Organizer Information
Mori Contemporary Art Foundation (MoriCAF) is a Tokyo-based foundation dedicated to supporting the international development of Japanese contemporary art. Its activities include the Curator Residency Program, which enables overseas-based curators to research Japanese contemporary art and build relationships with artists and art professionals in Japan, and the Mori Art Award, which recognizes mid-career Japanese artists from a global perspective. MoriCAF is based at Roppongi Hills Mori Tower in Tokyo.
Title & Description
MoriCAF Curator Residency Program 2027
The MoriCAF Curator Residency Program 2027 invites experienced curators living outside Japan to undertake research related to Japanese contemporary art. The residency provides selected curators with opportunities to meet artists, researchers and other art professionals and visit museums, exhibitions, festivals, galleries and alternative art spaces across Japan.
The program is designed to encourage international exchange, deepen knowledge of Japanese contemporary art and potentially lead to future exhibitions, research projects and professional collaborations. Applicants are particularly encouraged to propose research connected to a specific future exhibition or project rather than broad, general research. Selected participants are also expected to present the results of their research and submit a written report at the end of the residency.
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Contemporary Art
- Art Research
- Exhibition Research
- International Art Exchange
Eligibility
The program is open to curators residing outside Japan who have at least five years of professional curatorial experience in contemporary art. Applicants must be fluent in either English or Japanese and able to live and work independently.
There are no age or nationality restrictions. Participants must remain at the accommodation provided by MoriCAF throughout their residency and cannot engage in commercial activities during the program. They are also expected to actively participate in publicity activities.
The residency must last between one and three months, with a maximum of 90 days; applicants seeking a stay of less than one month are not eligible. Three to four residents will be selected for the program.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Furnished one-bedroom accommodation in Tokyo, including breakfast
- Round-trip economy airfare from their nearest airport to either Narita or Haneda
- Up to JPY 200,000 in research project expenses, including eligible domestic transportation, accommodation and related research costs
- Assistance coordinating research activities and projects
- Opportunities to meet Japanese artists, researchers, museums, galleries and other art professionals
- Opportunities to conduct research and develop international professional networks
Insurance is not provided, and visa costs are the participant's responsibility. MoriCAF can provide documents required for a visa application.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 October 2026
- Selection: November 2026
- Individual notification: December 2026
- Public announcement: January 2027
- Residency period: Between April 2027 and March 2028
- Residency duration: 1–3 months, maximum 90 days
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Additional Details
Applicants should formulate a clearly defined research question and explain what they want to investigate in Japan and how the research could develop beyond the residency. The application form asks applicants to describe their current curatorial question in up to 300 words and their proposed research in Japan in up to 500 words.
A distinguished international jury will select the participants, including directors and senior figures from institutions such as Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart, The Museum of Modern Art, Centre Pompidou, M+, National Gallery Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, and Mori Art Museum.