Five of India’s Best Artist Residencies

Are you an Artist that wants to work in India or learn from Indian artists? Asia Options has put together a shortlist of five of the best artist residencies in India. If you want to find a way to collaboratively engage with Indian artist communities, and learn from some of the best, keep reading!

Khoj

From its humble beginnings in 1997 as a series of workshops, Khoj has now established itself as a not-for-profit contemporary arts organisation in New Delhi. It has been foundational in the development of the South Asian contemporary arts community and has hosted over four hundred international artists. It focuses on the development of experimental, interdisciplinary and critical contemporary art practice. This boundary-pushing has lead to an intensely collaborative work environment where art, science, fashion, and architecture collide.

Khoj runs an incredibly wide variety of residencies, ranging from gaming and performance art to bookmaking. Their international residencies page is frequently updated. Residencies are usually four to six weeks, or up to two months for their curatorial residencies. For general residencies, Khoj provides artists’ studios, twin share room accommodation, covers production expenses and a small stipend. For curatorial residencies, Khoj covers the same but also pays for return flights.

To apply, check the international residencies page to find an open call. To apply, you will need to submit a CV, three writing samples or a postgraduate thesis, documentation of past work and two recommendation letters. To find out more ways to get involved with Khoj, drop them a line at [email protected] or call them on +91-11-65655873/74.

Artinn Jaipur Centre

Artinn Jaipur is probably one of the most accessible artist programs in India. Run like a bed and breakfast, artists can book a room (single bed $50, double bed $68) and have access to private and shared studios, meals, workshops and excursions to local villages. At its core, Artinn is about mutual exchange between local and international artists and works to give artists in the community an additional source of income.

Founded in 2010, Artinn is headed and run by women and specialises in creative writing, sculpture, ceramics, textile art and block printing. Anyone can stay at Artinn but for a more formal residency of between one and three months, you can apply for a small stipend. There are six rooms with a total capacity of between 10-12 guests, and partners and children are welcome. In return for the opportunities provided, artists are expected to present their work, lead a workshop, exhibit or donate artwork.

Harkat Studios

Located in Andheri West, Mumbai, Harkat Studios is a hub for storytellers from a variety of backgrounds. With a strong focus on filmmaking and creative writing, the Studios offer residencies for writers, filmmakers, and graphic designers. They provide shared studio space and a daily vegetarian lunch along with assistance getting to know local production houses and film material suppliers.

Harkat Studios will help residents set up rental accommodation in the vicinity and also to ‘get to know’ the local storytelling community. Residencies cost $150 per month, but you can stay for as little as two weeks and even just pay for a ten-day pass! To apply, just submit an outline of your proposed work and examples of previous work.

Raghurajpur International Art/Culture Exchange (RIA/CE)

Not far from Bhubaneswar in Odisha, the artists’ village of Raghurajpur is the setting for the renowned Raghurajpur International Art/Culture Exchange. This program is a five-week intensive residency that focuses on teaching traditional Odishan craft techniques. Up to twenty artists at a time will have the opportunity to take master classes in palm leaf carving, coconut straw toy making, traditional theater and metal casting.

Artists will be provided with a shared studio space, vegetarian meals, and accommodation and are encouraged to join nightly artist forums. In return, they will be asked to lead a workshop or class and take part in the final exhibition at a contemporary art gallery in Bhubaneswar. To take part, submit your CV, a 200-word artist statement, 200-word cover letter and six digital images that represent your work. Selection is by committee and if you are selected the program charges $2,037 for the five-week program.

Asialink Arts

Asialink Arts is an Australian program designed to develop opportunities for cultural exchange between Australia and Asia, improving the knowledge skills and networks of the cultural sector through collaboration and reciprocity. One of their most successful initiatives has been their Residency Program that provides grants for Australian artists to engage in professional development through residencies across Asia. Grants are for between $6,000 to $12,000 for 6-12 week residencies. Residencies can be of two types: Self-initiated residencies where you make prior contact with an organisation and obtain a letter of support, and Asialink Host Partner residencies with established relationships.

Asialink’s Host Partners in India are Teamwork, Centre for Australian and New Zealand Studies, Kriti Gallery, Sanskriti Foundation and 1. Shanthiroad. Applications for 2017 have closed, but applications for 2018 will open in late August. Applicants can make only one application a year and must choose one residency model. They must provide a CV and a 500-word proposal along with the application form that will be accessed from the application page.

For more information on opportunities in India, check out:

• India’s five best literature festivals and how you can get involved

• Best Indian cities to study, work and lives

• How to find accommodation and housing in India