The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, which closed its physical space in New York in 2024 and now operates as a “global museum,” has named the recipients of its annual art awards and grantees for its research and artistic programs.
The recipients of the 2025 Rubin Museum Himalayan Art Prize are Khadhok – a collective of Tibetan artists. As part of the annual award, established in 2024, the winner will receive a $30,000 award, making it the largest award of its kind supporting Himalayan artists. Winners are selected for “leaving a mark on creative and critically relevant dialogue between Himalayan art and contemporary life,” according to a press release.
Founded in 2023, Khadhok is an artist collective based in Dharamsala, India, providing a dedicated creative space for contemporary visual artists. Its founding members include Lea Taake, Tashi Nyima and Tenzin Melak. Photo: Tendol Kyabje; they formed the group inspired by the late Tibetan artist Jigme Choedak.
“When we first heard about this award, we were deeply moved,” founding members of Kaduk said in a statement. “As a young collective, being recognized by an institution with a long history of Himalayan art makes us feel truly seen and valued. This recognition boosts our confidence and encourages us to continue to grow. Most importantly, it changes the possibilities for Khadhok, allowing us to build a solid foundation that will truly last and support artists and our community for many years to come.”
Rubin’s 2025 research and arts program grantees were also selected, with 15 projects receiving a total of $200,000 in funding. This funding program, also launched in 2024, supports arts and research initiatives that promote the rich cultural heritage and living traditions of the Himalayan region. The 15 projects were selected from 132 applications, with grant costs ranging from $3,000 to $25,000, depending on the size, impact and need of each project. The full list of grant recipients is below.
“Collaborating with Himalayan art and living artists has been part of the way we work since the founding of the Rubin Museum in 2004,” said Jorrit Britschgi, executive director of the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, in a statement. “As a museum without walls, we hope to increase the global visibility and awareness of Tibetan and Himalayan art.”
Together, the Rubin Art Prize and Rubin Grant will provide $230,000 in direct support to artists and researchers related to the Himalayan region.
The full list of Rubin Arts grantees is below:
Nawang Tsering and Jamyang Tenzin
Tibetan School Art Curriculum: Teaching Resources and Materials for Art Educators
$22,000
VASTBhutan
Lonta Arts Festival (LAF) 2026
$15,000
Tenzoni
camp mountain clues
$15,000
chinle
Lima Bronze Snow Leopard Art Project – Cultural Heritage Recycling
$18,000
White Crane Movie (Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam)
The earth is my witness
$12,000
Human clay making CIC
Weaving the threads of Bhutanese heritage
$18,500
Lujan Rai Dongor
The Wheel of Life – a contemporary reimagining of reincarnation
$5,000
The complete list of Rubin research grantees is as follows:
nyandak studio
Documenting and protecting Zanskar’s Buddhist heritage
$25,000
Treasure Keeper Training
Conservation of Buddhist Art in Mongolia: Research and Training of Painters and Community Members Responsible for Conservation in Remote Areas
$20,000
Lowden Foundation
Documenting thangkas and religious artifacts at Sumtrhang Samdrup Chödzong
$19,500
Chiara Bellini (With Eduardo Ferrari and Sabrina Ciolfi)
Feed the fire or worship the ashes? Disagreement and controversy over Himalayan art restoration methods
$12,500
Dawa Gyalpo, Thandin Pagyor and Shirin Barakzai
Record Champa kham dance
$6,250
Kelsang Dorji Bhutia
Reuniting the Temple: Restoring and Returning Sikkim Buddhist Knowledge and Material Culture from Museums to Forests
$5,250
Suryog Prajapati
The Assemblage of the Courtyard City: Architecture and Monasticism in the Kathmandu Valley (c. 15th to 18th centuries)
$3,000
Brianna Brightley
The Anatomy of the Buddha: Visualization of the Body in Tibetan Medicine, 1687-1900
$3,000
