About KALANIRVANA INTERNATIONAL ART RESIDENCY (KIAR)
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.
Note: We do not entertain racist, colonialist, ethnocentric, ableist, sexist, misogynistic/misandrist or homophobic language or mindset.
Why KIAR Residency ?
Women-Friendly Environment
A respectful and supportive environment designed to encourage women artists and independent creative practice.
Project Support
Artists developing research-based, conceptual, photographic or multidisciplinary projects can receive practical support during their residency.
Exhibition Opportunities
Artists stays more than 25 days may have opportunities to present or exhibit their work through Kalanirvana's exhibition and artistic programs. [ conditiions apply ]
International Networking
Residency participants can interact with artists and creative practitioners from India and around the world and can be part of the KIAR Global ART Network : GAN
Expenses Covered by KIAR
- Airport pickup from Bhubaneswar Airport to KIAR.
- Accommodation [ single / double ]
- Simple Healthy Local Indian Breakfast + Lunch [ complementary / optional ]
- Nice airy Studios To work [ 1. Roof Top 2.Indoor ]
- Free High Speed WIFI
- Open kitchen to make your own food, breakfast, coffe, tea etc if yoy want.
- Common Refrizerator and Washing machine for use.
- Free Exhibition for the artists staying more than 25 Days [ Optional ]
- Museum Tour [ Tribal Museum, Craft & Textile Museum, Museum of Natural Science, Odisha State Museum ]
- Cultural tour [ Indian festivals, classical dance, music, bollywood film in local theater, monuments and architectures in and arround Bhubaneswar ] mentioned in the specific Residency Program.
- Local logistics for your project [ artist has to bear the cost but we provide information and guidance and support ]
- Project Support [ project approved by the residency during your application only ]
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.
- Dinner (daily Indian home made meals can be arranged at low cost as low as 8$USD per day. Dinner)
- There are restaurants and cafe in walking distance. Also Indian street food, which you can try [ Please take guidance from host for having street food. Recomended ]
- If resident artist want to visit any out station places than Bhubaneswar City or the place which is not included in the Residency Program; in that case, the cost has to be born by Artist.
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 ONLY to our INVITED 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