Olepangi Farm Artist Residency - Laikipia County

Olepangi Farm Artist Residency - Laikipia County
Olepangi Farm Artist Residency - Laikipia County

Olepangi Farm Artist Residency – Laikipia County, Kenya

Luxury Eco-Lodge Residency Integrating Artists with Safari Guests in Mount Kenya Foothills

Overview

Olepangi Farm offers a distinctive 6-18 week artist residency model within a working luxury eco-lodge in Laikipia County’s stunning wildlife conservancy landscape at the foothills of Mount Kenya. Hosting maximum 2 artists simultaneously in semi-permanent tented accommodation with en-suite bathrooms, this programme—designed for “people and communities to come together to share and learn”—requires artists to engage daily with international lodge guests through shared meals and conversation, complete at least one community project with local schools or residents, maintain active social media presence (minimum 3x weekly), and leave a legacy artwork. In exchange for $450 per person per week, residents receive full board with “stunning, fresh, organic” cuisine, access to a dedicated “artist’s perch” overlooking the valley, library resources, and immersion in a “little paradise” where hyena calls punctuate nights and “the most interesting people from all over the world” gather for meaningful dialogue.

Founding Vision: Art, Nature, and Human Connection

Olepangi Philosophy:

“Olepangi Farm allows us to luxuriate in the sound of hyena at night and in the long views, to reflect on the objects of art from our travels and to linger over meaningful conversations.”

This poetic mission statement reveals core values:

Luxuriating in Nature:

  • Hyena calls at night – authentic wildlife immersion, not zoo-like viewing
  • Long views – expansive vistas across Laikipia’s valleys and Mount Kenya
  • Sensory richness (sounds, sights, light, air quality)
  • Slowing down to appreciate natural world

Reflection on Art:

  • Contemplating collected artworks from travels
  • Creating space for aesthetic appreciation
  • Understanding art within lived experience
  • Building personal collections and relationships with objects

Meaningful Conversations:

  • Depth over small talk
  • Intellectual and creative exchange
  • Cross-pollination of ideas
  • Human connection through dialogue

Enrichment Through Encounters:

“We have been profoundly enriched by encounters with our visiting artists and thought leaders.”

Olepangi positions residency as reciprocal relationship:

  • Artists enrich Olepangi community
  • Olepangi enriches artists
  • Guests benefit from artist presence
  • Local communities gain from artist engagement
  • Mutual value creation

Exceptional Experience Creation:

“The Olepangi Residency Programme is designed to create… an exceptional experience for those seeking the time and mental space to investigate new ideas and deepen artistic inquiry.”

Goals:

  • Time – extended periods (6-18 weeks) for sustained work
  • Mental space – removal from urban distractions and pressures
  • Investigate new ideas – research and experimentation
  • Deepen artistic inquiry – pushing existing practice further

Location: Laikipia County Wildlife Conservancy

Geographic Setting:

Olepangi Farm
Timau, Laikipia County
10406 Kenya

Laikipia County Context:

Ecological Significance:

  • Second-largest wildlife conservancy area in Kenya (after Tsavo)
  • Critical habitat for endangered species (black rhino, Grevy’s zebra, African wild dog, elephants)
  • Private and communal conservancies model sustainable land use
  • Semi-arid savanna ecosystem at ~2,000 meters elevation
  • Transitional zone between Mount Kenya highlands and northern deserts

Timau Locality:

  • Mount Kenya foothills providing dramatic mountain backdrop
  • Small agricultural and ranching town
  • Cooler highland climate compared to lowland Kenya
  • Mix of large-scale farms and smallholder agriculture
  • Multi-ethnic community (Kikuyu, Meru, Maasai, Samburu)

Wildlife Experience:

“Luxuriate in the sound of hyena at night” indicates:

  • Spotted hyena presence on or near property
  • Active wildlife corridors through area
  • Nighttime soundscapes (also: lions, leopards, jackals potentially)
  • Authentic bush experience, not fenced compound
  • Coexistence with predators and megafauna

