Kandima Maldives has unveiled its first on-island ‘Art for Biodiversity’ Exhibition to celebrate Maldives Independence Day this weekend, and as a pilot project brought to life by the resort’s long-running KULA Art Initiative, a platform dedicated to promoting Maldivian creativity and connecting local artists, craftspeople and aspiring talents with the tourism industry. 

Backed by a grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the exhibition will unfold as an island-wide art trail throughout the summer, with an art trail for travellers to discover – featuring creations from 20+ Maldivian artists from across the atoll and globally, spanning a diverse mix of mediums from painting and digital art to installation, and styles ranging from hyper-realism to abstraction. A closing ceremony will be taking place in the latter half of September to mark the finale of the season-long showcase.

Open to artists from around the world following a global call for submissions earlier in the year, the exhibition brings together works united by themes of biodiversity, conservation and ocean ecology, and is an effort to raise awareness on the importance of sustainability through creative work and storytelling. 

Further details on the exhibition, including specific works by shortlisted artists and wider collaborations with creative talents, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Bridging Conservation and Creativity

By embedding local fine art into the tourism value chain, this initiative aims to build a scalable model for biodiversity finance that:

  • Elevates Maldivian Art: providing a high-visibility platform for local and emerging Maldivian artists, connecting them with an international audience and premium market
  • Funds Conservation & Empowers Communities: generating revenue for local conservation, with proceeds dedicated to the Dhaalu Valla conservation area and community-led projects
  • Inspires Wider Change: creating an innovative finance solution that can be replicated across the Maldives through future resort partnerships

Part of Kandima’s Wider Creative Vision

Launched in 2017 when the resort first opened, KULA is an ongoing year-round programme anchored by annual returns of the KULA Art Festival and artist residencies at the KULA Art Studio, where guests can take part in painting classes and other creative sessions hosted by a rotation of resident artists. A related fund, financed by USD1 from every room night booked at the resort, supports local schools and artists through equipment, internships, scholarships and further education