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An Artist Development Programme

Are you an Indian visual artist between
the ages of 28 and 50?

Do you believe your practice is ready
for a larger platform?

Are you looking for an opportunity to shape
the next chapter of your artistic journey?

If the answer to these questions is yes,

was created for you.

What is Threshold?

Artisera

Across the world, professional artists are navigating an art world that has changed dramatically in the last decade. The ways art is discovered, discussed, collected and valued continue to evolve, and artists today are expected not only to create meaningful work, but also to build visibility, communicate their practice, develop networks and navigate an increasingly complex professional landscape.

Yet one thing remains unchanged: a strong artistic practice takes years to build. It demands patience, persistence and an unwavering commitment to the creative process. While the work evolves over time, opportunities do not always keep pace. For many artists, the challenge is not talent or dedication, but finding the right opportunity at the right moment.

THRESHOLD by Artisera was created for that moment. Designed as a development programme for practising Indian visual artists between the ages of 28 and 50, it supports artists with years of committed practice behind them who are ready for the next stage of their professional journey.

Powered by Brigade Group, Threshold is more than just exhibitions or lectures. It is a long-term investment in artistic practice, recognising that timely opportunities, thoughtful mentorship and sustained professional support at a pivotal stage in an artist’s career, can make an extraordinary difference to what comes next.

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“Since launching Artisera in 2015, spending time with artists has taught me that a meaningful artistic career is not built overnight. It is a journey filled with years of practice. Of experimentation. Of failure. Of finding a voice. And of believing in an idea before anyone else does. Threshold has been created to help artists navigate that journey.”

- Varun Backliwal
Founder & CEO, Artisera

Programme Details

Artisera

THRESHOLD by Artisera is a focused development programme for practising Indian visual artists — painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, and artists working across textile, video, installation, digital art and mixed media. It provides a structured framework for inquiry, development and growth under thoughtfully designed modules of mentorship and guidance by industry experts.

The programme is open to Indian artists aged between 28 to 50, with at least six years of committed art practice behind them. In the inaugural edition of Threshold, an esteemed jury will select six artists from the applicant pool to participate in the programme.

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Programme Benefits

Monetary Grant

₹1,00,000 (Rs. One Lakh) per artist

Dedicated Mentorship

Access to mentors for six months, addressing art practice, ideation, critical thinking, professionalisation and portfolio outreach. This includes studio visits, written feedback and one-on-one online or in-person sessions.

Programme Sessions

8-10 artist talks, studio visits, workshops, and peer exchanges, in-person and online. Customised around the artist's practice, not following a one-size-fits-all approach.

Travel and Accommodation

For artists travelling from outside Bangalore, expenses covered for all Bangalore-based sessions.

Exhibitions

Three physical exhibitions in Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.

Collector Access

Introductions to Artisera's verified client and collector database spread across 150+ cities around the world.

Documentation

Professional photography of all works and exhibitions. Press coverage across art and lifestyle media.

Programme Participation Credit

Threshold stays in the artist's professional record permanently. Artists become part of a select alumni community that grows with every cohort.

Gallery Representation

Being selected and successfully completing the programme opens the possibility of long-term gallery representation and support by Artisera.

Programme Timeline

The first edition of Threshold will run between August 2026 to April 2027, starting with the application process and ending with physical exhibitions displaying the work of the six jury-selected artists.

Application Window

1 August - 20 September, 2026

Jury Review and Artist Selection

21 September - 26 October, 2026

Session Modules for Selected Artists

10 November 2026 - 28 February, 2027

Exhibitions in 3 Indian Cities

1 March - 30 April, 2027

Artist Eligibility Criteria

THRESHOLD by Artisera is a programme for practising visual Indian artists, with a minimum of six years of committed work behind them. Ideal participants are those keen to take the next step in their art practice, demonstrating a willingness to evaluate, enhance and experiment with their artistic processes and output.

Please note: While a formal art or design degree is appreciated, it is not a mandatory requirement to apply for this programme.

You can apply to Threshold if

  • You are a practising visual artist with six or more years of committed practice.
  • You are between 28 and 50 years old as of 1 August, 2026.
  • You are an Indian citizen residing in India.
  • You can commit to being present for all session modules (scheduled between November 2026 to February 2027).

You cannot apply to Threshold if

  • You are currently enrolled in an educational or degree programme.
  • You are part of another mentorship programme with similar objectives.
  • You have a running exclusivity contract with a gallery or cultural space.
  • You are a hobby artist.