Other Wildlife Likely Present:

  • Elephants (Laikipia has significant population)
  • Buffalo, zebra, various antelope species
  • Diverse birdlife (over 400 species in Laikipia)
  • Giraffes, warthogs, baboons, monkeys
  • Occasional big cats (lion, leopard, cheetah)

Natural Beauty:

“Long views” across:

  • Laikipia plateau landscapes
  • Acacia-dotted savanna
  • Seasonal rivers and valleys
  • Mount Kenya massif (17,057 ft / 5,199 m—Africa’s second-highest mountain)
  • Dramatic skies and sunsets
  • Star-filled night skies (minimal light pollution)

Unique Model: Artist Residency within Luxury Eco-Lodge

Olepangi as Working Lodge:

Unlike dedicated artist facilities, Olepangi operates primarily as:

Boutique Eco-Lodge:

  • Hosting paying guests (safari tourists, eco-travelers, retreat seekers)
  • “Beautiful, small lodge” – intimate scale, high service standards
  • Off-grid sustainable operations
  • High-end accommodation and dining
  • Wildlife and cultural experiences

Artist Integration:

Artists reside alongside paying guests, creating unique dynamics:

Benefits:

  • Stimulating conversations with diverse international visitors
  • Networking with “most interesting people from all over the world”
  • Exposure to collectors, curators, writers, thought leaders who frequent such lodges
  • Cross-sector exchange (business leaders, scientists, conservationists, artists)
  • Built-in audience for informal presentations

Expectations:

  • Daily social engagement required
  • Contribution to lodge atmosphere
  • Flexibility around guest activities and meal times
  • Professionalism in interactions
  • Understanding residency as part of guest experience

This model suits:

  • Socially comfortable artists who enjoy conversation and meeting new people
  • Confident presenters able to discuss work engagingly
  • Flexible personalities adapting to lodge rhythms
  • Those valuing diverse human encounters as creative fuel

Less Suitable For:

  • Introverts requiring solitude and privacy
  • Artists uncomfortable with daily social performance
  • Those seeking isolated retreat without interruptions
  • Practitioners needing absolute control over schedule and environment

Residency Duration Options

Three Fixed Lengths:

6-Week Residency

  • Minimum programme length
  • Approximately 1.5 months
  • Sufficient for focused project development
  • Seasonal immersion (single weather pattern)
  • Cost: $2,700 per person (6 weeks x $450)

12-Week Residency

  • 3-month intensive
  • Deeper community integration
  • Multiple seasonal experiences possible
  • Substantial project completion
  • Cost: $5,400 per person (12 weeks x $450)

18-Week Residency

  • Maximum 4.5 months
  • Extended creative development
  • Deep local relationships
  • Witnessing seasonal cycles (dry to rainy, migrations)
  • Significant cultural immersion
  • Cost: $8,100 per person (18 weeks x $450)

No Partial Residencies:

Structure suggests fixed options rather than custom durations—likely for logistical planning and guest scheduling. Artists should choose length matching project scope and budget.

Financial Structure: Fee-Based Model

Weekly Rate: $450 USD per person per week

What’s Included:

Full Board – All Meals

“All daily meals are cooked and served in our beautiful, small lodge by our amazing kitchen team. The food is stunning; fresh, organic and healthy.”

Meal Quality:

  • Stunning presentation and flavors
  • Fresh ingredients from farm and local sources
  • Organic produce prioritized
  • Healthy preparations (not heavy tourist fare)
  • Kenyan and international cuisine
  • Dietary accommodations (vegetarian, vegan, allergies)

Communal Dining:

“We ask that artists engage with guests during at least one meal a day by sharing aspects of their work and contributing to stimulating conversation.”

