Artist Residency
Who the residency is for, how to apply, what it costs and includes, and what we ask of every resident — in one place.
Executive summary
The Art for Kep Artist Residency Program is a collaborative platform supporting artistic innovation, cultural exchange, and community engagement in Cambodia’s coastal Kep region. Backed by Knai Bang Chatt, Kep West, and expert partners — Satcha, Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF), Kep Music City, and Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) — the program welcomes local and international artists across disciplines through monthly intakes, selecting up to three residents per cycle.
Artists benefit from immersive studios, accommodation, and tailored support, while being encouraged to engage with the community through exhibitions, workshops, and cultural initiatives. Sustainability, cultural immersion, and long-term creative contributions are central pillars of the residency.
A clear application process, strong administrative structure, and collaborative environment ensure a fulfilling artist experience. The program is first and foremost a transformative opportunity for the participating artists — offering them space, visibility, and support — while also enhancing Kep’s role as a hub for artistic excellence and engaging partners and the broader community.
Knai Bang Chatt’s Artist Residency is committed to nurturing creative expression that inspires environmental stewardship and community empowerment. By uniting artists from diverse backgrounds in Kep, Cambodia, we spark meaningful dialogue and drive positive change through collaboration, regenerative travel, and ocean conservation.
Knai Bang Chatt’s Artist Residency values regenerative travel, ocean conservation, and deep community engagement in Kep, Cambodia. We celebrate diversity across all artistic mediums, foster creative exploration, and promote collaboration between local and international artists — empowering them to spark dialogue and inspire positive change for both the environment and the community.
Defining the artist
An artist in our residency is a dynamic creator with a strong track record who uses color, sound, movement, language, and emerging media to craft meaningful, thought-provoking experiences. Our program welcomes participants from every discipline:
We actively encourage traditional, culture-driven approaches and contemporary hybrid or interdisciplinary practices, supporting artists who blend craft, design, technology, and cultural heritage into pioneering expressions. In this space, bold ideas flourish and boundaries are challenged, whether through innovative tech applications, craft and material explorations, architectural concepts, or cultural reinvention.
Program objectives
Our residency programs lay the groundwork for the Ocean Gallery or Underwater Museum, launching in 2026, to help establish Kep as a vibrant hub for culture and the arts.
Program overview
The Art for Kep Artist Residency selects up to 3 artists monthly, offering structured yet intimate cohorts that encourage community and support. Residencies last mostly 2 weeks to 1 month, with flexible durations based on project proposals and anticipated outcomes.
All artists must first register on the Art for Kep website to create an applicant profile. This centralized system manages all applications, communication, and documentation throughout the selection process.
| Fee | Tier 1 · Emerging | Tier 2 · Established international |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | 5 USD | 25 USD |
| Participation fee | 5 USD / day | 10 USD / day |
| Damage deposit on arrivalRefundable if there are no claims | 100 USD | 250 USD |
Application requirements
Fill in your name, email, phone number, and address.
Select whether you are applying as an emerging or established artist.
Describe the specific project or body of work you plan to develop during your residency. Include your chosen medium, key themes, and any materials, space, or resources you will need, and state your proposed length of stay. Explain why you are applying to Art for Kep, what draws you to this location, and what you hope to explore and accomplish.
An up-to-date CV highlighting your professional background, exhibitions, publications, or relevant artistic experience.
Compile the following into a single PDF, in this order:
Eligibility & selection
Artists are selected by our selection committee members with the support of the Art for Kep Steering Group. The committee accepts applications in anonymity, which embodies our dedication to outcomes that are artistically vibrant, environmentally aware, and socially transformative.
Selected artists are experienced professionals with a track record of exhibitions, performances, publications, or institutional collaborations, and demonstrate artistic rigour, conceptual clarity, and technical skill. We consider alignment with the residency’s artistic, environmental, and social values; history of international or professional representation; originality and cultural relevance of past work; and a clear proposal showing potential for community engagement and lasting impact.
Our team includes Cambodian staff fluent in both Khmer and English. To ensure a welcoming and productive residency, we require all participants to have at least basic English for communication and collaboration throughout the program.
What’s included
Open to emerging artists — both local and international — who are early in their careers and not yet represented internationally. The focus is on artistic growth, experimentation, and professional development, free from commercial pressure.
Cambodian and international artists with a strong, established contemporary practice — conceptually bold, critically engaged, and pushing creative boundaries. The focus is on innovative, non-commercial work that fosters artistic exchange and challenges convention within the art community at Knai Bang Chatt.
We do our best to support artists based on individual needs, though some costs may not be covered in full or at all. Once you are accepted, we are happy to help you prepare a sponsorship dossier to support your stay. If fully sponsored, your fees and approved extra costs — like travel, materials, or shipping — can be reimbursed. Our goal is to keep the process transparent, fair, and sustainable for everyone involved.
