). Weekly meetings and house committees to manage our community. We are considering implementing Sociocracy as an organizing method. Quiet hours are from 10:00pm to 8:00am. We are looking for community members who: Want to live in a community not just have a place to sleep and eat. Want to live in a beautiful, clean, and organized house and are willing to help make and keep it that way. Residents should expect to spend 16 hours per month towards this goal. Are curious, compassionate, flexible, and open to living with others who will undoubtedly have different ideas about many things. Are interested in pioneering a new co-op. There will be work involved to get there. Are responsible and communicative. Embrace enthusiastically that living in community requires introspection and personal growth. Are not joining the community as a way of running away from something.

Join our newsletter to stay up to date.

By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.

Free Plan

Free plan
Free

Advertise in our Directory

  • Subtotal

    {{ currencyFormat( pricing_summary.total_amount ) }}

Become a + Member

  • Send Direct Messages and see contact information
  • Find communities based on your profile tool
  • Post Needs & Offers Listings and Events
  • Access to resources in the Members Library /// like vetted documents uploaded by communites (e.g. bylaws )
  • Member badge on your profile
  • View communities detailed reviews
  • Create Private Groups