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Help Us Grow a DIY Arts Collective in Nepal

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The experience

Join our creative residency in Kathmandu and contribute 25–30 hours a week in exchange for housing. You’ll help run hands-on workshops, support youth programs, develop spaces like our Art Cafe, Coworking space, or Makerspace, and assist with events and content creation. This is a purposeful opportunity for artists, educators, and makers to share skills and help grow a grassroots arts collective.

What you offer

25 hours of help per week

Video Making: Create, edit and publish digital videos.

Photography: Take, edit and provide amazing photos.

Painting & Decorating: Help with painting or decorating the property facilities.

Arts: Help with painting, graffiti, sculpting or drawing.

What you get

5 days off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely

Requirements

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

The Sattya Residency is a work-exchange program for visiting creatives who want to immerse themselves in Kathmandu’s grassroots arts scene. In exchange for housing, residents contribute 25 to 30 hours per week by supporting our programs, spaces, and events. This is not a casual volunteering gig. It’s a residency for people who want to teach, build, and collaborate with intention.

Located in Jawalakhel, a lively neighborhood in Lalitpur known as the cultural heart of Kathmandu, Sattya is surrounded by cafes, galleries, local shops, and creative energy. It’s a perfect base for artists and explorers alike.

Depending on your skills and interests, you might:

* Lead hands-on creative workshops
* Teach in our Young Makers Club, a Sunday program for kids and teens
* Help run our Art Cafe, a cozy space where people “order” art instead of food
* Activate our Coworking space or Makerspace
* Curate a documentary screening and lead a discussion
* Create photo and video content for our website and social media
* Help develop our website, fundraising strategy, or business operations

We’ll work with you to focus on one or two main areas during your stay so your work feels focused and meaningful. The residency is ideal for educators, artists, designers, makers, storytellers, and anyone excited to contribute to a community-led creative space.

Residency stays are a minimum of one month (more is ideal!). You’ll stay in a simple but private room inside Sattya itself. The room includes a comfy bed, desk, storage,

Activities & Shift

Work Hours:
25 to 30 hours per week
Generally 5 hours per day, 5 days per week
Schedules are flexible based on your focus area

Example Activities:
Workshop Facilitation
-Plan and lead a weekly creative workshop for youth or adults
-Prepare materials, guide participants, and support setup and cleanup

Art Cafe Support
-Welcome visitors, prep creative kits, and assist with daily operations
-Help with special events like Open Mic or Ugly Art Night

Makerspace or Coworking Space Development
-Organize tools and improve systems
-Create decor or signage
-Develop ideas to increase functionality, income, and engagement

Content Creation
-Take photos or videos of programs and daily life
-Edit and organize media for use on social platforms or website

Special Projects
-Contribute to sustainability or fundraising strategy
-Help build the Sattya website
-Assist with building improvements or space design

Note:
We’ll decide your main tasks together based on your skills and interests. You’ll typically focus on one or two areas during your stay to make your time more impactful and manageable.

Rules

We’re not a strict or rigid place, but because we are a small team and community-centered space, we ask that all residents:

-Show up on time and honor your weekly work commitment (25 to 30 hours)
-Communicate clearly if plans or availability change
-Be respectful of shared spaces and other community members
-Clean up after yourself
-Be open-minded and culturally sensitive
-Bring a collaborative spirit and a willingness to pitch in, even outside your main role

Treat this as a residency, not a vacation. There’s lots of freedom, but also real work.
We’re still building systems and running on a tight budget, so flexibility, patience, and a positive attitude go a long way.

Perks of the Residency
-Be part of an organization that’s shaped Kathmandu’s creative scene since 2010
-Daily dal bhat lunch together
-Endless tea and coffee
-Access to tools, workspaces, and creative materials
-Entry to events, workshops, and film screenings
-Networking with creatives and local organizations
-Hands-on experience in a grassroots international arts collective
-A chance to contribute your ideas and help build Sattya
-Community, friendship, learning, and lots of creative fun