Painting Residencies in India

Art Junction Residency

Udaipur, India

Art Junction Residency is an independent, non-profit artist residency program located in the rural village of Badanga near Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, founded in to foster cultural exchange, creative exploration, and collaboration among emerging and established artists from diverse backgrounds. It offers short to medium-term stays in eco cottages with shared studios, supporting a wide range of disciplines including visual arts, performance, new media, and more, while hosting community workshops, exhibitions, and public talks. The program emphasizes immersion in a peaceful natural environment to encourage experimentation and dialogue with local culture.

Centre d’Art

Auroville, India

Centre d’Art, located in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India, offers an inspiring two-month artist residency program each year. The residency provides artists with the opportunity to focus on their creative work while immersing themselves in Auroville’s serene environment, vibrant community, and natural beauty. Participants receive accommodation, lunch at a community kitchen, access to an e-bike, and curatorial support while being encouraged to bring their own art supplies. Collaborative projects and public engagement are highly valued, and the program culminates in an exhibition showcasing the resident artist’s work and experience. As a cultural hub, Centre d’Art also hosts exhibitions, workshops, and educational activities, contributing to Auroville’s ethos of unity and creative expression. This residency is ideal for artists seeking inspiration from nature, meaningful connections, and the unique lifestyle of Auroville.

Farm Studio

Andore Village, Rajasthan, India

Farm Studio International Artist Residency in Rajasthan, India, offers artists from all disciplines an opportunity to develop their work in a rural community setting. Founded to foster creative exchange, dialogue, and collaboration between Indian rural artists and international contemporary artists, Farm Studio supports community-based activities and celebrates local cultural identity. The residency provides accommodation, meals, studio spaces, and an exhibition opportunity, encouraging experimentation and intercultural exchange. Artists are responsible for their travel, visa, and personal expenses. The program hosts residencies from October to the end of February each year, accommodating 3-6 artists at a time.

Farside Collective

Ladakh, India

Farside Collective is an artist-run studio and project space in Sankar village, Leh, Ladakh, India, offering short (2 weeks) and long (1-2 month) residencies for artists, writers, and designers to live in their house and produce work around themes, with access to studios equipped for printing, zine making, and more. The program emphasizes contemporary arts, graphic design, photography, films, and printed matter like artist books and zines, including community feedback, exhibitions, and pop-up shows. Open calls occur in January/February, with rolling applications in summer (May-October).

Greenmeadows Vagamon

Vagamon, India

Greenmeadows Vagamon is an artists residency program run by Palette People, a charitable trust, located in the scenic hill station of Vagamon, Kerala, India, offering a serene natural setting for creative individuals including writers, artists, musicians, performers, theatre and film personalities, as well as nature lovers and environmentalists. Established in , it provides shared accommodation, a spacious studio of around 1200-1500 sq ft, open spaces in rolling meadows, and facilities like a caretaker, cook, and kitchen, with stays typically ranging from 10 days to 3 months on a fee-paying basis. Artists can optionally exhibit their works for free in Palette People's galleries in Kochi.

Khoj International Artists Association

New Delhi, India

Khoj International Artists’ Association, founded in 1997 in New Delhi, India, is a not-for-profit organization that incubates experimental, interdisciplinary, and critical contemporary art practices through residencies, exhibitions, and community projects. It offers various residency programs like the annual four-week Peers Residency for recent art graduates, international exchanges typically lasting 4-6 weeks, and specialized residencies focusing on themes such as urban density, mental health, and expanded craft. Khoj provides studio spaces, curatorial support, networking opportunities, and public events to foster artistic growth and cross-cultural dialogue.

Kriti Gallery Residency

Varanasi, India

Kriti Gallery Artist Residency in Varanasi, India, is an unstructured, free program founded in - by Navneet Raman to foster cultural dialogue among international artists, locals, and the historic city. It provides private studios in a lush garden setting 3-4 km from the Ganges, accommodating artists across disciplines for 1-3 months year-round with no deadlines or exhibition requirements. Now part of Banaras Cultural Foundation, it supports over 200 artists from 26 countries through stays, workshops, exhibitions, and interactions.

