OPEN CALL: Myoju Residency Fellowship near Kyoto, Japan

Based in Shiga, we run a jewelry brand using freshwater pearls from Lake Biwa while creating a space where art and people connect through experiences. Myoju 明珠 — meaning “shining pearl” — is an artist residency rooted in the quiet richness of Shiga, shaped by the nature and deep history of Lake Biwa and the belief that each person carries a unique inner radiance. Located in Omihachiman, a historic merchant town and home of the Biwako Biennale, about 35 minutes from Kyoto, the residency offers a setting where Western contemporary perspectives meet an Eastern historic landscape. Alongside the residency, we operate a small gallery café that serves as a gentle meeting point between artists and the local community. Here, artists live, research, create, and engage with their surroundings in an ongoing exchange shaped by intention and meaningful relationships, forming a creative ecosystem where international and local perspectives naturally meet and grow. We welcome artists working in: • Visual arts • Literary arts • Media/Digital arts • Curatorial practice Above all, we believe every artist is a Myoju — unique, beautiful, and worthy of being seen. Residency Duration • Upcoming cohort: Sept 1 – Sept 28, 2026 (fully sponsored by the host) Artists are responsible for: • travel • meals • insurance • personal expenses Residents receive access to: • Private bedroom • Private studio • Shared communal area • Shared kitchen, bath & toilet Optional opportunities: • End‑of‑term exhibition at the gallery café • Consignment sales at the café after residency We evaluate based on: • Resonance — why Myoju / Omihachiman is meaningful for your project • Clarity of intention — what you hope to explore or develop during the residency • Collaborative ability — ability to work both independently and in a group setting Due to our small team, only selected applicants will be contacted.