Inside The Red Tent: An invite-only space for women, by women

Somewhere between a circle and a sanctuary, The Red Tent isn’t your average women’s group — it’s a feeling. It’s the soft murmur of shared experiences, the rustle of fabric in a movement workshop, the hum of breath in collective silence. Tucked within the creative grounds of Nuanu in Bali, this 90-square-meter space is gradually becoming the heartbeat of a community of women, united by a shared purpose of sisterhood and empowerment.

So, what is The Red Tent?

The Red Tent began as a whisper among women working at Nuanu, a creative city in Bali designed to nurture innovation and community. They weren’t looking to create just another event space or social club.

Kelsang, a founding member of The Red Tent, brings over a decade of experience in PR and communications, with a strong background in art, culture, and community-focused initiatives. As the Director of Public Relations & Special Art Projects at Nuanu Creative City in Bali, she leads projects and events that establish Nuanu as a vibrant centre for creativity and collaboration. Her work on cultural platforms like the Serendipity Arts Festival and curatorial efforts with spaces such as PHOTOINK gallery in New Delhi reflect her ability to merge cultural programming with strategic storytelling. According to Kelsang, The Red Tent’s mission strongly resonates with Nuanu’s core values of fostering creativity, meaningful connection, and community-driven growth.

With the need for greater inclusivity amongst women to share and lead, The Red Tent is a self-governed, not-for-profit initiative run by a growing circle of more than 50 women from Nuanu’s working community and regular guests who have been part of its journey. As Kelsang shares, “It remains a sanctuary shaped by and for the women who use it.”

With every decision involving at least one Balinese representative, Kelsang describes The Red Tent as “a homecoming” — a space rooted in local respect while embracing a spirit of international inclusivity.

From a journaling circle led by a poet one day to a movement therapy session with a dancer the next, followed by an intimate storytelling night rooted in Balinese folklore, the founding members of the collective span a wildly inspiring mix of artists, educators, wellness practitioners and cultural leaders. It’s eclectic, electric, and deeply intentional.

No tickets, just trust

The Red Tent runs on a referral-based membership model. It’s not exclusive, but it is intimate. “It’s about creating a ripple effect — one woman brings another, ensuring that everyone who enters comes with a shared understanding of respect, sisterhood, and care,” Kelsang enthuses as the space prides itself on being an environment where women feel comfortable expressing themselves authentically. This isn’t about gatekeeping — it’s about curating emotional safety.

Along with creative residencies, healing sessions, and women’s leadership circles, there are, of course, public events and workshops that may require additional registration.

House rules apply?

A few things make The Red Tent sacred: no alcohol unless licensed, no documentation without consent, and no commercial activities without approval. Oh, and no men — not because they’re unwelcome, but because this space was intentionally created to allow women to speak, heal, and simply live freely without navigating societal expectations.

A celebration of women, by women

The Red Tent’s coming-of-age moment arrived on International Women’s Day, a day that brought the ethos of the space fully to life. More than 40 women liberated the room with women’s circles, and panel discussions featuring changemakers like Kania Maniasa, Environmental Education Activist and Executive Director of Green School Foundation, Karunia Fischer, Founder of RIMMBA, Auditya Sari, Head of Nuanu Social Fund, and Jimena Mesonero-Romanos, Founder of CHIKA Moments.

As part of its mission to build meaningful connections with women’s collectives both locally and globally, The Red Tent has already kickstarted powerful initiatives, most notably the birth of Project Nyai, initiated by Kania Maniasa and Auditya Sari. This leadership and communication program is dedicated to equipping Indonesian women with the tools to speak with confidence and lead with strength, compassion, and purpose. Rooted in the historical and cultural weight of the word Nyai, a term that signifies wisdom, leadership, and deep respect, the project aims to cultivate self-assured, value-driven leaders across Indonesia.

Through mentorship, skill-sharing, and cross-cultural collaboration, The Red Tent is steadily expanding its impact beyond its physical space while remaining grounded in its original spirit. As it continues nurturing its core community, it also looks outward, exploring partnerships with like-minded women’s organisations in Bali and beyond.

The sacredness of sisterhood

That, perhaps, is the real gift of The Red Tent: a place where women don’t have to become anything — they just get to be.