Painting Residencies in Kenya

Green Heart Kilifi is a master planned regenerative town on the Kenyan coast, set between Takaungu Creek and Kilifi Creek. It is rooted in one founding question: what if we do things a little differently? We're now running a self-funded residency for artists, researchers and innovators. Time and space to think, make, research, or simply step out of the usual and into a place putting these ideas into practice. We are excited to welcome ideas with a focus on green innovation, encouraging work with local, reclaimed or recycled materials such as wood, glass and seaweed. Fee: USD 500 per week (residents cover their own meals, travel, materials, insurance and visas). How to apply: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Email jo@greenheartkilifi.life with the subject "Green Heart Residency Application," including a CV, a portfolio (PDF, max 10MB), a 300 to 500 word project statement, proposed dates, and one reference. Full details: https://art.greenheartkilifi.life/residency.html

Kuona Trust

Nairobi, Kenya

Kuona Trust Arts Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, is a non-profit organization founded in 1995 that supports visual artists through studio spaces, residencies, exhibitions, and educational programs focused on contemporary art and community engagement. It offers residencies to artists from around the world in any medium, typically selecting two per year, with opportunities for up to two months stay, studio access, and culminating in exhibitions where one artwork is donated to the centre's collection. The program emphasizes cultural exchange, collaboration, and immersion in Nairobi's vibrant art scene, with facilities including individual studios, workshops for wood, blacksmithing, sculpture, and printmaking.

Studio Verde

Puerto Maldonado, Peru

Studio Verde offers multidisciplinary artist residencies that blend art, science, and environmental conservation across various global locations, including the Peruvian Amazon, Zambia, and Kenya. These immersive programs invite artists, curators, and designers to collaborate with local experts and eco-guardians, exploring the unique environmental and cultural challenges faced in these regions. Through a combination of workshops, field research, and hands-on experiences, participants engage in ecological restoration efforts, climate change mitigation, and community engagement, all while creating impactful artistic narratives that inspire environmental action. Studio Verde’s residencies focus on deep cultural immersion, with opportunities to learn from Indigenous knowledge and local conservation practices. While these are self-funded residencies, Studio Verde provides guidance in securing external funding. The organization supports the creation of art that bridges the gap between creative expression and scientific inquiry, ultimately fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and cultural exchange.