Application and Selection Process

  • Interested artists who meet our eligibility criteria can apply for the programme starting 1 August, 2026 using the Application Link at the end of this page (above the FAQ section). Applications sent via email or other channels of communication will not be considered.
  • Applications will only be accepted until the stated deadline of 20 September, 2026.
  • All applications will be vetted by the Artisera team before consideration by the jury.
  • The jury for Threshold will comprise of esteemed individuals from the art industry and our title partner - Brigade Group. Jury members will review applications under conditions of applicant anonymity (i.e. without seeing the artist's name or photo).
  • Each application will be scored against a fixed set of criteria, focusing on:
    • Commitment: Evidence of a clear, sustained practice of six or more years.
    • Originality: A distinctive voice, an unusual approach, a fresh visual appeal.
    • Intent: A clear and honest reason for wanting to be in this programme.
    • Potential: Evidence that this programme will push the work somewhere new.
    • Cohort balance: Six artists selected as a group — with attention to diversity across geography, gender, medium, and age.
  • Shortlisted artists will be interviewed by one or more jury members, either in person or via video call.
  • Six artists will be selected for the first edition of THRESHOLD by Artisera. A document detailing all terms of participation will be shared before onboarding and publicly announcing each name.

About Brigade Group - Our Title Partner

Artisera

Brigade Group is the title partner of THRESHOLD by Artisera in its first edition (2026-27).

Started in 1986, the Brigade Group, a publicly listed company, is one of India's most respected real estate developers, with a portfolio spanning residential, commercial, industrial, retail and hospitality sectors.

In 2019, Brigade Group inaugurated the Indian Music Experience Museum in Bangalore — a museum dedicated to the history of Indian music. It was built because the company believes that the places people live and work in, are defined as much by culture as by construction.

Their support of Threshold comes from the same thinking. Brigade powers this programme as its patron and not merely as a passive sponsor. Their support makes the grants possible, the exhibitions happen, and the programme meaningful.

As patron, Brigade Group will also review the work and understand the practice of each artist — and where the fit is right, explore how works by the selected artists can find a place within their projects and properties.

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Have Any Questions ?

For any questions related to Threshold, please write to us at threshold@artisera.com or call us on +91 78998 82277.

APPLY FOR THRESHOLD

Frequently Asked Questions

Since our inception in 2015, Artisera has had the privilege of working closely with artists — not only through exhibitions, but through conversations, studio visits and the many moments that shape an artistic journey. Along the way, one question kept returning: What more can we do?

We realised that while exhibitions are important, an artist's journey is built over years of practice, resilience and experimentation. Sometimes, the right opportunity, the right mentor, or simply having someone believe in the work at the right moment can change everything. Threshold is Artisera's commitment to creating those opportunities.

Threshold is open to practising visual artists — painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, and artists working across textile, video, installation, digital art and mixed media.

If your practice is rooted in the visual arts and you have been making serious work for six years or more, this programme is suitable for you. Performing arts, music, and writing are not included in the current edition of Threshold.

There is no application or participation fee. The first edition of Threshold (2026-27) is fully funded by the Brigade Group.

While a formal art or design degree is appreciated, it is not mandatory. What matters is the quality and commitment of your practice.

For the first edition of Threshold, we are only accepting applications from Indian citizens residing in India.

Yes, artists must be between 28 and 50 years old as of 1 August, 2026 to be eligible for selection.

While any previous solo exhibition or participation in group shows is favourable and can support a strong application, it is not a mandatory requirement for selection.

A commitment toward attending all sessions during the proposed four-month programme period (Nov 2026 to Feb 2027) is a pre-requisite for application. If you have a conflict, speak to us before applying. Artists who miss sessions without notice may be withdrawn from the programme.

Sessions taking place through the course of the programme will take place online or in-person. They will be built around the selected cohort instead of following a one-size-fits-all approach. The sessions will include artist interactions, studio visits, workshops, and one-on-one mentorship.

Each selected artist will work with a common lead mentor across the cohort. Where individual artists need specific guidance — whether in a particular medium, market, or area of practice — targeted connections with relevant experts will be facilitated throughout the programme.

Yes. The programme is built around producing new work for the three physical exhibitions at the end of the session modules. There will be studio visits, mentor feedback, and progress check-ins throughout.

Yes. All artists who complete the programme will receive a certificate of participation. More importantly, Threshold stays in your professional biography permanently.

Yes. The programme places no restrictions on any professional activities to sustain yourself. However, you may not be part of another artist development programme or residency through the course of your participation in Threshold.

Brigade Group is one of India's most respected real estate developers. They power Threshold not merely as a sponsor, but as a patron of the arts and a committed partner.

APPLY FOR THRESHOLD