Residency 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, 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.

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.

Bikalpa has been actively engaged in raising awareness and advocating through artistic expression in various forms of art and non-formal educational programs since our inception. We have conducted a series of fellowships, international residency programs, art festivals, exhibitions, community art projects, and numerous dialogues on social, cultural, and civic issues.

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. 

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 Fees and Other Expenses:

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

Paid by Host:

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

Paid by Artists:

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 (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

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

Contact information:

Website: https://bikalpaartfoundation.org/
Email: applybac@gmail.com / info@bikalpaartfoundation.org
Phone: +977 9767472409

Location
Kathmandu, Nepal