Interdisciplinary Residencies in Japan

Aomori Contemporary Art Centre, Aomori Public University

152-6, 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

Arcus

Moriya, Ibaraki, Japan

The Arcus Artist-in-Residence Program, established in 1994 near Tokyo, supports contemporary artists in developing their creative vision. The program, known for its serene setting and focus on research-based art, invites artists to engage with Japan's vibrant art scene and local community. It offers a 90-day residency with a private studio, accommodation, production fee, and living expenses. Open to international artists proficient in English and not enrolled in non-PhD programs, Arcus fosters critical, open, and international artistic exploration.

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.

Awaji Art Circus

Awaji, Japan

Awaji Art Circus (AAC) is an international performing arts festival held annually since on Awaji Island, Japan, that gathers talented performers in circus, dance, and other performing arts genres from around the world. The program focuses on regional revitalization through collaborative performances, cultural exchange, and opportunities for artists to engage with local musicians, dancers, and communities while experiencing Japanese culture.

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.

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.

Fusion

Kaga, Japan

Fusion is a multidisciplinary, cross-cultural artist residency located in Ishikawa, Japan. This immersive program brings together artists from various disciplines, including visual arts, performance, music, and dance, to create and collaborate in the serene setting of Kaga City, a traditional Japanese hot spring resort. The residency provides artists with shared accommodations, studio spaces, and event venues to showcase their work through exhibitions, performances, and collaborative activities. Participants engage with local culture, explore Japan’s natural beauty, and interact with fellow artists, creating a unique environment where tradition and contemporary artistic practices intersect. The program emphasizes collaboration, dialogue, and artistic experimentation, fostering a global exchange of ideas.

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.

Koganecho Area Management Center

Yokohama, Japan

The Koganecho Area Management Center (KAMC) in Yokohama, Japan, runs artist-in-residence programs to revitalize the Koganecho district through art and community engagement. It offers short-term residencies of 3 months and long-term ones of 1 year (renewable up to 5 years), providing studios and shared facilities for active artists of various genres. Programs support research, creation, local interactions, and public presentations, with a focus on visual arts, performing arts, and more.

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.

MA UMI RESIDENCIES is a self-funded, not-for-profit international hub for artists and researchers located on the northern peninsula of Ishigaki Island, Japan, fostering experimentation with land, ocean, and local communities amid climate change concerns. It hosts one resident at a time for short-term stays of about 14 days, emphasizing fieldwork, interdisciplinary practices, and public presentations without being results-driven. Founded by artist and architect Valérie Portefaix, it includes sites like Green Rabbit, Pink Turtle, and Blue Seahorse, promoting sustainable ecological and economic models.

Name of Residency: Metropolitan FukujusouThis old house was built in a time when Japan was not rich yet, the inside structure is simple and minimal. It may be inconvenient for you, but you will be able to feel something like Zen by being in this simple and minimal space, this simple lifestyle. And you will become feeling comfortable after you got used to it, and discover the pure beauty in these, and be able to have new inspirations. Such the experience is just one example, but it would be pleas

Space Department Nara

Nara, Japan

SPACE DEPARTMENT Nara is a design hub and artist-in-residence facility in the World Heritage city of Nara, Japan, welcoming artists, architects, designers, researchers, and students focused on spatial design, architecture, and creative activities related to 'space.' It supports residents in conducting research, creating works inspired by Japanese culture and philosophy, and presenting results through workshops, events, exhibitions, or talks to connect with local communities. Residencies typically last 1-6 months, with private accommodation and workspace provided for a fee, and no stipend offered.

TartAMI Residence

240-1 Ikedashimochou, Japan

This is a new-style art using old tatami mat as a canvas, tartami.

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 Center for Arts and Media

Yamaguchi, Japan

The Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (YCAM) in Yamaguchi City, Japan, hosts artist-in-residence programs focused on creating innovative artworks that integrate media technology, often in collaboration with local residents, experts, and the center's InterLab research team. Artists utilize the center's facilities, including studios and exhibition spaces, for production, workshops, lectures, and research aimed at advancing media art and exploring its social role. Opened in and designed by Arata Isozaki, YCAM emphasizes interdisciplinary projects from prototyping to presentation without on-site housing.

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.