International Residency: Hong Kong

A three-month artist-led residency in Ma Wan, Hong Kong. 

Misk Art Institute has partnered with WestK (West Kowloon Cultural District) to offer Saudi artists a three-month residency at Ma Wan 1868 in Hong Kong. This program is part of an international residency platform supporting cultural exchange and professional development for Saudi artists within Hong Kong's dynamic contemporary arts ecosystem. 

Located in Ma Wan, Hong Kong, the residency offers artists dedicated time and space for research, reflection, and artistic production within an artist-led environment.  

Participants are encouraged to independently shape their creative process while engaging with Hong Kong's broader cultural landscape. The residency culminates in a public exhibition presented during the festive season from December 16, 2026 to January 3, 2027, one of the busiest cultural periods in Hong Kong. As part of the residency, each artist will participate in one public-facing engagement, which may take the form of a talk, workshop, or informal presentation. 

You Will Gain 

1. Time and space to focus on artistic production and presentation 
2. Experience working within an international cultural context 
3. Exposure to new audiences and professional networks 
4. Opportunities for cultural exchange and public engagement 
5. Institutional-level exhibition experience during Hong Kong's festive season 
6. Connections within Hong Kong's art and cultural ecosystem 
7. Professional visibility within an international arts context 
8. New perspectives and inspiration for artistic development 
9. Opportunities to expand your practice through self-directed exploration 

Who's It For? 

Emerging to mid-career Saudi artists and interdisciplinary practitioners working across visual arts, craft, ceramics, metalwork, illustration, and design-based practices who meet the following criteria: 

1. Minimum 3 years of active artistic practice 
2. Demonstrated exhibition history or professional presentation experience 
3. Formally trained or professionally engaged within their discipline 
4. Interested in pursuing a sustainable professional artistic career 
5. Comfortable working independently within an artist-led residency structure 
6. Able to professionally manage production, presentation, and audience engagement 

Applicants must be fully committed to prioritizing the residency during the full 12-week period, with no exceptions. 

Please note: Film and highly technical media-based practices are not preferred for this residency. 

What Is Provided 

1. Roundtrip flights to Hong Kong 
2. Private accommodation 
3. Studio space (TBC) 
4. Local transportation support (TBC) 
5. Production support (TBC) 
6. Opportunities for public presentation and exhibition 
7. Local and international networking opportunities 
8. Access to Hong Kong's wider cultural ecosystem 

What Is Not Provided 

1. Personal living services such as laundry and gym memberships 
2. Car rental 
3. Additional personal travel outside residency activities 

Program Structure 

1. An artist-led residency environment encouraging independent creative development 
2. Shared working space within an international context 
3. One public-facing engagement opportunity in the form of a talk, workshop, or informal presentation 
4. Professional networking opportunities within Hong Kong's cultural landscape 
5. Exposure to Hong Kong's cultural and institutional landscape 
6. Flexibility for self-directed research and production 
7. Access to the Misk Art Institute alumni network 
8. A collaborative environment with fellow artists