Organizer Information
ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA (AFAF) is an art fair that has developed in Fukuoka as a bridge between Japan and the wider Asian art market since its founding in 2015. The 2026 edition marks its 11th year and takes place at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center; the fair is organized by the ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA General Incorporated Association, with support from Fukuoka City and the Culture Vision Japan Foundation. The 2025 edition drew more than 15,000 visitors over four days, the highest attendance in the fair's history, with numerous galleries and organizations from Japan and abroad taking part. The AFAF AWARD open-call exhibition is sponsored by E.SUN BANK, a Taiwan-headquartered commercial bank (referred to in some AFAF materials by a Japanese transliteration of its Chinese name); the source text's reference to "Tamayama Bank" appears to be a translation artifact for the same sponsor, E.SUN BANK, rather than a separate entity — worth double-checking against the Japanese-language original before publishing.
Title & Description
AFAF AWARD powered by E.SUN BANK — Open Call 2026
Held as an open-call exhibition within ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA 2026, the AFAF AWARD is aimed at discovering and supporting the next generation of artists working in Japan and internationally. Applications are open across two categories: the AFAF AWARD, for artists already active domestically and internationally who are aiming for further advancement, and the AFAF AWARD Gateway, aimed at artists not currently affiliated with a commercial gallery who want to build connections with the art market. Selected artists exhibit and sell work at a special booth inside the fair venue, gain introduction on the official AFAF website, and are offered opportunities to be matched with galleries. As part of the AFAF AWARD track, a Taiwan Art Inspection Support Fund is offered to help the Grand Prize winner travel for further study.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Photography
- Video/Film
- Mixed Media
- Art Fair
Eligibility
AFAF AWARD:
- Age and nationality are not restricted
- No restriction on form of expression for submitted works
- At least one submitted work within the specified size must be exhibited or sold at the AFAF 2026 venue (1–4 October 2026)
- Selected artists must be able to respond to a purchase request from sponsor E.SUN BANK; selection is revoked if the artist cannot sell the work if requested
- Selected artists must stay at the venue during the exhibition period to manage their work, submitting available attendance hours in advance
- Selected artists must be able to participate in delivery/setup (30 September 2026) and removal (4 October 2026)
- Selected artists must be able to attend the award ceremony at the venue on 1 October 2026
AFAF AWARD Gateway:
- Applicants must not be affiliated with a commercial gallery (an artist already handled by one gallery may still apply if able to also be handled by/belong to another gallery)
- Age and nationality are not restricted
- No restriction on form of expression for submitted works
- Same venue exhibition/sale, E.SUN BANK purchase-response, on-site attendance, delivery/removal, and award-ceremony attendance requirements as the AFAF AWARD track above
Program Benefits & Awards
AFAF AWARD:
- Grand Prize (1 winner): booth display/sale during the fair, introduction on the official AFAF website, gallery matching opportunities, prize money of ¥300,000 (including Taiwan Art Inspection Support Fund; Japan art tour support offered instead for Taiwan-resident winners), and a speaking role at the award ceremony
- Selected (multiple winners): booth display/sale, AFAF website introduction, gallery matching opportunities, prize money of ¥50,000, and a role at the award ceremony
- E.SUN BANK Award: selected work(s) purchased for the E.SUN BANK collection and featured on the official AFAF website (may not be awarded if no suitable work is found)
AFAF AWARD Gateway:
- Grand Prize (1–3 winners): booth display/sale, AFAF website introduction, gallery matching opportunities, prize money of ¥100,000, and a role at the award ceremony
- Selected (multiple winners): booth display/sale, AFAF website introduction, gallery matching opportunities, prize money of ¥50,000, and a role at the award ceremony
- Gallery Award (multiple recipients): selected by vote among AFAF's exhibiting galleries
- E.SUN BANK Award: selected work(s) purchased for the E.SUN BANK collection and featured on the official AFAF website (may not be awarded if no suitable work is found)
Application Fee
- AFAF AWARD: ¥5,000 (tax included), screening fee
- AFAF AWARD Gateway: ¥5,000 (tax included) general / ¥3,000 (tax included) for students (student ID photo upload required)
- Payment due by 23:59 on 9 August 2026, ahead of the application form deadline
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Screening fee payment deadline: 9 August 2026
- Application form response deadline: 10 August 2026, 12:00 (noon)
- First-round results announced: 1 September 2026
- Judges announced: mid-July 2026 (planned)
- Delivery/move-in: 30 September 2026
- Final judging (Grand Prize, Gallery Award, E.SUN BANK Award): 30 September 2026
- Exhibition period: 1–4 October 2026
- Award ceremony: 1 October 2026
- Move-out: 4 October 2026
Location
Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Fukuoka, Japan
Additional Details
- Transportation costs for delivering and setting up work, and other costs related to the artist's stay, are the responsibility of the selected individual
- Payment methods accepted for the screening fee: bank transfer, credit card, convenience store payment, PayPal, Rakuten Pay, PayPay balance, or carrier payment
- Judges for both categories are scheduled to be announced around mid-July 2026; the Gallery Award specifically is judged by AFAF's exhibiting galleries