Mumbai Artists in Residence (MAIR) by APRE Art House

Mumbai, India

APRE Art House, founded by Prerna SM Jain in 2016, is a contemporary art gallery and artist residency program located in Mumbai, India. The gallery is known for its innovative and pioneering exhibitions across diverse media and genres. With a physical space of 12,000 sq. ft. in Colaba and an additional 16,000 sq. ft. residency facility near Mumbai International Airport, APRE supports both established and emerging artists. The residency, Mumbai Artists in Residence (MAIR), offers an immersive eight-week program for visual artists, live artists, and curators, providing mentorship, professional development, and exposure to Mumbai’s vibrant art culture. APRE Art House also engages in robust outreach programs, including panel discussions, performances, and screenings, fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts.

NIV Art Centre

New Delhi, India

NIV Art Centre, established in in New Delhi, India, is an independent interdisciplinary cultural organization offering artist residencies focused on contemporary visual art practices including painting, sculpture, installation, mixed media, and experimental work. The NIV International Artist Residency is a two-week program from May 1-15, providing accommodation, meals, basic art materials, local visits, an artist talk, and a group exhibition for selected artists from Asia. It also hosts specialized programs like the NIV Film Residency and accommodations for artists, writers, and researchers.

Picasso Pupils is an art residency program organized by Picasso Pupils An Art Society in Shillong, Meghalaya, India, bringing professional visual artists from around the world to rural North-East India for one month to immerse in local culture, nature, and create artworks. Participants lead workshops with school children, interact with local artists, explore sites like root bridges, and conclude with a public exhibition of their works. Past editions, such as Artists' Point and , were hosted near Shillong and supported by local education and tourism authorities.

Studio Dragonfly

Baroda, India

Studio Dragonfly is an artist residency program in Baroda, India, run by practicing artists to foster cultural exchange, collaboration, and time for artistic reflection, primarily offering ceramic and painting residencies with options for writers, photographers, and architects. Located in the vibrant art hub of Baroda with over 1000 artists, it provides equipped studios, materials, accommodation, and a helper, with flexible stays from 4-12 weeks or up to 180 days and a fee of around $1300 per month. Participants are encouraged to interact with local artists, with open studios or exhibitions possible for longer stays.

Artist-run residential studios for visual artists, curators, writers, and those working with new media. Provides workspace, accommodation, and cultural exchange opportunities. Exhibitions held at end of residency term.

Utsha

Bhubaneswar, India

The Utsha Residency, based in Bhubaneswar, India, is a platform for creative minds across diverse disciplines to collaborate, reflect, and create work that engages with complex cultural and social discourses. Established in 2012, the residency has hosted artists, poets, scholars, and writers from around the world, fostering an environment that encourages exchange and interaction between local and international participants. Utsha offers three residency models: individual, group, and collaborative. The program is designed to support artists working in multiple disciplines by providing a tailored, facilitated environment that promotes creative growth. The residency is part of the Utsha Foundation’s broader mission to promote the contemporary art practices of Odisha while facilitating cross-cultural interactions through workshops, exhibitions, and other cultural events. Utsha’s commitment to nurturing emerging and established talent makes it a valuable space for artists seeking a stimulating environment in which to expand their practice.

Vice~Versa Foundation

Goa, India

The Vice~Versa Foundation Artist-in-Residence Fellowship Program in Goa, India, offers a unique opportunity for visual artists, curators, and writers to immerse themselves in creative work within the serene and culturally rich environment of Goan Heritage Houses. This program is designed for both emerging and established professionals from around the world, providing a space for innovation, reflection, and the development of a significant body of work. Residents are accommodated in private suites within Indo-Portuguese heritage homes, equipped with modern amenities and surrounded by the historical and artistic richness of Goa. The fellowship includes a monthly stipend, studio space, and access to a library, kitchen, and laundry facilities, promoting a self-sufficient and contemplative creative process. The program emphasizes the care of the residency spaces and the engagement with the local cultural tapestry. With options for four or eight-week residencies, the program supports artists in their professional growth while encouraging the exploration of Goa's unique cultural and artistic landscape.