Founded:
2012
Language(s):
English, Nepali, Korean, Hindi
Duration:
1-4 weeks, 1-3 months
Minimum 2 weeks to maximum 3 months

The residency program primarily support the development of projects in a focused environment with effective coordination and management. As we host two distinct residencies, our financial support varies between them; however, both residencies provide artists with the following facilities and services:
- Networking opportunities with the local artistic community of Nepal
- Internet connection
- Weekly cleaning and laundry service
- Assistance in organizing workshops, presentations, and open studio exhibitions
- Documentation and social media promotion
Participants in the “Annual Residency Program for Young Artists” receive the following additional support:
- Accommodation
- Studio space
- Access to Maker's Workshop
- Mentorship
- Assistant or volunteer support for organizing workshops, presentations, and major events and activities
- Gallery rental and opening reception expenses for exhibition

Artists are responsible for the following expenses:
- Visas
- Air tickets
- Accident and Health Insurance
- Art supplies and other materials
- Daily food and transportation
- Mobile phone/SIM card
- Laptop/ computers

Fees for “Fee-Bashed Flexible Residency Program for All”
- Accommodation:
$ 300 (two weeks)
$ 550 (a month)
$ 1050 (two months)
$ 1575 (three months)
- Assistant/ Volunteer ($10- $20 per day – if needed)
- Open studio/ Exhibition ($100- 300)

Application guidelines:

Interested applicants may submit their respective applications (please mention the residency you are applying for in the subject of your email) with the following documents at [email protected] / [email protected]

- Artist’s statement and motivation to participate in the residency program ( 200 words max)
- Recent artist’s portfolio of max 5 projects, 20 slides
- Website/ Social media links
- Short CV/ Biography (two pages max)
- A copy of a valid passport/ citizenship
- A headshot image (for social media/ website use purposes)
- A detailed project plan that should include project title & concept, medium & methods, drawings/ sketches, size & production timeline (optional for fee-based residency applicants)

Application deadline:
Ongoing / apply any time
Deadline:
Reoccurs yearly:
Yes
Ongoing; Nov. 27 for "Annual Residency Program for Young Artists" -
Open call:
yes
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Bikalpa Art Foundation

Bikalpa Art Foundation

BAF
Description

Bikalpa Art Foundation is a dedicated platform for nurturing young artistic talents from around the world. With a commitment to fostering creativity and cultural exchange, they provide a space for emerging artists to thrive. Their Artists in Residence Program was established in 2013 to support artists and creative thinkers of all genres. It was paused for a few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now they are excited to resume it back at a new location newly established Bikalpa Art House, Chobhar, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal.

They offer two distinct residency opportunities:
- An annual funded, six-week program for emerging artists under 30, with a fixed application deadline.
- A flexible, fee-based residency open to all artists year-round.

Through these programs, they aim to provide artists with a creative sanctuary to explore their artistic vision and contribute to the vibrant cultural landscape of Nepal.

The Annual Residency for Young Artists is designed and dedicated to supporting young artists. It has all fixed programs and dates that follows the same every year.

Open Call for Application July- August
Application deadline: November 27
Result Announce: 1st week of January 2025
Residence Program: March 15, 2025 - April 22
Open Studio/ Exhibition: April 25- April 30

The Ongoing Fee-Based Flexible Residency for All is designed for a wider artists' community, offering greater freedom in program and scheduling. It is flexible from a minimum of 2 weeks to a maximum of 3 months depending on the availability of the residence space. Each applicant will be communicated via email.

Bikalpa Art Foundation's (BAF) artists-in-residence program is a cornerstone of their mission to nurture artistic talent and contribute to the vibrant arts ecosystem. By offering both fully funded residencies for emerging artists under 30 and flexible fee-based options for artists of all ages and backgrounds, BAF ensures a diverse and inclusive program that supports a wide range of artistic practices. This dual approach not only supports artistic growth but also contributes to the program's sustainability.

The fully-funded residencies provide a crucial platform for young artists to launch their careers, while the fee-based model expands access to a wider range of artists and generates revenue to support the program's operations and future initiatives. This approach aligns with BAF's broader vision of fostering creativity, cultural exchange, and community engagement. By operating both models, BAF strives to create a balanced and sustainable ecosystem that supports artists at various stages of their careers.

Outcome

The residency program is a place for experimentation, exploration and innovation, and artists are encouraged to share the outcome of the residency with the local community. So, they expect artists with the support of their team to organize artist talk, presentations, workshop and an open studio/ exhibition upon completion at the end of the residency program.

Accommodation Information

The residence accommodations are arranged at the Bikalpa Art House. Residents will be provided with a private suite tiny house that includes a separate washroom and a simple pantry for basic food and drink preparation. Accommodation for “Annual Residency Program for Young Artists” are fully funded whereas residents for “The Fee-Bashed Flexible Residency Program for All” has to consider the following upon the choice of their residency program.

$ 300 (two weeks)
$ 550 (a month)
$ 1050 (two months)
$ 1575 (three months)

Studio Information

Residents will be provided with a shared studio workshop and the maker’s studio. The maker’s studio workshop is equipped with metal and woodworking tools and it will be available to the residents upon an advance booking and approval from the makers' studio workshop's manager.

Location

The residencies take place at the Bikalpa Art House located in Chobhar, within 30 minutes travel time from the center of Kathmandu, a scenic beautiful location with commanding views of both the majestic mountains and overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. It has fine air stunning topography and a major affinity with the Buddhist and Hindu religions from ancient times. It is the location at which the Buddhist celestial Bodhisattva Manjushri (meditational deity) discovered Kathmandu Valley, then a lake. Through Manjushri’s power (including cleaving a gorge at Chobhar, where there are also famous caves) the lake was drained, and in this distant time, the location for what in ages to come to the existence of Kathmandu Valley and its three cities; Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur.

30 to 45 minutes drive from the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu to Bikalpa Art House, Chobhar-6, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal. You may get public transportation, taxi, or a private vehicle from the airport directly. They normally send someone to pick the artists up from the airport.

Contact information
Email
applybac [at] gmail.com
info [at] bikalpaartfoundation.org
Phone
+977 9767472409
Website
https://bikalpaartfoundation.org/