Artist Residencies in Tokyo

AIR 3331

Tokyo, Japan

AIR 3331, based in the heart of Tokyo, Japan, is an Artist in Residence program that continues to thrive despite the closure of its parent facility, 3331 Arts Chiyoda, in 2023. Managed by Command A, an artist-run initiative, AIR 3331 immerses artists in the local community and offers a platform to cultivate creativity across various disciplines including visual and media art, design, performance arts, music, and architecture. The program, under the supervision of Masato Nakamura, a prominent figure in Japan's art scene, provides artists the unique opportunity to stay, create, and present their work in one of the world’s most vibrant cities, encouraging deep engagement with the local culture and art community.

Art Center Ongoing

Tokyo, Japan

Art Center Ongoing, founded in January 2008 in Tokyo, Japan, is a vibrant art complex featuring a gallery, library, and café. Known for fostering experimental art, it has introduced numerous artists and facilitated various events, including talks, performances, and workshops. Since 2013, Art Center Ongoing has run an artist-in-residence program, building a strong network with the international art community. The center offers a 2-month residency, providing accommodation and exhibition opportunities, and aims to be a space where diverse individuals can engage with contemporary art. Situated in the culturally rich Kichijoji area, it serves as a crucial hub for young, active artists in Tokyo’s art scene.

Arts Initiative Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

Arts Initiative Tokyo (AIT) is a residency program in Tokyo that hosts artists, curators, writers, educators, and practitioners for 1-3 month research-focused stays, emphasizing interdisciplinary work, international exchange, and connections to the Japanese art scene rather than production or studio work. It operates on a partnership model with international organizations, providing housing in a converted Japanese storehouse in Yukigaya or central apartments, and encourages participation in AIT's educational and dialogue activities. Recent themes include holism, well-being, climate crisis, art brut, spirituality, and alternative education.

KAB Library and Residency

Tokyo, Japan

KAB Library and Residency is a membership library and artist residency program located in an old renovated folk house in Kyojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, operating as a guesthouse for international artists and curators to immerse in research and creation. Established in January by a private organization, it combines a mysterious library with lodging facilities in the heart of old Tokyo. Visitors are welcome by appointment only, with easy access from nearby stations like Keisei-Hikifune.

MI-LAB (Mokuhanga Innovation Laboratory) is an artist-in-residence program founded in that provides international artists, printmakers, and print teachers with extensive training in mokuhanga (water-based woodblock printmaking) techniques under professional Japanese instructors. The program, located at the foot of Mount Fuji near Lake Kawaguchi, offers residencies ranging from introductory to advanced studies, enabling participants to explore traditional printmaking techniques while experiencing Japanese culture.

The Saison Foundation

Tokyo, Japan

The Saison Foundation's Artist in Residence program, based at Morishita Studio in Tokyo, supports international artists and arts managers in researching Japan's contemporary performing arts scene through residencies focused on theater, dance, and performance. It provides grants including travel, daily living expenses up to 5,000 JPY, research costs, accommodation, and studio access, with typical durations of 1-3 months such as November-December and January-March periods. The program fosters international networks and collaborations by selecting fellows expected to influence the global performing arts field.

Tokyo Arts and Space (TOKAS)

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Arts and Space (TOKAS) offers the International Creator Residency Program, inviting distinguished and highly motivated international creators in fields such as visual art, film, design, and architecture. The program provides opportunities for creative activities in Tokyo, emphasizing cultural exchange and independent project work. The residency is divided into two main categories: Individual Projects and Theme Projects. Individual Projects offer a 3-month residency during specified periods, while Theme Projects focus on specific themes, encouraging collaborative exploration. The residency provides airfare, living expenses, a fee for creative work, and living space in single rooms, with shared studio facilities. Applications are evaluated based on artistic merit and project proposals, culminating in a result exhibition or open studio presentation. TOKAS fosters an enriching environment for creators to develop their work and engage with Tokyo’s vibrant cultural landscape.

Youkobo Art Space

Tokyo, Japan

Youkobo Art Space is a Tokyo-based artist residency program providing studios, accommodation, and exhibition spaces for domestic and international artists to create new work, engage in research, and foster cultural exchange. Established in a former clinic, it offers flexible residency options prioritizing artists' goals across various disciplines, with opportunities for community involvement and networking. The program operates on a self-funded rental basis without financial support.