Free Artist 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.

Aomori Contemporary Art Centre, Aomori Public University

Japan

ACAC（アジア芸術文化センター）は、アーティスト・イン・レジデンス（AIR）プログラムを公募しています。現代美術作家、キュレーター、研究者など、文化芸術活動に携わる方々に、展覧会、パフォーマンス、ワークショップ、トークなどの活動に向けた準備の実践機会を提供しています。これらの活動を通して、世界中からアーティストが集まり、青森の地域社会と国際交流を行う機会を提供しています。選考に選ばれたアーティストは、最長3ヶ月間ACACに滞在することができ、滞在費、渡航費、制作費が支給されます。滞在中は、リサーチと制作活動に加え、ワークショップ、トーク、共同制作、地域社会との交流プログラムなどに参加し、展覧会やパフォーマンスなど、様々な形で成果をあげることができます。ACACは、アーティスト、学生、そして地域住民が多様な交流を通して芸術体験を育む機会を提供することで、芸術教育と芸術文化の振興を目指しています。Residency Programme since: 2002Description of Organisation: 青森公立大学附属国際芸術センター青森（ACAC）は、八甲田山麓のダイナミッ

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.

Beppu Project

Beppu City, Japan

Beppu Project is a non-profit art organization founded in April that operates artist residency programs in Beppu City, a renowned hot spring area in southern Japan. The organization hosts the KASHIMA Artist in Residence program (since ) and short-term residencies at Kiyoshima Apartment, welcoming artists across multiple disciplines to create work while engaging with the local community.

Casa Wabi Fundación (Foundation)

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Fundación Casa Wabi, a non-profit civil association, promotes contemporary art and local community engagement through its residency program. Located in three locations: Puerto Escondido, Mexico City, and Tokyo, Casa Wabi operates under the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, finding beauty in simplicity and imperfection. Founded by Mexican artist Bosco Sodi, the headquarters in Puerto Escondido is designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The residency program invites national and international artists to engage in multidisciplinary exchanges that foster social development. Residents benefit from comprehensive facilities, including studios, exhibition galleries, and communal spaces, to inspire creativity and community interaction.

CHINO BASE AIR

SHIGA, Japan

The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park (SCCP) in Shiga, Japan, offers an Artist in Residence program since 1992, providing ceramic artists and visual artists a creative space to work freely without a fixed curriculum. Residents can stay from 2 months to 1 year, with access to studios, accommodations (fee charged), technical support, exhibitions, and for guest artists, travel grants, artist fees, and material costs.

Contemporary Art Center Kitakyushu

Kitakyushu, Japan

Non-profit center est. 1997 in Kitakyushu for study/research in contemporary art. Offers fellowships for young artists/curators in art, curatorial work, design, architecture; includes studios, seminars, exhibitions.

DAIS Ishinomaki (Diversity Art Interactive Studio)

Japan

Name of Residency: DAIS AIRDAIS AIR is a self-directed Artist In Residence (AIR) program that emphasizes the production process rather than the result/outcome. Residents can interact with diverse communities and visitors, enjoy the natural environment, and “plan and execute their own plans.” Currently, we are still testing and developing pilot programs, but in the future we hope to launch the following four categories (at this point… so no guarantee):CategoriesInvitational Residency: Field Trip

DANCE BOX

Shin-Nagata, Japan

DANCE BOX is an artist residency program based in Shin-Nagata, Kobe, Japan, focused on contemporary dance and performing arts, welcoming international artists, scholars, and curators for experimentation and research often tied to local contexts like Shin-Nagata and Japanese society. Residencies typically last around 35 days or up to 8 months, providing housing, stipends, airfare support, and facilities for creation and public presentations in Kobe and partner locations. The program emphasizes collaboration with locals, rehearsal processes over final products, and themes such as transformations in arts and folk performing arts.

The premise includes a 70 years old concrete block building, two 100 years old wooden houses, a steel-frame warehouse with a ceiling height of 5 meters and a wooden warehouse with a ceiling height of 5 meters. The lumber warehouse with a ceiling height over 5 meters would be open to artists as a studio. The premise is accessible from two streets, therefore suitable as an open public space. The traditional Japanese wooden houses will be used for accommodation. After the completion of the artists

Edeiken International Arts Foundation

Yokohama, Japan

The Edeiken International Arts Foundation (EIAF) offers a one-month Artist-in-Residence program at 7artscafe in Yokohama, Japan, exclusively for professional musicians, composers, sound artists, and interdisciplinary creators. The program provides a $10,000 USD grant covering travel, housing, and living expenses, with residents required to present at least four free public events and a final concert or sound installation.

EIAF Artist-in-Residence Grant at 7artscafe for international musicians/sound artists. 1-month residency (Apr -Mar ), $10K grant for travel/housing/etc. Requires 4 public events & final performance.

Fukuoka Asian Art Museum Artist in Residence

Fukuoka, Japan

The Fukuoka Asian Art Museum Artist in Residence Program, started in 1999, invites local and international artists, including those from Asia, to stay in Fukuoka for 70-90 days to create and exhibit artworks such as paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, films, and performances. Participants collaborate with local artists and the public, organize workshops and talks, and contribute to cultural exchange and understanding of contemporary Asian art. The program provides studio space in Artist Cafe Fukuoka and short-stay apartment accommodation, with financial support for one person per group in open calls.

Hayama

Hayama-machi, Japan

Hayama Artist Residency, located in the scenic town of Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, offers a nurturing environment for artists to immerse in Japanese culture. The residency includes a roundtrip flight to Japan, shared accommodations at hôtel ami hayama for 4 weeks, and a weekly stipend for meals and transportation. Artists enjoy a blend of scheduled events and free time for reflection, without the pressure to create new work. A highlight is the group exhibition hosted by KOKI ARTS in Tokyo's art district, Bakurocho. Selection for the residency is made by an esteemed committee of international curators and arts professionals. The program fosters future opportunities, including a fee waiver for reapplying artists the following year.

Kamiyama Artist in Residence

Tokushima, Japan

The Kamiyama Artist in Residence (KAIR) program, established in 1999, invites 3-5 artists annually to Kamiyama, Tokushima, Japan, for collaborative projects with locals, culminating in exhibitions, workshops, and open studios. Artists reside in provided two-story houses and studios, drawing inspiration from the town's natural surroundings and cultural heritage to create original works. A self-funded 'Bed & Studio' option is available outside the main September-November period.

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.

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.

The Seto Ceramics and Glass Art Center in Seto, Japan, offers an artist residency program focused on international exchange through ceramics and glass art, inviting non-Japanese artists to create works, interact with locals, and share techniques rooted in Seto's historic pottery tradition. Residents receive housing, materials, a daily stipend, studio access, and travel support for stays typically lasting 45-60 days, though the program has been suspended since .

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.

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.

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.