ChrysArte Pakistan Residency

Immerse yourself in Pakistan's majestic northern landscapes, engaging with local communities and traditional craftsmanship.

Overview

Step into the heart of South Asia’s vibrant contemporary art scene. ChrysArte invites visual artists, researchers, and creators from around the globe to an immersive, fully managed 6-week residency in Pakistan.

Designed for artists seeking either raw creative isolation, deep urban immersion, or dedicated time for their artistic practice while experiencing Pakistan through its places, people, art and culture. Developed in partnership with contemporary artist and curator Qasim Bugti, the program provides a structured framework for deep studio practice, critical dialogue, and professional engagement within South Asia’s contemporary art ecosystem.

The residency accommodates two distinct approaches to production: a sustained urban engagement within the cultural landscape of Lahore or Karachi, or a hybrid itinerary that splits the duration between the remote geography of Northern Pakistan and the city.

Whether you choose to create in the breathtaking landscapes of Northern Pakistan or the bustling cultural alleyways of the city, you will be fully supported by a dedicated team handling every detail of your logistics, allowing you to focus entirely on your practice.

Choose Your Track

Track A: The Mentorship & Incubation Track ($2,000 USD)

Prioritize experimentation, technical growth, and unpressured creative research.

Focus: Deep conceptual development, studio exploration, and cultural research.
The Experience: 6 weeks of uninterrupted studio time, intensive peer exchange, and regular one-on-one curatorial crits with Qasim Bugti.
Outcome: A completely transformed body of work, a deeply expanded global perspective, and casual studio visits with local curators, artists and academic figures to integrate your work into the regional discourse free from the stress of a looming public deadline.

Track B: The Exhibition & Market Launch Track ($2,500 USD)

Launch your commercial and institutional presence in the thriving South Asian art market.

Focus: Rigorous studio production culminating in a professional public showcase.
The Experience: 4 weeks of uninterrupted studio time with continuous, rigorous one-on-one crits and guidance from curator Qasim Bugti, 1 week of curatorial preparation/catalog design, and 1 week of full-service exhibition production managed by our curatorial team.
Outcome: A curated public exhibition at a premier, established gallery in Lahore. We handle your opening night PR, invite prominent local collectors, art critics, and institutional curators, and offer a highly artist-protective 10% gallery sales commission so you keep the rewards of your labor.

To best serve your studio needs, we offer two distinct pathways designed around your current professional goals:

The Hybrid Itinerary

Artists on either track may choose to divide their residency into two distinct phases:

Phase I (Weeks 1–4): Studio production and research in a remote mountain location in Northern Pakistan.
Phase II (Weeks 5–6): Transition to Lahore for urban dialogue, curatorial adjustments, final studio execution and public programming/exhibition execution.

(Note: All domestic cross-country transit and artwork transport between the North and Lahore are managed and covered by the residency).

Provisions & Hospitality

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

Accommodation: Twin-share rooms (separate beds, en-suite bathroom)
Meals: Three locally sourced daily meals provided throughout the duration of the program.
Workspace: A dedicated, individual studio space within the residency facilities.
Mentorship: Scheduled studio critic and contextual guidance led by Qasim Bugti.
Local Programme: Curated visits to galleries, museums, exhibitions, studios, cultural sites and other places relevant to the location.
Artist Connections: Introductions and opportunities to meet Pakistani artists, curators and other members of the local art community.
Cultural Visits
Opportunities to experience the local culture and surroundings beyond the residency space.
Local Support: ChrysArte support throughout the residency, including orientation and assistance with the local programme.
Documentation: Photographic documentation of the residency and selected programme activities.
Transit: All internal daily transportation, and domestic travel between regional sites.
Presentation: Where appropriate to the individual session, an open studio, artist talk or presentation of the residents' practices.
Production (Exhibition Track Only): Gallery venue, curatorial oversight, archival catalog, and opening-night public relations.

Excluded costs: International airfare, visa costs, studio materials, and personal discretionary expenses.

Provisions & Hospitality

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

Accommodation: Twin-share rooms (separate beds, en-suite bathroom)
Meals: Three locally sourced daily meals provided throughout the duration of the program.
Workspace: A dedicated, individual studio space within the residency facilities.
Mentorship: Scheduled studio critic and contextual guidance led by Qasim Bugti.
Transit: All internal daily transportation, and domestic travel between regional sites.
Production (Exhibition Track Only): Gallery venue, curatorial oversight, archival catalog, and opening-night public relations.