Expectations:

  • Minimum one shared meal daily with lodge guests
  • Share aspects of work – informal presentations, discussions
  • Contribute to conversation – active participation, not passive attendance
  • Typically breakfast, lunch, or dinner (flexibility allowed)

Social Dimension:

“This is typically not an issue as the lodge tends to attract some of the most interesting people from all over the world.”

Guests include:

  • International safari travelers
  • Eco-tourism enthusiasts
  • Conservation professionals
  • Writers, journalists, photographers
  • Business leaders on retreat
  • Academics and researchers
  • Cultural travelers seeking depth

Meals become intellectual salons fostering exchange.

Accommodation

Semi-Permanent Tents:

  • Canvas or similar material structures
  • Adjoining bathrooms (en-suite)
  • Solar hot-water heated showers
  • Beds and furnishings provided
  • Linens provided
  • Weekly tent cleaning (minimum)
  • Weekly laundry service included

Off-Grid Tent Configuration:

“There is currently no power or internet in the tents.”

Implications:

  • No electricity in sleeping quarters (bring battery packs, solar chargers)
  • No WiFi in private space (digital detox at night)
  • Natural light and darkness rhythms
  • Candles or battery lanterns for evening reading
  • Quiet contemplation without screens

Farm-Wide Infrastructure:

“The farm is completely off-grid but there is reliable power and internet connectivity in the communal spaces.”

Communal Areas Offer:

  • Reliable solar/battery power for charging devices
  • Internet connectivity for research, communication, work
  • Shared workspaces if needed
  • Social gathering spots

Partners Welcome:

“Adult companions are welcome”

Structure:

  • $450 per person per week applies to both artist and companion
  • For couple: $900/week total
  • Partner expected to engage socially as well
  • Separate bed arrangements in tent
  • Full board for both

Total Investment Examples:

Solo Artist:

  • 6 weeks: $2,700
  • 12 weeks: $5,400
  • 18 weeks: $8,100

Artist + Partner:

  • 6 weeks: $5,400
  • 12 weeks: $10,800
  • 18 weeks: $16,200

Artist Responsibilities Beyond Weekly Fee:

  • International travel to/from Kenya
  • Kenyan visa fees
  • Activities off the farm (safari excursions, town trips)
  • Some on-farm activities with fees: massages, horse riding, walks with Mr. Kariuki (local guide)
  • Alcohol consumption (meals include non-alcoholic beverages; wine/beer purchased separately)
  • Art materials and supplies
  • Travel insurance and health coverage

Workspace & Resources

Artist’s Perch:

“Artists perch overlooking the valley with table and chair”

Dedicated Outdoor Workspace:

  • Valley views providing inspiration and beauty
  • Table and chair for writing, drawing, small work
  • Natural ventilation and lighting
  • Outdoor studio environment
  • Potentially shared between 2 concurrent artists or exclusive (clarify)

Ideal For:

  • Writers (laptops, notebooks, research)
  • Poets and literary artists
  • Small-scale visual work (sketching, watercolor, studies)
  • Contemplative practices (journaling, meditation)
  • Reading and research

Challenging For:

  • Large-scale painting or sculpture
  • Messy or weather-sensitive processes
  • Work requiring specialized equipment
  • Projects needing extensive materials storage

Library:

Access to curated book collection likely including:

  • Art and photography books
  • Literature and poetry
  • Natural history and conservation
  • African studies and culture
  • Travel writing and memoirs
  • Potentially previous resident works

Communal Spaces:

Where power and internet available:

  • Charging stations for devices
  • WiFi for digital research and communication
  • Potentially shared work tables
  • Social areas for conversations

Farm Landscapes:

Entire property becomes creative resource:

  • Plein air painting locations
  • Photography subjects (wildlife, landscapes, people)
  • Walking and thinking routes
  • Natural inspiration

Disciplines: Wide Aperture Definition

Explicit Openness:

“Our aperture on the definition of art is wide. We are open to anyone with deep interest and already well-developed skill in visual arts, writing, culinary arts, composers, musicians, scholars, filmmakers, architects and more.”

