AKP Phnom Penh, August 18, 2026 --

Art for Kep has launched “Ten Boats+,” an international open call inviting artists, collectives and communities to transform retired wooden fishing boats from Kep into contemporary artworks.

Presented with principal support from the Asian Development Bank, the initiative will be a centerpiece of Kep International Art Week – Edition 01, scheduled for Dec. 11-14, 2026.

The project will feature at least 10 retired fishing hulls, with artists able either to preserve the boats while transforming them into artworks or dismantle them and reuse their timber in new creations.

Selected participants will receive production support, accommodation, curatorial and technical assistance, and international exhibition opportunities. Some completed works will remain along Kep’s shoreline, while others may travel to museums and biennales.

Art for Kep said the initiative aims to preserve the cultural heritage of Kep’s fishing communities while promoting art, environmental conservation and the coastal city as a major creative destination.

Two free public information sessions will be held in Phnom Penh on Aug. 25 and Siem Reap on Aug. 27, both at 6:00 p.m.

Art for Kep is an artist residency and cultural initiative based in Kep, Cambodia, backed by Knai Bang Chatt and Kep West alongside partners including the Cambodia International Film Festival, Kep Music City, and Marine Conservation Cambodia.

By Heng Panha