Tamyr Central Asia Art Lab, in collaboration with "BulBul," the art residence of the Bishkek School of Contemporary Art (Kyrgyzstan), announces an Open Call for a 14-day residency for art and cultural practitioners from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, taking place in the second half of October 2026.
Curator: Syinat Zholdosheva (Kyrgyzstan)
Application Window: August 17 – September 2, 2026
Residency Dates: October 15 – October 30, 2026
Citizens of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan aged 18 and older are invited to apply. We welcome artists, sculptors, photographers, curators, researchers, writers, poets, architects, illustrators, filmmakers, sound artists, and performers. Experimental and multidisciplinary practices are highly encouraged.
Three participants will be selected through the Open Call: one each from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit, nor are there strict requirements regarding the length of your professional or artistic career.
The selection committee from Tamyr Art Lab and BulBul will consider the quality and consistency of the applicant's practice, their motivation, interest in intra-regional dialogue within Central Asia, and readiness for a collaborative residency format. Preference will not be determined by age, prominence, or the number of previously completed projects.
Participation is entirely free. Tamyr Central Asia Art Lab covers round-trip travel to Bishkek, as well as accommodation and meals throughout the residency. There are no registration or institutional fees. Personal out-of-pocket expenses are to be covered by the participants.
In recent years, Central Asia's artistic infrastructure has experienced rapid growth. New institutions, educational initiatives, and international partnerships continue to emerge across the region. However, opportunities for sustained professional engagement among artists, curators, and researchers within Central Asia itself remain limited. This joint program by Tamyr Central Asia Art Lab and BulBul views the residency as a space where these connections can develop organically through shared living, working, research, and exchange.
The program is intentionally not framed around a singular research topic, nor does it require the production of artworks or a final project. Instead, the focus is placed on the process of collective living and working, knowledge sharing, and building professional relationships. Over the course of two weeks, participants will live and work together, explore the Bishkek art scene, visit local studios, museums, and independent initiatives, while retaining ample time to focus on their own individual practices.
We see this residency as an opportunity to establish conditions for long-term collaboration that will extend beyond the two-week program and contribute to the broader development of the Central Asian art community.
There is no participation fee. Tamyr Central Asia Art Lab covers all expenses related to travel, accommodation, and meals for the duration of the residency. Following the Open Call, three participants will be selected: one each from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The selection will be conducted jointly by the Tamyr Central Asia Art Lab and BulBul teams. Results will be announced on September 15.
The residency is organized as part of Tamyr Central Asia Art Lab's broader initiative to support and foster the Central Asian art community.