Welcomed Practices:

Visual Arts

  • Painting, drawing, printmaking
  • Photography (wildlife, landscape, documentary, portrait)
  • Sculpture (small-scale given workspace limitations)
  • Mixed media and works on paper

Writing

  • Poetry
  • Fiction (novels, short stories)
  • Creative non-fiction and memoir
  • Travel writing
  • Nature writing
  • Journalism

Culinary Arts

Unique inclusion rarely seen in residencies:

  • Chefs developing recipes and techniques
  • Food writers and cookbook authors
  • Culinary anthropologists
  • Farm-to-table innovators
  • Potential collaboration with Olepangi kitchen team

Music

  • Composers writing new works
  • Musicians practicing and developing repertoire
  • Songwriters
  • Ethnomusicologists researching Kenyan music traditions
  • Potentially performing for guests

Scholarship

  • Scholars conducting research (conservation, anthropology, ecology, culture)
  • Academic writing in field setting
  • Interdisciplinary research

Film

  • Filmmakers developing scripts, treatments, editing
  • Documentary research and production
  • Video artists
  • Potentially filming on property with permission

Architecture

  • Architects designing or researching
  • Sustainable building study
  • Landscape architecture
  • Spatial design

“And More”

  • Performance artists
  • Dancers and choreographers
  • Textile artists
  • Designers (graphic, product, fashion)
  • Scientists with creative practices
  • Interdisciplinary practitioners

Selection Criteria:

“Deep interest and already well-developed skill”

Olepangi seeks:

  • Passion and genuine commitment to practice
  • Established proficiency (not beginners)
  • Professional or serious amateur level
  • Articulate about work (given guest engagement requirement)
  • Mature approach to artistic inquiry

Required Community Engagement

Mandatory Component:

“We expect artists to engage in at least one community activity/project to be defined and agreed at the beginning of the residency.”

Options Include:

Educational Programming

“Series of talks” on artistic practice, creative process, career development, cultural topics

“Engagement in art with one of the local schools we support”:

  • Workshops teaching drawing, painting, music, writing
  • Demonstrations of techniques
  • Collaborative projects with students
  • Mentorship for talented youth
  • Donating materials or artworks to schools

Short Apprenticeships:

“With local people in the area”:

  • Teaching skills to aspiring local artists
  • Collaborative projects with community members
  • Knowledge exchange (artist learns from locals, locals learn from artist)
  • Economic empowerment through creative skills

“The options are endless” suggesting flexibility based on artist’s discipline and community needs.

Planning Process:

  • Discussed and agreed at beginning of residency
  • Tailored to artist’s strengths and interests
  • Coordinated with Olepangi team and community partners
  • Scheduled throughout residency, not just at end
  • Documented for legacy and reporting

Guest Engagement Expectations

Daily Interaction:

“We ask that artists engage with guests during at least one meal a day by sharing aspects of their work and contributing to stimulating conversation.”

What This Means:

Sharing Aspects of Work:

  • Informal presentations about current projects
  • Discussing artistic process and inspirations
  • Showing portfolio or work samples
  • Explaining medium and techniques
  • Telling stories about creative journey

Contributing to Conversation:

  • Active listening and thoughtful responses
  • Asking questions about guests’ lives and interests
  • Finding connections between disciplines
  • Offering unique perspectives
  • Being present and engaged (not distracted)

Typical Format:

  • Naturally woven into mealtime conversation
  • Not formal lectures (unless occasionally desired)
  • Organic dialogue and exchange
  • Building relationships over days/weeks
  • Some guests become friends, collectors, collaborators

Learning Workshop for Guests:

Optional or required (materials somewhat unclear) – artist may offer:

  • Hands-on creative workshops for guests
  • Skill demonstrations (painting, writing exercises, cooking techniques)
  • Guided nature walks with artistic lens
  • Photography instruction
  • Musical performances

Required Outputs & Legacy

1. Legacy Contribution

“Leave behind some sort of legacy to be agreed (e.g., a painting, song, poem, set of photographs)”

