Organizer Information
The program is organized by Tokyo Arts and Space (TOKAS), a contemporary art institution based in Tokyo, Japan, operating under the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture. TOKAS is dedicated to supporting international artistic exchange, research-based creation, and experimental practices across visual arts, design, and architecture.
Through its residency infrastructure, TOKAS provides artists with time, space, and institutional support to develop new work in an international context. Its residency programs are widely recognized for fostering cross-cultural dialogue and enabling creators to engage deeply with Tokyo’s urban, social, and artistic environment. A key component of TOKAS programming is the public presentation of works-in-progress, especially through OPEN STUDIO events, which connect resident artists with local audiences, curators, and peers.
Title & Description
International Creator Residency Program 2027 (TOKAS Residency, Tokyo)
The International Creator Residency Program 2027 is a fully funded three-month residency designed for internationally active creators working in visual arts, design, and architecture. The program invites selected artists to live and work in Tokyo, where they will develop new projects, conduct research, and engage in creative exchange with other residents.
The residency is structured around three separate sessions in 2027–2028, each hosting two creators (six total participants). Artists are provided with individual accommodation, shared studio space, financial support, and a stipend, enabling them to focus entirely on production and research.
A core feature of the program is participation in TOKAS OPEN STUDIO, a public presentation where residents share ongoing work and processes with audiences. The program emphasizes experimentation, independent practice, and intercultural collaboration within a shared creative environment in Tokyo.
Categories
- Visual Arts (drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, photography)
- Media Art / Digital Art
- Performance Art
- Sound Art
- Video Art
- Design
- Architecture
- Interdisciplinary / Hybrid Practices within the above fields
Eligibility
- Must reside outside Japan at the time of application and residency
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in visual arts, design, or architecture
- Strong English communication skills (for collaboration and daily interaction)
- Ability to work and live independently in a residential setting
- Open to individual creators and duos (at least one member of the duo must reside outside Japan)
- Ph.D. candidates are eligible; other students are not eligible
Program Benefits & Awards
- Private living space (single room) in TOKAS Residency
- Shared studio facilities
- Round-trip economy airfare to/from Tokyo (Narita or Haneda)
- Daily living stipend: JPY 4,200 (excluding tax)
- Production/project fee: JPY 300,000 (excluding tax)
- Access to shared facilities (library, networking room, studios, Wi-Fi, equipment)
- Opportunity to present work at TOKAS OPEN STUDIO
- Institutional support and visibility within Tokyo’s contemporary art scene
Note: Income tax (20.42%) is deducted from stipend and fee amounts.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed Application Form (PDF, English)
- Two Letters of Recommendation (PDF, signed, A4 format, from professionals or institutions in arts/culture)
- Portfolio (PDF, max 6 pages, under 10MB) including:
- Up to 3 selected projects
- Images, project documentation, and/or media links (video/sound)
- Clear identification of the applicant’s role in each project
- Name and details of exhibitions, where applicable
- Optional hyperlinks to external media (YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc.)
- Must include the applicant's name on the first page
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 16 June 2026
- First Screening: Mid-June – August 2026
- Second Screening: Late August 2026
- Final Results Announcement: Early October 2026
- Residency Periods:
- May – July 2027
- September – November 2027
- January – March 2028
Location
TOKAS Residency, Tokyo, Japan
Additional Details
- Participants must remain continuously in residence for the full 3-month period
- Work produced must be presented at OPEN STUDIO
- No commercial or profit-making activities are allowed during residency
- No loud noise or vibration-based work permitted in the residence
- Accommodation is strictly for the selected artist(s) only (no guests or family members)
- Selected artists must submit a final report after the residency
- Participation in additional TOKAS events or PR activities may be required
The program prioritizes independent artistic research, cross-cultural exchange, and critical engagement with Tokyo’s creative environment.