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From the residency and the coast.
Photos of the coast around Rawkan. Swap in shots of the house, studios, and residents' work as they come in.
Rawkan is a self-organized artist residency in Dahab, South Sinai, Egypt, founded in May 2026. Set where the Sinai desert mountains meet the Red Sea's reef-lined coast, it operates within a landscape shaped by the sea, the desert, and the craft traditions of the region's Bedouin communities. The program brings together local and visiting artists for independent practice, exchange, and collaboration.
At its core, Rawkan is conceived as an exchange: each cohort brings together artists based in Dahab and artists arriving from abroad, so the stay is a dialogue rather than a one-way visit. Time, practice, and perspective are shared between people from here and people from elsewhere.
The house you stay in is also where you work. Rooms and studio space share the same roof, so there's no commute between living and making. The program favors long, unhurried stays over short showcases, and residents pay a day rate that covers their room, food, and studio, while also supporting Dahab's local artists and craftspeople directly.
Rawkan favors sustained, independent practice over a packed schedule. Outside the organised trips, your time is your own.
Covers your room, wifi, food, and transfer from Sharm El Sheikh airport or by bus from Cairo. Residents also get group trips organised through the season, and materials support where it's needed and available locally. Staying at Rawkan also puts money directly into Dahab's local economy and its artists and craftspeople.
Rooms and workspace share the same roof, in accommodation around town. There's no commute and no separate site to manage. Space is arranged around the four residents in town at any time, and shaped by whatever each artist's practice needs.
Outside the studio, Dahab's reef and the Sinai's desert trails are part of daily life for most residents.
Calm, shallow water directly off the lagoon, year-round.
Reef starts a short swim from shore, no boat needed.
Dive centres nearby, including the Blue Hole and Canyon.
Dahab is one of the world's best-known free-diving spots.
Desert and mountain trails into the Sinai interior.
Steady wind and flat water along the bay most of the year.
Workshops with Dahab-based artists and craftspeople are part of the exchange at Rawkan. Details and dates will be added here as they're confirmed.
Photos of the coast around Rawkan. Swap in shots of the house, studios, and residents' work as they come in.
Send your application materials to rawkan@tutamail.com or message us directly on Instagram.