Deliverables
Artists are invited to share their practice in a format that suits them — an artist talk, online presentation, reading group, or casual peer exchange — making community engagement flexible and welcoming for all disciplines and experience levels.
Gallery representation & exhibition promotionArt for Kep and Knai Bang Chatt do not act as gallery representatives for artists, staying neutral and welcoming to all. Artists can show their work on our grounds in solo or group exhibitions. Our task is to support and promote, with full respect for existing artist–gallery relationships.
In closing
At Art for Kep Artist Residency, we welcome artists who are passionate about contemporary practice and open, innovative expression. Our platform is dedicated to creators who are eager to explore new ideas, challenge conventions, and shape the future of art in Cambodia and beyond.
We’re looking for local and international artists with fresh perspectives and a willingness to experiment, collaborate, and break new ground. If you thrive on creative freedom and want to be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking community, apply to join a residency where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your art can truly flourish.
Annex 1
To ensure a productive, respectful, and safe residency experience, all artists are required to comply with the following throughout their stay.
Annex 2
The Art for Kep Steering Group brings together leaders from five pioneering organizations, each contributing unique expertise to position Kep as a vibrant hub for culture and environmental stewardship in Southeast Asia.
Chairman of Art for Kep and founder of Knai Bang Chatt. A visionary in regenerative hospitality and sustainable tourism, Jef Moons is the driving force behind Knai Bang Chatt and Kep West, recognized for creating platforms that unite culture, creativity, and community benefits.
Managing Director of the Steering Committee. Dedicated to advancing music education and cultural revitalization in Kep, Peter Brongers leads the Steering Committee and is instrumental in fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and the integration of music into Kep’s cultural landscape.
Founder and Executive Director. An innovator in Cambodian design and craftsmanship, Pierre-André Romano spearheads Satcha’s mission to blend heritage arts with modern approaches, empowering local artisans and promoting sustainable creative economies.
Executive Director. With an extensive background in film curation and international cultural programming, Cédric Eloy leads CIFF, a major force in promoting film arts, artistic exchange, and global partnerships in Cambodia. He is also an advisor to the Selection Committee for film.
Pioneers in marine conservation, Paul Ferber as founder and Tanguy Freneat as co-director lead MCC’s groundbreaking work in coral restoration, marine protected areas, and community-based environmental education.
A Cambodian-born artist and scholar whose work bridges memory, identity, and urban transformation. Rooted in a deep connection to her heritage, her art explores cultural resilience, nostalgia, and the ever-shifting landscapes of Cambodia. Her mixed-media creations — from intricate line drawings to textured installations — reflect a dialogue between past and present, tradition and modernity, with exhibitions spanning international galleries and institutions. Her novella, A Few Acres of Snow, follows Chenda, a young Cambodian girl adapting to a new home while piecing together fragmented memories; it was set for publication by Kampu Mera in July 2025.
A trained anthropologist, her research delves into Cambodia’s musical and cinematic history, uncovering lost narratives and amplifying creative communities. She was lead researcher and associate producer of the documentary Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock & Roll, has been executive producer on several other films, and is the author of Faded Reels: The Art of Four Cambodian Filmmakers 1960–1975 (Royal University of Phnom Penh, 2022) and Remnant of the Past: A Filmography of Cambodian Early Cinema (2024). A Fulbright Scholar, she is a professor of sociology and, since 2025, Assistant Dean of the School of Social Sciences at the University of Mount Saint Vincent.
A distinguished art connoisseur and a driving force behind contemporary Cambodian craft and design innovation. He is also the founder and owner of the Sar Modern Art Museum in Siem Reap, celebrated for its commitment to modern and contemporary art from the region. His work blends traditional heritage arts with modern approaches, empowering local artisans and promoting sustainable creative economies.
Reaksmey Yean (George) is a Cambodian art curator, researcher, and educator, Program Director and co-founder of Silapak Trotchaek Pneik. He holds advanced degrees from SOAS and LASALLE College of the Arts, and specializes in contemporary Cambodian art, art criticism, and cultural diplomacy, with significant curatorial and academic experience across Southeast Asia.
Music Program Director and Advisor to the Selection Committee for music, Marc Cholleton curates and oversees the program’s musical direction while guiding the selection of outstanding candidates. With many years in the music world and deep connections across Cambodia’s scene, he brings both a global perspective and a strong local network.
Widely respected for recognizing talent and fostering collaboration among musicians, his role is to ensure artistic excellence and innovation, and to connect the program with Cambodia’s growing community of artists and performers — shaping a music program that is diverse, relevant, and inspiring.
