ChrysArte Kohsar Residency

Overview

ChrysArte is deeply committed to supporting the regional creative ecosystem. Alongside our international cohorts, we offer dedicated residency placements for Pakistani visual artists, researchers, and cultural practitioners.

Developed in partnership with our partner residency Collective 55 and its founder, contemporary artist and curator Qasim Bugti, this intensive 20-day residency takes place entirely in the inspiring landscapes of Northern Pakistan. this program provides creators the time and space to evolve their conceptual depth without the stress of immediate studio deadlines, culminating in a professional contemporary gallery showcase. By separating the research phase from active physical production, artists have the freedom to fully develop their projects independently before bringing them to the public.

Program & Fees

Open to artists across all visual mediums and career stages who want to focus on deep concept incubation, benefit from intensive professional critique, expand their professional presence, and present their work to active collectors, and contemporary art market.

• Program Fee: 80,000 PKR

Note: Placements for this track are highly competitive. For this specialized rate, artists are responsible for providing their own specific art materials and any personal production overhead.

To remain highly accessible to the local artistic community, our fee structure is set strictly at operational cost:

Timeline

Phase I: The Incubation & Mentorship Period (20 Days)

• Location: Northern Pakistan (Specific destination finalized per session)

• The Experience: 20 days dedicated exclusively to critical research, environmental dialogue, network building, and continuous one-on-one curatorial mentorship with Qasim Bugti.

• Focus: Developing project ideas, gathering visual or contextual material, and mapping out the trajectory of a new body of work.

Phase II: Home Studio Production & Exhibition (1 to 2 Months)

• Location: The Artist’s Personal Studio Space

• The Experience: Upon completing the 20-day northern phase, artists return to their own spaces for 1 to 2 months to execute and finalize their artworks independently.

• The Culmination: Following the production window, the residency brings the cohort back together to execute a curated contemporary gallery exhibition in Lahore, Karachi or Islamabad. 

Provisions & Hospitality

To allow residents to focus exclusively on their practice, the program fee provides comprehensive logistical infrastructure:

Accommodation
Shared rooms for all participants for the complete residency period

Meals
Three locally sourced daily meals provided throughout the duration of the program.

Workspace
Every artist has 24/7 access to a dedicated workspace within the accommodation, providing room for research, drawing, and brainstorming.

Mentorship
Continuous, scheduled studio crits, concept reviews, and professional guidance led by Qasim Bugti.

Cultural Visits
Opportunities to experience the local cultural sites, surroundings and other places relevant to the location beyond the residency space.

Transit
All internal travel between regional northern sites during the 20-day program.

Exhibition
Comprehensive gallery venue setup, curatorial layout oversight, archival catalog design, and opening-night public relations. To protect our artists, ChrysArte operates on a 40% gallery sales commission.

Who can apply

The program is open to Pakistani visual artists across all creative disciplines and career stages. We encourage applications from artists who are looking to expand their professional presence, engage in rigorous critical dialogue, and benefit from structured mentorship. We welcome raw, fresh perspectives alongside experienced practices, placing no restrictions on age, style, or academic qualifications.

Application Requirements

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please submit the following components via email:

1. Digital Portfolio: A single PDF containing up to 10 images of recent work with full captions (title, medium, dimensions, year).

2. Artist Statement: Your conceptual focus and motivation.

3. Curriculum Vitae: Detailing your professional history.

No Application Fee: We believe in an accessible review process. Applications are free.

Apply Now

Please complete your submission using the layout below. Email your application materials directly to our curatorial team. Ensure you CC the secondary address listed below to guarantee your submission is logged immediately.

• To: chrysartegallery@gmail.com

• CC: collective55residency@gmail.com

• Subject Line: ChrysArte Kohsar Residency Application – [Your Full Name]
  

Attachments Checklist:

1. Digital Portfolio (Single PDF, Max 10 images)

2. Artist Statement & Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Full Name:

• Contact Number / WhatsApp:

• Email Address:

• Current City of Residence:

• Website / Professional Art Instagram Link:

• Digital Portfolio (Single PDF, Max 10MB)

• Artist CV (PDF)

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that this is a fee-based residency and agree to the program fee requirements, comprehensive Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Policy upon selection.