Khoj International Artists’ Association
New Delhi Learn more about what's on at Khoj and the artists shaping its programme.Khoj International Artists’ Association (Khoj) is an autonomous not-for-profit contemporary arts organisation based in New Delhi, India, known for fostering experimental, interdisciplinary and socially engaged art practices across South Asia. Founded in 1997 as an artist-led initiative emerging from the Triangle Arts Trust network, Khoj has grown into a pivotal alternative art space and residency hub, connecting emerging and mid-career practitioners with global networks while remaining closely embedded in its local neighbourhood context.
Location
Khoj International Artists’ Association operates from Khoj Studios in the Khirki Extension area of South Delhi, New Delhi, India. Initiated in 1997 by a group of artists and curators associated with the Triangle Arts Trust, including long-time director Pooja Sood, Khoj began as a workshop-based platform addressing the lack of support for experimental contemporary art in India and the region. It has since evolved into a year-round institution ‘by artists, for artists’, sustaining an ecosystem for research, production and dialogue.
Today, Khoj is recognised as a key node in India’s contemporary art infrastructure, particularly for artists working across media and disciplines. The organisation supports visual artists, researchers and creative practitioners through residencies, studios, exhibitions, publications and public programmes that foreground process, collaboration and critical inquiry. Its initiatives frequently address ecology, urbanism, technology, gender and social justice, positioning Khoj as an influential site for thinking through how contemporary art intersects with wider social and political questions in South Asia.
Art and Exhibitions
At Khoj Studios, visitors encounter process-driven contemporary art spanning installation, video, performance, sound, socially engaged projects and new media. Artist residencies and open studios lie at the core of Khoj’s activity, giving audiences insight into how work develops in dialogue with local communities and international peers. Exhibitions often emerge from these residencies, workshops and long-term research projects, and are complemented by talks, seminars and reading groups that situate Indian and South Asian practices within broader global discourse.
Visiting Information
Khoj Studios is located at S-17, Khirki Extension, Malviya Nagar, in South Delhi, New Delhi, not far from Saket and other major city landmarks. As an independent art space and residency centre rather than a conventional museum, Khoj does not maintain fixed daily public opening hours; events, open studios and exhibitions are scheduled around specific programmes. Entry to most Khoj public events is free, though certain programmes or fundraisers may be ticketed or donation-based, so visitors should confirm details on the official website and social media channels before planning a visit.
Khoj International Artists’ Association FAQs
What is Khoj International Artists’ Association?
Khoj International Artists’ Association (Khoj) is an autonomous not-for-profit contemporary arts organisation in New Delhi that supports experimental and interdisciplinary artistic practices through residencies, exhibitions and public programmes. Established in 1997 within the Triangle Arts Trust network, it has become a significant alternative art space in India for emerging and mid-career practitioners.
Where is Khoj located in New Delhi?
Khoj operates from Khoj Studios at S-17, Khirki Extension, Malviya Nagar, in South Delhi, New Delhi, India. The complex includes exhibition spaces, artist studios, residents’ accommodation, a reference library, media lab, café and flexible areas for screenings, talks and public events.
What kind of art and programmes can I see at Khoj?
Khoj focuses on contemporary and experimental art across media, including installation, performance, moving image, sound, new media and socially engaged practices. Its programmes centre on artist residencies, open studios, curated exhibitions, workshops and public events that explore themes such as ecology, urbanism, technology, gender and social justice in relation to Indian and South Asian contexts.
When is Khoj open to visitors?
Khoj’s public access is organised around its programme calendar rather than fixed museum-style hours, with open studios, exhibitions and events announced individually. Visitors should check the Khoj website and social media for current schedules, including dates and times for specific programmes, before heading to Khoj Studios.
Does Khoj charge admission or offer tours and public programmes?
Admission to most exhibitions, open studios and talks at Khoj is generally free, reflecting its not-for-profit and community-focused mission, though some events or fundraisers may carry a fee or suggested donation. Khoj regularly hosts artist talks, workshops, screenings and discursive programmes, and may offer guided walkthroughs or presentations in connection with particular residencies and projects.
Which notable artists have participated in Khoj residencies?
Over the years, Khoj residencies and programmes have involved many significant contemporary artists from India and abroad, including practitioners such as Tejal Shah, Shilpa Gupta, Sonia Khurana, Sheba Chhachhi and others active in performance, video and installation. Alumni also include artists and collectives from across South Asia and further afield, underscoring Khoj’s role as an international platform for experimental practice.
How can artists apply for residencies at Khoj?
Artists typically apply to Khoj residencies through open calls published on the organisation’s website and communication channels, often linked to specific themes or programmes such as the Peers residency. Calls commonly request a CV, a portfolio or images of recent work, and a statement of purpose or project proposal, with some opportunities specifying eligibility (for example, Indian nationals) and detailed document requirements, so applicants should always follow the instructions in each individual call.
What impact has Khoj had on the art scene in South Asia?
Khoj has been central to building a supportive infrastructure for experimental and socially engaged contemporary art in India, providing space and resources at a time when few institutional platforms existed for such practices. Through initiatives like the South Asian Network for the Arts (SANA), developed with partners in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Khoj has helped forge cross-border networks that have shaped the visibility and circulation of South Asian contemporary art internationally.
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