On Diwali night in November 1997, twelve Indian artists and ten international artists came together for a workshop in Modinagar, near Delhi. They wanted to create a space for artists from different parts of the world, like Africa and Latin America, to share ideas and support each other’s cultural growth. This gathering led to the formation of Khoj International Artists’ Association, a non-profit group dedicated to helping artists in India and beyond.
Over the years, Khoj has supported many artist networks. In 2003, they began a program called Peers Residency. This program helps young art students who have just graduated. Each year, a small group of students gets a month-long residency at Khoj, which moved to Khirkee, Delhi. They are encouraged to explore, try new things, and even fail, as this is part of learning. Pooja Sood, the director and founder, believes in giving artists the chance to meet experienced artists and receive valuable feedback.
After 20 years of this program, Pooja talks about its impact on the art scene and hopes for the future. The goal has always been to support artists who have unique styles. Khoj reaches out to art colleges and receives many applications—300 each year! They choose four or five artists to join, and for others on the waitlist, there’s a Peers Share program. This allows them to meet senior artists and gain constructive feedback.
Running a residency is not easy. There are now many programs, and some offer better resources and funding. Khoj relies on its location in Khirkee, where artists can connect with the local community. They also take risks by exploring new ideas, like gaming residencies, which were once met with resistance but turned out to be successful.
However, Khoj faces challenges, especially with funding. They have had support from international groups, but that is becoming harder to find due to changes in laws and priorities. Most funding in India focuses on health and education, leaving arts and culture struggling. Pooja believes that culture is crucial for the social fabric of society. To survive, they need new supporters—people who understand the importance of art and want to support smaller groups, not just big events.
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