One World Residency

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. The 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.

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 Supported

KIAR welcomes 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. They 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.

Showcase & Visibility

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.

What Is Expected from Resident Artists

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

Requirements

SELECTION Process

All applications are reviewed by our Art Resident Curator, Ashis Pahi, based on:

Artistic quality and originality
Relevance to the program’s mission
Willingness to engage with the local community and context
They conduct a video Interaction for Artists for better understanding about the Artist residency and the artists intension of application.Respect for the residency space and shared community ethos

Application Instructions

Application Process
TIME: SEPTEMBER - MARCH [ every year ]
Open Call — Apply [ Minimum 40 days before your selected date]
Artists can apply directly via the 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)

Apply Directly Now
Download Registration FORM [ link : https://kalanirvana.com/kiar-india ]