Printmaking 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.

Art Studio Itsukaichi

Akiruno City, Japan

Art Studio Itsukaichi is a three-month artist-in-residence program in Akiruno City, Tokyo that invites young printmakers (one international and two Japanese) to create new works in a communal atmosphere. The program emphasizes cultural exchange through community workshops, exhibitions, and engagement with local residents, with artists expected to donate their residency artworks to Akiruno City.

The Karuizawa Mokuhanga School offers artist residencies focused on mokuhanga, traditional Japanese woodblock printmaking, suitable for beginners and professionals, with personal tuition from a qualified artist in a fully equipped studio within a traditional Japanese house. Residencies provide access to professional tools, tatami room accommodation, and inspiration from Karuizawa's scenic Alpine setting, near Tokyo. Options range from guided learning to self-directed work for experienced practitioners, emphasizing skill development in an authentic environment.

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.