Curation Residencies in Japan

Aomori Contemporary Art Center (ACAC)

Aomori, Japan

The Aomori Contemporary Art Center (ACAC) offers an Artist-in-Residence program titled "SPINNING SCAPES" that invites contemporary artists, curators, and researchers to engage deeply with their practices in a supportive and fully equipped environment. Located at the foothills of the Hakkoda Mountains in Aomori, Japan, the ACAC is celebrated for its distinctive architecture by ANDO Tadao and its integration into the lush local landscape, offering a unique space for creative exploration and public engagement. Residents at ACAC can participate in various lengths of stays, from two weeks to up to six two-week terms, depending on their project needs. The program is flexible, allowing for both in-person and remote participation. It encourages artists to immerse themselves in the local community and environment to inspire new "scapes" or perspectives within their work, whether through exhibitions, performances, or other collaborative projects. Key features include access to specialized workshops (engraving, silkscreen, ceramics, digital production, construction), a personal studio space, communal living areas, and exhibition opportunities. The residency is supported by a dedicated team, offering logistical, technical, and community engagement assistance, aimed at fostering meaningful cultural exchanges and expanding the artists' practices and visibility.

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.

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.

PARADISE AIR is an artist-in-residence program in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, housed in the vacant floors of a former hotel above a pachinko parlor, launched in to support artists, curators, and researchers. It offers three main programs: SHORTSTAY (about 3 weeks, open year-round), LONGSTAY (3 months with comprehensive support including travel and accommodation), and LEARN (fostering city interactions). The program aims to enrich Matsudo's culture through artist-resident collaborations.

Sapporo Artist in Residence

Sapporo, Japan

S-AIR (Sapporo Artist-in-Residence) was established in 1999 with partial funding by the Agency for Cultural Affairs to run an artist-in-residence programme in Hokkaido. Since , S-AIR has hosted 3 artists and one curator/researcher each year, mostly on an exchange basis, fostering unique arts and culture at an international level by inviting leading contemporary artists and promoting exchange with local artists and communities.

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.

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.

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.