Options Based on Discipline:

  • Visual artists: Painting, drawing, print, sculpture
  • Writers: Poem, short story, essay about Olepangi
  • Musicians: Composed song, recorded performance
  • Photographers: Curated series of farm/wildlife images
  • Filmmakers: Short documentary about Olepangi or community
  • Chefs: Recipe collection or cookbook contribution

Purpose:

  • Building Olepangi’s artistic collection
  • Creating tangible memory of resident’s time
  • Inspiring future residents and guests
  • Decorating lodge or displaying in communal areas

Agreement Process:

  • Discussed at residency beginning
  • Mutual decision between artist and Olepangi
  • Appropriate to medium and residency length
  • Quality piece reflecting residency experience

2. Blog Post

“At least one blog of your time and reflections at the farm to be published on our social media”

Requirements:

  • Minimum one blog post (though “at least one” suggests more welcome)
  • About time at Olepangi and reflections
  • Published on Olepangi social media (website, Instagram, Facebook)

Content Likely Includes:

  • Arrival and first impressions
  • Daily life and creative process
  • Wildlife encounters and nature experiences
  • Guest interactions and conversations
  • Community project reflections
  • Artistic developments and breakthroughs
  • Gratitude and recommendations

Value:

  • Marketing for Olepangi residency programme
  • Inspiring future applicants
  • Documentation of resident experience
  • Building online community

3. Social Media Engagement

“Engage in social media (at least 3x per week tagging @olepangifarm)”

Minimum Expectation:

  • Three posts weekly across residency duration
  • Tag @olepangifarm in all posts
  • Share on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or other platforms

Content Ideas:

  • Work-in-progress photos
  • Wildlife sightings and nature moments
  • Sunset/landscape beauty shots
  • Behind-the-scenes creative process
  • Guest conversations highlights
  • Community project documentation
  • Daily life at the farm
  • Gratitude and appreciation posts

Purpose:

  • Amplifying Olepangi’s reach and visibility
  • Attracting future residents and guests
  • Building residency programme credibility
  • Creating authentic content marketing
  • Documenting artistic journey publicly

Considerations:

This requirement may feel:

  • Natural for social media-savvy artists already active online
  • Promotional obligation for those less comfortable with public sharing
  • Authentic storytelling opportunity if approached genuinely
  • Marketing exchange for reduced residency cost

Artists should assess comfort with this expectation before applying.

Selection Process & Application

Application Method:

Email: artistinresidence@olepangifarm.com

Selection Committee:

“By owners and directors of Olepangi”

Personal review ensuring:

  • Artist fit with Olepangi ethos and guest community
  • Appropriate skills and experience level
  • Genuine interest in nature, conservation, community
  • Social comfort and communication abilities
  • Project feasibility within available resources

Required Materials:

Not specified—likely includes:

  • Artist CV and biography
  • Portfolio or work samples
  • Project proposal for residency period
  • Statement explaining interest in Olepangi specifically
  • Community engagement ideas
  • References from arts professionals
  • Proposed dates and duration preference

Timeline:

No fixed deadlines mentioned—likely rolling applications based on availability.

Response:

Personal communication from owners/directors discussing:

  • Fit and expectations
  • Available dates
  • Community project possibilities
  • Logistics and preparation

Grant Support

“We are happy to assist artists seeking grants or other forms of funding in their home country/institution, by providing letters of recommendation when the candidature is accepted.”

Support Offered:

Letters of Recommendation:

  • Written by Olepangi owners/directors
  • Explaining residency programme and selection
  • Endorsing artist’s project and merit
  • Supporting grant applications

When Provided:

  • After acceptance to residency
  • For applying to external funding sources
  • Supporting artist’s fundraising efforts

Potential Funders:

  • National arts councils
  • Private foundations
  • University research grants
  • Cultural exchange programmes
  • Conservation organizations (for relevant projects)

This support acknowledges $450/week adds up significantly over 6-18 weeks and helps artists secure external funding to participate.

