Artists in Residence
Madhura Studios Artists in Residence receive meaningful resources to support their creative practices
Our year-long residency identifies creative practitioners who work with sound, music, and/ or human development to provide creative, programmatic, and financial investments in a current project, season of work, or a never before attempted idea.
We support invited practitioners’ existing practices, and delight in the co-creation of never-before-seen works within our spaces. We believe in experimentation, play, and in sharing best practices among peers.
Simply put, we ride for these people. And we hope you will too.
PROUDLY PRESENTING
Current Artists in Residence
Mai Khoi
Vietnamese singer-composer Mai Khôi transformed from award-winning pop star to dissident activist after growing uncomfortable with government censorship. Her pro-democracy National Assembly campaign sparked nationwide debate and led to persecution. Now in US exile since 2019, she creates experimental protest music blending jazz, rock, and Vietnamese traditions while advocating for freedom of expression.
Arpana Rayamajhi
Nepalese multidisciplinary artist Arpana Rayamajhi forged an unconventional path from Kathmandu to New York. Known for whimsical jewelry made from unusual materials that has attracted an unexpected social media following, Rayamajhi continues to defy categorization, recently expanding into music and acting while maintaining her core philosophy—not being attached to a particular form or outcome, and exploring her identity and passion as they unfold.
Actor, activist, and poet Kristofer Sykes, also known as Paine the Poet, is on a mission to inspire others through his words and bring light to our flawed justice system. Formerly incarcerated, Paine got his start performing poetry at open mics in the Washington D.C. area to heal from his past.
MOTHERMARY makes retro-futuristic Art Pop. Named after the mother of Christ, the ultimate symbol of religious hypocrisy and the impossible expectations placed on women.
Ari Simon is a facilitator, strategy and engagement specialist who creates and leads experiential spaces such as Grief School Summer Camp and Memorializing Ecological Loss.