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Kalanirvana International Art Residency: KIAR, is one of the oldest and most respected artist residency programs in India. Since its inception, Kalanirvana has hosted over 400 artists from more than 50 countries, offering a deeply immersive artistic experience rooted in the rich, diverse, and vibrant cultural fabric of India.
Our residency is not just a studio space – it’s a cultural journey where you live among local families, engage with Indian artists, and explore age-old traditions while creating contemporary, meaningful art. Nestled in the heritage-rich land of Odisha (Eastern India) and with a satellite presence in Hyderabad (South India), Kalanirvana invites artists from all disciplines to step into a transformative space where culture, creativity, and community come together.
Our Residency Programs are as follows :
One World Art Residency : For international Artists [ Non Indian ]
Duration : 15 days to 6 moths [ SEPTEMBER - MARCH : EACH YEAR. Apply minimum 30 days before your starting day of Residency ]
One India Art Residency : For Indian Artists Only
Duration : 10 - 30 days [ APRIL-JUNE : EACH YEAR. Apply minimum 15 days befor your starting day of Residency ]
Writer's India Residency : Dedicated to writers ONLY from any country
Duration : 10 - 30 Days [ NOVEMBER-MARCH : EACH YEAR. Apply minimum 30 days before your starting day of Residency ]
Photo Residency : Dedicated for photographers ONLY from any country
Duration : 7 - 30 Days [ AUGUST-MARCH EACH YEAR. Apply minimum 30 days before your starting day of Residency ]
Culture Residency : To Explore Indian culture for Foreign Nationality
Duration : 15 - 45 days [ SEPTEMBER-MARCH : EACH YEAR. Apply minimum 30 days before your starting day of Residency ]
Mentorship Residency : To Learn specific subject of Art [ Artists from any country ]
Duration : 5 - 12 Days [ APRIL-MARCH : EACH YEAR. Apply minimum 3 days before your starting day of Residency ]
about kiar :
Located in Bhubaneswar, the ancient Temple city of India, KIAR – Kalanirvana International Art Residency – is an independent, artist-run space dedicated to artistic creation, cultural exchange, and experiential immersion in Indian life and tradition. Established in 2011 in Hyderabad and relocated to Bhubaneswar in 2016, KIAR has grown into one of India’s oldest and most respected artist residency programs, curated and managed by internationally recognized curator and multidisciplinary artist Ashis Pahi. Our residency is not just a studio space – it’s a cultural journey where you live among local family to underatand Indian day to day life, engage with Indian artists, and explore age-old traditions while creating contemporary, meaningful art. Nestled in the heritage-rich land of Odisha (Eastern India) and with a satellite presence in Hyderabad (South India), Dehradun ( North India ) and Gujarat ( West India ) Kalanirvana invites artists from all disciplines to step into a transformative space where culture, creativity, and community come together.
Residency Overview
- Founded : 2010 (Program active since 2011)
- Locations : Originally Hyderabad (2011), now based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha (since 2016)
- Type : Artist-Run, Independent Foundation Curated by International Curator and Artist, Ashis Pahi.
- Residency Duration : Flexible stays from 2 weeks to 6 months
- Residents at One Time : Between 4 and 6 artists
- Languages Spoken : English & Hindi [ artists with other languages can apply as it is easy to communicate through google translator and th Curator is very good to communicate and iscooperative.
Disciplines & Mediums We Support
We welcome applications from artists working in a broad range of disciplines:
- Visual artists ( painting, sculpture, mixed media )
- Digital and new media artists
- Textile and Fashion designers
- Writers and poets
- Performance and installation artists
- Filmmakers, photographers, sound artists
- Art historians and curators
- Emerging and established artists from across the globe
Whether you work in traditional techniques or experimental forms, KIAR is a space for creative expansion and experimentation.
Residency Features & Facilities
Accommodation & Common Living Space
- Private Rooms
- Shared Rooms
- Private Cabin or Artist House (limited availability)
- Roof top Tent [ Seasonal ]
Studio & Practice Spaces
- 2 shared art studios Painting & Drawing areas
- Dance/performance rehearsal space
- Woodworking tools & equipment [ Basic cutter, polishing , drilling Machines ]
- Library with art, philosophy, and culture titles [ Limited ]
Amenities
- High-speed WIFI
- Semi-urban green zone setting
- Kitchen access for self-cooking [ common use ]
- Washing Machine [ Common use ]
- Refrizerator [ Common use ]
- Roof top view-zone for Sunrise and sunset
- Common areas
- Weekend open-discussions and art film screenings
- Roof Top Cafe [ in planning stage ]
Cultural Immersion & Artistic Inspiration
At the heart of the Kalanirvana experience is cultural immersion. We organize tailored cultural interactions on demand such as:
Traditional Indian art workshops (Pattachitra, Tribal art)
Visits to local temples, historical sites, and craft villages
Yoga and meditation sessions with certified instructors
Participation in Indian festivals (like Holi, Diwali, Ganesh Festival, Rath Yatra)
Visiting Art, music, dance, craft, tribal, textile festivals depends on time
Waching Bollywood cinema in local theater
Interactive cooking sessions and community feasts
Artist talks, Museum tours, and curated walks
Community art projects with local youth and schools
Exhibition opportunities: Artists staying over 25 days are offered curated exhibitions
You will find yourself surrounded by the colors, textures, rituals, and rhythms of Indian life—elements that will inevitably find their way into your creative practice.