Practical Information

Access:

Directions: Available on website (contact for specifics)

Nearest Airport: Likely Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)

  • 3-4 hour drive to Laikipia
  • Arrange private transfer or rental car

Alternative: Nanyuki Airstrip (smaller airport closer to Laikipia)

  • Charter or scheduled flights from Nairobi
  • Shorter ground transfer to Timau

Ground Transport:

  • 4×4 vehicle recommended for rough roads
  • Olepangi may assist with transfer arrangements
  • Public matatus (minibuses) possible but less convenient

Contact:

Olepangi Farm
Timau, Laikipia County
10406 Kenya

Telephone:
+254 742 148 815
+254 704 438 840

Email:
General inquiries: welcome@olepangifarm.com
Residency applications: artistinresidence@olepangifarm.com

Visa:

Most nationalities can obtain Kenya e-Visa online or visa-on-arrival (verify current requirements)

Health:

  • Yellow fever vaccination required if arriving from endemic countries
  • Malaria prophylaxis recommended for Laikipia (medium risk)
  • Travel insurance essential
  • Medical facilities: Nanyuki has hospital; Nairobi 3-4 hours for serious emergencies

Climate:

Highland Laikipia:

  • Cooler than lowland Kenya (2,000m elevation)
  • Daytime: 20-28°C (68-82°F)
  • Nighttime: Can drop to 5-10°C (41-50°F) – warm sleeping bags/blankets needed
  • Dry seasons: January-March, June-October (best wildlife viewing)
  • Rainy seasons: April-May (long rains), November-December (short rains)

What to Pack:

  • Layers (warm mornings/evenings, warm days)
  • Rain gear if visiting during wet season
  • Sturdy shoes for walking
  • Headlamp/flashlight (no tent power)
  • Binoculars for wildlife
  • Camera equipment
  • Art supplies and materials
  • Laptop and devices
  • Solar charger or battery packs (no tent power)
  • Books and research materials
  • Sunscreen and hat
  • Insect repellent

Why Choose Olepangi Farm?

This unique luxury eco-lodge residency offers incomparable advantages:

Unmatched Natural Setting:

  • Wildlife immersion with hyena, elephants, diverse species
  • Mount Kenya foothills dramatic landscapes
  • Laikipia conservancy authentic bush experience
  • Long views and expansive horizons
  • Night sounds and sensory richness

Intellectual Community:

  • “Most interesting people from all over the world” as lodge guests
  • Stimulating conversations daily
  • Cross-sector exchange (conservation, business, arts, science)
  • Networking opportunities with potential collectors, collaborators
  • Meaningful connections through shared meals

Full Support:

  • All meals included with “stunning, fresh, organic” cuisine
  • Accommodation in safari-style tents
  • Weekly cleaning and laundry
  • Communal power and WiFi
  • Artist’s perch workspace

Flexible Duration:

  • 6, 12, or 18 weeks options
  • Extended time for deep projects
  • Seasonal immersion possibilities

Wide Disciplinary Welcome:

  • Visual arts, writing, culinary arts
  • Music, film, architecture, scholarship
  • “Aperture is wide” – inclusive definition

Community Impact:

  • Required local engagement project
  • Support for local schools
  • Apprenticeships and skill-sharing
  • Meaningful contribution beyond personal work

Partners Welcome:

  • Adult companions can join
  • Shared experience in extraordinary setting
  • Full board for both

Grant Assistance:

  • Letters of support for funding applications
  • Helping artists secure external support

Since Established:

  • Years of operation (timeline not specified but “over the years” indicates sustained programme)
  • Track record of hosting “amazing artists and thought leaders”

Strategic Considerations for Applicants

Best Suited For:

