Córtex Frontal was founded in 2015 in Arraiolos, a town in the Alentejo where rugs have been embroidered by hand since the Middle Ages. It is run by Córtexcult, a non-profit cultural association.

Artists working in the visual arts, textile arts, writing and music live together for a few weeks in a historic house in the centre of town. Each develops their own project at their own pace. The rest happens around the table, in the studios, on trips across the Alentejo and in sessions with the local school. Each residency ends with an open studio.