Best Art Residencies in Asia 2025
Top Residency Programs for Visual Artists
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Asia hosts a diverse array of artist residencies that cater to various creative disciplines, offering unique environments for artistic development. This compilation highlights some of the most esteemed residencies across Asia, detailing their structures, focus areas, and application timelines to assist artists in finding opportunities that align with their practice and aspirations.​
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1. MMCA Residencies (Goyang & Changdong, South Korea)
The MMCA Residency offers a 10-week program for international visual artists, providing live-in studios and fostering engagement with Korea's contemporary art scene through exhibitions and cultural events. Participants receive a private studio with accommodation and a monthly grant of 1,000,000 KRW (approximately $730 USD), totaling 3,000,000 KRW for the entire residency period . Recognized for its integration with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and its emphasis on cross-cultural exchange, MMCA Residency is esteemed as one of Asia's best artist residencies.
Ideal For: Artists seeking institutional support and visibility in South Korea’s influential contemporary art scene.
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Application Deadline: September
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Link: MMCA Residencies Website
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2. ARCUS Artist-in-Residence Program (Ibaraki, Japan)
ARCUS Project offers a 90-day residency from August 29 to November 26, 2025, focusing on research-driven contemporary art practices that engage with local communities and cultural contexts in a tranquil setting near Tokyo. Selected artists receive a private 67.5m² studio, furnished accommodation, round-trip airfare, a stipend of ¥540,000 JPY, and curatorial support. Recognized as Japan’s longest-running international visual arts residency, ARCUS is esteemed for its commitment to fostering critical discourse and cross-cultural
Ideal For: Artists who value in-depth research, community engagement, and a serene setting away from big-city distractions.
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Application Deadline: December and February
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Link: ARCUS website
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#3 Tokyo Arts and Space (TOKAS) (Tokyo, Japan)
TOKAS offers a 3-month residency for international creators in visual art, film, design, and architecture, providing a unique platform for interdisciplinary and experimental projects in Tokyo. Residents receive a private room, shared studio, round-trip airfare, a daily per diem of ¥3,500, and a ¥300,000 project fee. Renowned for its integration with Tokyo's vibrant art scene and emphasis on cultural exchange, TOKAS is one of the top art residency programs in Asia.
Ideal For: Artists seeking an immersive urban experience and exposure to Tokyo’s cutting-edge art scene.
Application Deadline: July
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Link: TOKAS website
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#4 Swatch Art Peace Hotel Artist Residency (Shanghai, China)
The Swatch Art Peace Hotel offers a 3- to 6-month fully funded residency for international artists across disciplines, situated in a historic building on Shanghai’s iconic Bund. Residents are provided with individual accommodation, studio space, daily breakfast, round-trip travel to Shanghai, and visa support, but must cover their own living and material expenses. With over 520 alumni from 58 countries, the program is renowned for fostering cross-cultural collaboration in one of Asia’s most dynamic art hubs.
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Ideal For: Artists seeking an immersive experience in Shanghai's contemporary art scene, with opportunities for cultural exchange and personal artistic growth.
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Application Deadline: Ongoing; applications are accepted year-round.
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Link: Swatch Art Peace Hotel website
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#5 Khoj International Residency (New Delhi, India)
Khoj International Residency offers a 6-week program for mid-career and emerging artists worldwide, fostering experimental, interdisciplinary practices at the intersection of art, craft, design, and technology. Residents receive studio space, accommodation, curatorial support, and a stipend covering daily living expenses and production costs, enabling immersive engagement with New Delhi's vibrant cultural landscape. Renowned for its commitment to critical inquiry and cross-cultural dialogue, Khoj has become one of South Asia’s leading platforms for contemporary art.
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Ideal For: Artists and creative practitioners interested in interdisciplinary exploration of craft, design, and technology within a collaborative and community-engaged environment in New Delhi.
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Application Deadline: July
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Link: Khoj website
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