  • Socially comfortable extroverts who thrive on conversation and meeting new people
  • Confident communicators able to discuss work engagingly
  • Nature lovers genuinely excited by wildlife and landscapes
  • Flexible personalities adapting to lodge rhythms and guest interactions
  • Those with external funding or personal resources ($450/week adds up)
  • Writers and creative thinkers benefiting from inspiring setting without specialized studio needs
  • Photographers with incredible subject matter constantly available
  • Practitioners valuing human connection as creative fuel
  • Artists interested in conservation and environmental themes
  • Culinary artists and chefs (rare residency opportunity)
  • Those comfortable with social media and public sharing
  • Community-engaged artists excited about local projects

Less Suitable For:

  • Introverts requiring solitude and privacy
  • Artists needing constant studio isolation
  • Practices requiring specialized equipment or messy processes
  • Those on tight budgets (minimum $2,700 for 6 weeks)
  • Artists uncomfortable with daily social performance
  • Those resistant to social media or public documentation
  • Practitioners needing urban resources or extensive materials
  • Artists expecting traditional white-cube gallery residency
  • Those uncomfortable with wildlife or rustic conditions

Financial Realities:

$450/week is higher than many African residencies but comparable to luxury safari costs and includes:

  • Full gourmet board
  • Unique location
  • High-end accommodation standards
  • Intimate community
  • Extraordinary natural setting

Application Strategy:

  • Demonstrate social skills and comfort with guest engagement
  • Explain interest in conservation/nature beyond generic appreciation
  • Propose feasible community project aligned with skills
  • Show understanding of lodge model and expectations
  • Be specific about why Olepangi versus other residencies
  • Discuss social media comfort and approach
  • Clarify funding sources or grant applications
  • Explain legacy contribution ideas
  • Research Laikipia and conservation context

Olepangi in African Residency Landscape

Unique Position:

  • Only luxury lodge-integrated residency among major African programmes
  • Wildlife immersion unmatched except safari-focused residencies
  • Guest interaction model distinct from isolated studio residencies
  • Higher cost than most African options but includes full gourmet board
  • Laikipia location (most Kenya residencies in Nairobi)
  • Conservation context explicit
  • Culinary arts inclusion rarely seen elsewhere

Complementary to Other Residencies:

Artists might combine:

  • Olepangi (nature/conversation) + urban residency (production/exhibition)
  • Kenya highlands (wilderness) + coastal residency (different ecosystem)
  • Luxury eco-lodge (supported) + rustic desert (isolated) for contrasts

Contact & Next Steps

Olepangi Farm
Timau, Laikipia County
10406 Kenya

Residency Application: artistinresidence@olepangifarm.com
General Inquiries: welcome@olepangifarm.com
Phone: +254 742 148 815 / +254 704 438 840

To Apply:

  1. Email artistinresidence@olepangifarm.com with expression of interest
  2. Request specific application requirements
  3. Prepare CV, portfolio, project proposal, community engagement ideas
  4. Explain interest in Olepangi’s unique model
  5. Discuss preferred duration (6, 12, or 18 weeks)
  6. Clarify funding strategy or request grant support letter
  7. Propose legacy contribution ideas
  8. Await personal communication from owners/directors

Questions to Ask:

  • Current availability for preferred dates
  • Artist’s perch configuration (exclusive or shared between 2 artists?)
  • Typical guest demographics and interests
  • Previous resident projects and community engagements
  • Wildlife activity and safety protocols
  • Specific local schools or community partners
  • Social media content guidelines and expectations
  • Grant letter template or examples
  • Packing recommendations for specific season
  • Transportation arrangements from Nairobi
  • Activities available on farm (horse riding, Mr. Kariuki walks, etc.)

Experience Kenya’s breathtaking Laikipia wilderness through a residency where artistic creation intertwines with wildlife immersion, intellectual community, conservation engagement, and the profound luxury of time to think, make, and converse under African skies—where hyena calls punctuate nights and “most interesting people from all over the world” gather around tables laden with “stunning, fresh, organic” food to linger over meaningful conversations about art, life, and the natural world.

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