Artist Residencies in Kyoto

Kyoto Art Center

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto Art Center's Artist-in-Residence Program supports emerging artists and researchers in pursuing creative activities in Kyoto, alternating annually between visual arts and performing arts, with focused on visual arts, literature, and cross-genre works. Participants must plan and implement public exchange projects and communicate in English or Japanese, with stays up to three months between April and March . The program provides accommodation, a studio, round-trip economy airfare, a 200,000 JPY production subsidy, and coordinator assistance.

NPO ANEWAL GALLERY

Kyoto, Japan

NPO ANEWAL GALLERY in Kyoto, Japan, runs non-profit international artist residency programs such as Kyoto Kinugasa Art Residence for Community (KKARC) and AN AIR, welcoming artists, writers, curators, researchers, and educators worldwide for personal exploration, professional development, co-living, and community collaboration. These programs provide accommodation, workspaces or studios (including garage studio for visual artists), and facilitate connections with local culture, historical sites, galleries, and artists, often in partnership with Kyoto Art Center. Residencies emphasize interaction with the Kinugasa area community, urban planning insights, and broadening artistic viewpoints beyond disciplines.

Oharano Studio Gallery

Kyoto, Japan

Oharano Studio Gallery in Kyoto's Oharano area offers artist residencies where participants engage with the region's rich nature, history, local research, and community exchanges to create artworks. Selected artists receive a free two-week stay, with their work featured in Don Magazine Issue 14, releasing September 20, . The program operates from an art studio space that doubles as a gallery for exhibitions.

The Kyoto Retreat

Kyoto, Japan

The Kyoto Retreat is an international residency designed for artists, curators, and writers seeking research and inspiration in Kyoto, Japan. The program offers participants a tranquil environment rooted in Japan’s cultural heritage, ideal for creative reflection rather than production. It emphasizes immersion in local traditions such as tea ceremonies, ikebana, and historical architecture. Participants are selected from all career stages and work across a wide range of artistic disciplines. The residency supports solo creative exploration, providing private accommodation in a shared house and a stipend for meals and local travel. Flights and local transportation are arranged for accepted residents, ensuring a smooth transition to the experience. While structured events are included, the residency encourages rest, cultural engagement, and self-directed discovery. The Kyoto Retreat champions inclusivity and maintains a supportive environment free from discrimination.

Villa Kujoyama

Kyoto, Japan

Villa Kujoyama is a pluridisciplinary research residency located in Kyoto, Japan that has welcomed established and emerging artists, artisans, and creators since 1992. The residency provides time and space for residents to dedicate themselves fully to their practice and research while engaging with artistic, cultural, academic, and economic communities across Japan. It is operated by Institut français du Japon and supported by the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation.

Yamaguchi Shoten

Kyoto, Japan

Yamaguchi Shoten is an academic book publisher in Kyoto offering artist-in-residence stays in a historic Mingei-style building. Welcomes artists, designers, researchers, writers interested in folk art, handicrafts for 1-2 month residencies with shared facilities.