Excluded costs: International airfare, visa costs, studio materials, and personal discretionary expenses.

Application Requirements

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

Digital Portfolio: A single PDF containing up to 10 images of recent work with full captions (title, medium, dimensions, year).
Artist Statement: Your conceptual focus and motivation.
Curriculum Vitae: Detailing your professional history.
Project Proposal: A brief outline of your objectives during the 6–week period, including your preferred track (Research or Exhibition) and itinerary structure (Lahore-only or Hybrid).

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

Studio Space

Every participating artist has access to a dedicated studio space within the residency accommodation.

The studio is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing artists to establish their own working hours and develop their work without a prescribed studio schedule.

The programme is designed for sustained practice rather than a short production period. Artists have five weeks to develop their work.

Final Exhibition

The Pakistan Residency is intended for artists who want to develop a substantial body of work. The direction, subject and medium of the work remain the artist's own.

The residency does not impose a common theme or require artists to respond to a predetermined brief.

What is required is that participating artists develop a body of work during the residency and present it in the final exhibition.

The residency concludes with an exhibition presenting the work developed by participating artists. The exhibition is an integral part of the programme rather than an optional outcome. Artists are expected to complete and present a body of work developed during their residency period.

Funded Seats

Two artists are selected for fully funded places in each residency session.

For these artists, ChrysArte covers the residency-related costs of:

Accommodation
Studio space
Meals
Local transportation
Residency fee

Funded artists remain responsible for their international flights, visa costs, travel insurance, art materials, airport transfers and personal or extracurricular expenses.

Self Funded Participation

Artists who are not selected for a funded place may participate on a self-funded basis.

Residency fee: USD 2,000

The fee covers:

Shared accommodation
Dedicated studio space
Meals
Local transportation
Residency programme
Final exhibition
Invitation letter for visa application

International flights, travel insurance, art materials, airport transfers and personal or extracurricular expenses are not included.

Programme Details

Duration
Minimum 4 weeks · Maximum 3 months

Format
Annual open call · 2 residency sessions per year

Capacity
Up to 10 artists per session

Funded Places
2 artists per session

Self-Funded Residency Fee
USD 2,500

Disciplines
Open to visual artists across disciplines

Age / Career Stage
No restrictions

Accommodation & Daily Provisions

Shared accommodation is provided for all participating artists.

The residency also includes:

Meals
Local transportation
Dedicated 24/7 studio space

Airport arrival and departure transfers are not included.

Body of Work & Exhibition

The ChrysArte Pakistan Residency has a defined artistic outcome.

Participating artists are required to develop a body of work during the residency and present the work in a final exhibition.

The subject, medium and direction of the work remain determined by the artist's own practice.

Who can apply

The programme is open to international visual artists across disciplines.

There are no restrictions based on age or career stage.

Application Requirement

Applicants are required to submit:

Portfolio
CV
Artist statement
Motivation for applying

Visa

ChrysArte provides an invitation letter to accepted artists for the purpose of supporting their visa application.

Visa approval is subject to the relevant authorities.

What artists cover

Regardless of whether an artist is funded or self-funded, the following remain the artist's responsibility:

International flights
Travel insurance
Art materials
Airport arrival and departure transfers
Personal and extracurricular expenses

Final Exhibition

Each residency session concludes with an exhibition of the work developed by participating artists during the programme.

Participation in the final exhibition is a required part of the residency.

Location

The location changes between residency sessions.

Artists may indicate their preferred working environment as part of their application.

Those seeking a quieter or more isolated setting may express a preference for a northern location, while artists who prefer to work within a more active cultural environment may indicate a preference for Lahore.

Final location placement is determined by ChrysArte based on the residency programme, available location and the requirements of the participating artists.

Locations

ChrysArte does not operate from a single permanent residency site.

Each session is hosted in a different location in Pakistan, allowing artists to experience different artistic, cultural and geographical contexts across the country.

The location, dates, duration, facilities, programme and residency fee are announced with each call.

Some of the locations are: