EXHIBITIONS

Our exhibitions are site-specific experiences that challenge conventional gallery formats by taking place in unconventional, often intimate spaces. Each exhibition is carefully curated to engage with pressing social, cultural, and political themes relevant to Nepal and beyond. The exhibitions prioritise experimental and transdisciplinary works, encouraging artists to push boundaries and explore new forms of expression that provoke dialogue and evoke strong, potentially emotional and physical reactions of discomfort and refusal.

The intention behind these exhibitions is not merely to showcase art but to create immersive environments where viewers become active participants in critical conversations. By situating art in accessible, everyday spaces, we aim to break down barriers and hierarchies between artists and audiences. The exhibitions often incorporate collaborative projects, performances, and interactive elements that invite visitors to experience art beyond passive observation.

We support a broad spectrum of artists, with a special focus on emerging femme, queer, and marginalised creators whose voices are frequently underrepresented in mainstream art spaces. The exhibitions allow these artists to experiment, take creative risks, and address complex social issues through their work. This commitment ensures that the exhibitions remain relevant and committed to the communities we collaborate with.

“Accessibility” is a core value in our work. By transforming non-traditional and challenging venues into wild art spaces and offering entry based on give-what-you-can, we ensure that art is available to a broad audience regardless of background or familiarity with contemporary art.

MENTORSHIPS

 
Kaalo.101’s mentorships are thoughtfully designed to nurture emerging and daring artists by providing personalised guidance, resources, and support tailored to their individual creative journeys. These mentorships focus on fostering artistic growth, critical thinking, and professional development, helping mentees navigate the complexities of contemporary art practice within Nepal’s unique cultural and social landscape. By emphasising experimentation and risk-taking, the mentorships encourage artists to explore new ideas, mediums, and approaches that challenge conventional boundaries.

The intention behind our mentorships is to create a collaborative and empowering environment where artists feel supported to develop their voices and engage deeply with themes such as politics, queerness, social justice, and community activism. Mentors work closely with mentees to refine their concepts, enhance technical skills, and build confidence while facilitating connections into the broader art community. This process strengthens individual practices and contributes to a more diverse and vibrant artistic ecosystem.

We prioritise to offer mentorship opportunities for femme, queer, and marginalised artists who often face systemic barriers in accessing professional development. By centring these voices, the mentorships help to amplify perspectives that are frequently overlooked, fostering voices against the establishment, hierarchies and oppression in the arts and beyond. Our programs welcome artists working across disciplines and encourage interdisciplinary collaborations and thinking.

RESIDENCIES

Residencies offer a unique and nurturing environment for artists of all backgrounds and disciplines to deep dive into creative exploration and meaningful exchange. Our residencies are available throughout the year, welcoming applications from artists working in any medium, whether emerging or established. We encourage experimentation, collaboration, and risk-taking, supporting projects that engage with social, cultural, and political contexts, and that seek to spark dialogue within and beyond the local community.

Artists in residence at Kaalo.101 have access to private rooms, communal studios, outdoor spaces, and a well-equipped library and kitchen. The residency experience is intentionally rooted in the vibrant fabric of Patan, offering opportunities to connect with local artists, activists, communities, and histories. Residents can participate in exhibitions, workshops, talks, and collaborative projects, and are encouraged to share their processes and outcomes in ways that foster learning and connection.

Applications for our residencies are open year-round, and we invite artists from Nepal and around the world to reach out, share their ideas, and become part of our ever-growing community. If you are seeking a space to push boundaries, connect with others, and make your work in a context that values both tradition and transformation, we encourage you to apply here!

FESTIVALS

 
Kaalo.101’s festivals are vibrant, collaborative celebrations of art, activism, and community that transform public spaces across Patan, Kathmandu and beyond. From abandoned houses and shutter spaces to community courtyards and warehouses, our festivals bring together an extensive network representing the whole spectrum of the arts and activism from Nepal, South Asia, and beyond. We also explore virtual spaces to stay connected and in exchange with our close South Asian and global friends and family.

Each festival is designed to break down barriers between artists and the public, especially the neighbourhood, using art as a catalyst for dialogue, resistance, and joy. These projects are highly collaborative efforts and usually take pop-up all over the city for three days.

WALLS

 
Creating murals means engaging in deep, collaborative exchanges with the neighbourhoods where we work. Each mural project begins with an extensive research phase, where our artists spend time engaging with local residents, listening to their stories, and understanding the unique histories, cultures, and aspirations that shape each community. This process is not rushed; it unfolds over long interactions, informal gatherings, and workshops that invite neighbours to share their perspectives and dreams for the space.

Consent and mutual respect are at the heart of our approach. Before a single sketch is made, we ensure that the community is not just informed but actively involved in the decision-making. Our artists and collaborators discuss potential themes, styles, and locations with residents, seeking their input and addressing concerns. This emphasis on consent transforms the act of mural-making from a simple artistic intervention into a shared experience, where the final artwork is truly co-created with the people who live alongside it.

WORKSHOPS

 
Our workshops are designed as open, playful spaces where peer-to-peer learning takes centre stage. We believe that everyone has something valuable to share and that knowledge grows richer when exchanged horizontally, rather than delivered from the top to down. Our workshops invite artists, activists, and community members of all backgrounds to come together, experiment, and learn from one another in a spirit of mutual respect and curiosity.

Access to our workshops is always free, breaking down financial and institutional barriers so anyone interested or passionate can participate. By removing these obstacles, we open up opportunities for those often excluded from formalised education systems. Our sessions are intentionally informal, welcoming people at any skill level, and encouraging exploration without fear of judgment or failure.

At the core of our approach is a counter-educational framework that values lived experience, intuition, and collective wisdom over rigid academic standards. We nurture qualities like critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and social engagement, believing that these are just as vital – if not more so – than traditional credentials. Workshops at Kaalo.101 might focus on anything from mural-making and zine production to activism, storytelling, or self-care, always shaped by the interests and needs of the facilitators and participants themselves.

By opening our doors to diverse voices and fostering a culture of shared learning, our workshops become spaces of empowerment and transformation. Participants leave not only with new skills, but also with strengthened networks, increased confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging within a creative, supportive community.

RANDOMS

It is hard to frame our work with categories and surely, simple boxes and boundaries cannot hold our actions. Here a lovely compilation of everything, that does not fit in other contexts.