Artists-in-residence are given opportunities to present their work, either through:
Open studio days
Group/solo exhibitions [ Only for Artists who stays 25 days or more ]
Public talks, workshops, or screenings
Publication in residency catalogues
Social media features and media coverage
Listing in India's premier art directory ARTHUBin.com (partnered platform)
Your work created during the residency becomes part of an Kalanirvana international art movement documented and archived with professional care.
Artist talk, open studio, or cultural presentation
Participation in at least one workshop or knowledge-sharing session
Exhibition (for artists in residence for over 25 days)
Cultural and city tour participation (optional but recommended)
Respect for the residency space and shared community ethos
Funding & Support :
KIAR is an independent, artist-run residency, which means artists are required to self-fund their stay. We try our best to support the artists from our capacity in discount of 25-50% on Residenctial fee for selected artists ONLY.
- We provide Official Invitation letter to Artist who are selected for the KIAR ART RESIDENCY and help the artists to apply for any art funding govt. or private organizations.
- We provide semi funding of 25-50% of the actual Residency Fee to selected artists and groups of 3-6 artists applications .
- We also provide Fully Funded of the Residency Fee to our guest artists or CREATIVE individuals for Specific Cultural Exchange Projects from time to time for International collaboration with art gallery or artist residency and art organizations. For this please write us to mail.kalanirvana@gmail.com .
Expenses Covered by KIAR:
- Airport pickup
- Accommodation
- Free Exhibition for the artists staying more than 25 Days [ Optional ]
- Museum Tour
- Studio To work
- Local logistics and cultural tour in and arround Bhubaneswar mentioned in the specific Residency Program.
- Support [ which are part of the residency program only ]
- Free WIFI
- Simple Healthy Local Breakfast [ optional ]
Expenses Covered By Artist :
Air Travel cost to Bhuabneswar and BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY.
Visa fees
- ART materials you can bring with you and can buy at the nearest Art Supply store with a discounted price.
- Project specific aditional costs has to bear by resident artist.
Food (daily indian home made meals can be arranged at low cost as low as 15$USD per day. Lunch+Dinner )
There are restaurants and cafe in walking distance. Also Indian street food, which you can try only with the guidance of the host.
If resident artist want to visit any out station places than Bhubaneswar City or the place is not included in the Residency Program; in that case, the cost has to be born by Artist . [ Residency host will give guidance and information and if the artist want the help of residency one can dicuss with the host to get clarity and cost.]
APPLICATION PROCESS
TIME : SEPTEMBER - MARCH [ every year ]
Open Call — Apply [ Minimum 40 days before your selected date]
Artists can apply directly via our website or email [ mail.kalanirvana@gmail.com ]
with the following:
Artist Statement / Intent
Portfolio or website / Facebook / Instagram page
Preferred residency dates and duration
Project proposal or creative goals (optional, but encouraged)
SELECTION PROCESS
All applications are reviewed by our Art Resident Curator, Ashis Pahi, based on:
Artistic quality and originality
Relevance to our program’s mission
Willingness to engage with the local community and context
We conduct a video Interaction for Artists for better understanding about the Artist residency and the artists intension of application.
KIAR India , Bhubaneswar
Explore Residency options
Explore various options of Art residency available from KIAR, for International and Indian artists. Read the information to select which is best suitable for you.
For international artists from diverse disciplines to immerse themselves in India’s vibrant culture, art, and architecture. Experience the essence of the world’s oldest civilization, engage with local traditions, and find inspiration in timeless heritage. This unique residency fosters cross-cultural exchange, creativity, and global artistic dialogue in the heart of India.
We invite Indian artists of different disciplines to explore Indian culture, subjects, issues and essences. ONE INDIA Residency encourages creative experiments, cultural dialogue, and exchange of ideas, empowering artists to connect tradition with innovation and present India’s artistic spirit to the world. Perfect for artists seeking growth, collaboration, and global exposure.
Writer's India Residency : Dedicated to writers ONLY from any country Duration : 10 - 30 Days [ NOVEMBER- MARCH : EACH YEAR. Apply minimum 30 days before your starting day of Residency ] FOR FEES CLICK HERE. Kalanirvana provides a comfortable, artist-friendly stay designed to support focused writing and creative exchange. The residency offers three well-maintained rooms, available for single or double sharing based on availability. Residents have access to an open kitchen, a peaceful rooftop space, and a vibrant common area integrated with an art gallery, encouraging interaction, readings, and informal discussions.
Key highlights include interaction with eminent local writers, participation in curated literary meets, readings, and discussions, and the opportunity to be part of the prestigious Kalinga Literary Festival (January). Writers from all genres—fiction, poetry, non-fiction, translation, and research—are welcome.
