Open call for applications for Bikalpa International Artists in Residency Program
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, we provide a space for emerging artists to thrive. Our Artists in Residence Program was established in 2013 to support artists and creative thinkers of all genres.
We 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, we aim to provide artists with a creative sanctuary to explore their artistic vision and contribute to the vibrant cultural landscape of Nepal. Join us as we create a dynamic hub for artistic exploration and collaboration.
Category/ Disciplines:
Our residency programs are open but not limited to performance art, multimedia, film/ video, installation, sound, photography, experimental music, and any other forms of visual arts. We also welcome writers, and curators in our residency program.
Eligibility:
We welcome great diversity in participation. However, applicants for annual residency for young artists have to be under 30. Those who wish to participate in duos or groups, must apply separately and enclose a letter of request to work together during the residency.
Deadline and other important dates:
The annual residency for young artists: This residency program is fully funded designed and dedicated to supporting young artists. It has all fixed programs and dates as follows:
- Open Call for Application July- August 2024
- Application deadline: November 27, 2024
- Result Announce: 1st week of January 2025
- Residence Program: March 15, 2025 – April 22, 2025
- Open Studio/ Exhibition: April 25- April 30, 2025
The Feep-Based Flexible Residency for All
The fee-bashed residency 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.
Residency Fees and Other Expences:
Annual residency program for young artists
- Accommodation, mentorship, and open studio/ exhibition opening reception are covered by BAF
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- if needed)
- Visa, Air tickets, transportation, health insurance, daily food, art supplies and other materials
Brief Introduction about our organization:
Bikalpa Art Foundation (BAF) is a non-profit organization, a dynamic platform dedicated to promoting and nurturing the arts. It connects artists, art enthusiasts, and the wider community, fostering a rich environment for artistic expression and exchange. Through our initiatives, we aim to inspire change, drive innovation, and support social and cultural development. Our vision is to inspire individuals to explore, experiment, and engage with art in meaningful ways and we aim to empower artists to push their boundaries, challenge norms, and create lasting impacts on society.
After years of groundbreaking work under the name Bikalpa Art Center (BAC) a social enterprise, the Bikalpa Art Foundation (BAF) was established in 2022 as a non-profit organization. BAC was established in 2013 to promote independent artists and ventures in Kathmandu. The name, Bikalpa means providing an alternative common platform to people of one mind.
Details about the awards offered:
Our residency program primarily supports 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 major events and activities
– Funding for workshops and presentations
– Gallery rental and opening reception expenses for exhibitions
Contact information
Website: https://bikalpaartfoundation.org/
Email: applybac@gmail.com / info@bikalpaartfoundation.org
Phone: +977 9767472409
Some additional important information:
Application Guidelines:
Interested applicants may submit their respective applications (mention the residency you are applying for in the subject of your email) with the following documents at applybac@gmail.com
- 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)
Expected Outcome :
Our 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, we expect artists in support of our team to organize artist talks, presentations, workshops, 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.
Accommodations for the “Annual Residency Program for Young Artists” are fully funded whereas residents for “The Fee-Bashed Flexible Residency Program for All” are responsible for their accommodations.
Studio Information:
Residents will be provided with a shared studio workshop and the maker’s studio. Our 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.
Residency Location:
Our residencies take place at the Bikalpa Art House in Chobhar, within 30 minutes of travel time from central Kathmandu, a scenic, beautiful location with commanding views of 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, a taxi, or a private vehicle from the airport directly. We normally send someone to pick the artists up from the airport.
Google map HERE
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