Okoname City Artist-in-Residence program “TOUCH! TOKONAME”

About the Artist-in-Residence program “TOUCH!TOKONAME”

In 2024, we will hold an artist-in-residence program “TOUCH!TOKONAME” as part of the special commemorative project for the 70th anniversary of Tokoname City. This program provides a studio and residence to artists from Japan and abroad to conduct fieldwork and artistic activities in Tokoname city with the cooperation of citizens and local artists. At the end of their stay in Tokoname, the artists will hold an exhibition and share with the public what they have gained through their stay in Tokoname.
The purpose of this program is to provide artists with opportunities to make use of the experiences they gain through their stay in Tokoname for their future activities. Another purpose of this program is for citizens and local artists of Tokoname to find new values and possibilities through interacting with artists in this program.

Theme of “TOUCH! TOKONAME” and What is expected of artists

After the pandemics, this project aims to reevaluate the value of visiting various regions through experiencing the local nature and culture, and engaging in direct exchanges and collaboration.
We hope that the resident artists will experience Tokoname’s unique landscape, the lifestyles of people, and local culture and industry nurtured here. Through interacting with local artists, craftsmen and children, they will discover the charms, characteristics, and challenges of the region, and reflect on their experiences in their art.
We believe that citizens and local artists can learn a great deal from resident artists with different backgrounds and the way they perceive and express the city.
We also hope that the relationships formed here will last a long time.
We hope that you will experience the atmosphere of this town with your own eyes, enjoy interacting with people, and express what you feel in this town in your own way.

Guideline For Applicants

Residence Period
September 12, 2024 (Thursday) to October 31, 2024 (Wednesday),
a duration of 50 days

Number of Artists
approx. 3 individuals or groups
Requirements (Partial)- Applicants must be individuals or groups of artists who are currently active in various fields such as visual arts, crafts, architecture, and design. Mixed media artists are also acceptable.
– must be able to stay in Tokoname city for the entire period. (traveling during the residency is acceptable.)
– Submit a report on the residency in the prescribed format (English or Japanese) within one month after the end of the residency.
– The applicant must behave in a sensible manner in the local community during the period of stay, and must be able to interact with other artists and local residents in a friendly manner.
– Be able to communicate in English or Japanese.
– Must be under 60 years of age at the time of application.
– Participate in the following programs during their stay in Tokoname.

*Please refer to the ‘Application Guidelines’ for more details.
ProgramVisit to city hall, welcome party, city tour: September 13 – September 16, 2024
Homestay: September 21 – September 23, 2024 (2 nights, 3 days)
Open studio: September 28 – September 29, 2024 (1 day)
School visit program: October 15 – October 18, 2024 (1 day or more)
Exhibition, farewell party: October 19 – October 27, 2024
Support for Artists
– stipend (including meals), production expenses, and shipping: A total of 300,000 yen will be provided.
– Travel and transportation allowance: Up to 50,000 yen will be provided.
– Accommodation: Free of charge at designated guesthouses in the city.

– Production location：Konya no Minaho（backside of 3-200 Okujo, Tokoname , Aichi, Japan）
– Main exhibition site：cafe TSUNEZUNE （2F, 7-164 Sakaemachi, Tokoname , Aichi, Japan）
*If you wish to exhibit your work outside of the main exhibition site (including outdoor exhibition), please consult with the organizer.
– Rental Bycicle
– support for living and artistic activities
Application Documents

Please submit the three documents(A-C) via the application form.
Deadline: Tuesday, January 26, 2024, 23:59 (Japan time)
A）Application Form (google account is necessary)
B）Curriculum Vitae（CV）(free format)
C）Portfolio（Images of past works (10 files or less, each file should be up to 5 MB) and descriptions of the works）

*google account is required to submit the application form. If you do not have a google account, please download the Word file of A) from the link bellow, and send it to touch.tokoname@gmail.com with attachment of A) B) C).