Open Call for the International Creator Residency Program 2027
- CIR
- AIR
- Inviting
International Creator Residency Program 2027
For international creators
"International Creator Residency Program" aims to invite distinguished and highly motivated international creators in the fields of visual arts, design, and architecture, and to give them opportunities to work in Tokyo.
The research outcome of their residency will be presented at the OPEN STUDIO.
Overview
Residency Period: 3 months within the following residency periods
① From the beginning of May to the end of July, 2027
② From the beginning of September to the end of November, 2027
③ From the beginning of January to the end of March, 2028
Number of Creators: 6 creators (2 creators per period)
Disciplines: Visual arts, design, and architecture
What TOKAS Residency offers: Airfare, living expenses (per diem), fee for creative work/project, and living space (single room)
Studio/workspace: Shared studio
Outline
Application period
May 19 (Tue), 2026 - June 16 (Tue), 2026, 18:00 (JST | Japan Standard Time, GMT＋9)
How to apply
① Please download Application Package ”Application Package_ICR2027”below.
② Please read carefully through Outline and fill in Application Form (PDF).
③ Please fill in your information on Online Submission Form and upload Application Form (PDF), two letters of recommendation, and a portfolio.
Online Submission Form_ICR2027
*You may apply for "Curator Residency Program" and/or "Research Residency Program" at the same time. (Please check "Eligibility" in each outline). Please submit different Online Submission Forms for each program.
*If you apply as a duo, please see the FAQ below before you apply.
FAQ
Eligibility
Q1. Is there an age limit for application?
A. No, there is not.
Q2. I have participated in TOKAS residency program before. Can I apply for these residency programs again?
A. You can. However, if you have participated in the International Creator Residency Program or Local Creator Residency Program before, you cannot apply for the same program again.
Q3. I will be finishing my master's degree soon. Am I eligible to apply for your residency?
A. If you are not a student at the time of participation in the program, and if you have 5 years or more of experience in your specialized area of expertise, you are eligible.
Q4. Can I apply for this program as a duo?
A. Yes. Please see also the following FAQ related to "Applying as a Duo."
Application Form
Q5. When I create a document in Adobe Reader, the font size is not adjustable and the text at the end is cut off. What should I do?
A. The application form has specific settings for font size and number of characters. If you change the settings by yourself, it may cause problems. Please use Adobe Reader to fill in the form so that it fits within the frame of the form.
Letter of Recommendation
Q6. Is there any format for the letters of recommendation?
A. There is no specific one. Please state the relationship between the applicant and referees, and reasons for recommending the applicant to this program.
Q7. According to the Outline, referees should be specialized in the fields of art and culture. Are freelance curators and artists eligible?
A. Yes. Letters of recommendation which state the relationship between the applicant and referees, and reasons for recommending the applicant to this program are valid.
Q8. Which contact information of referees should I provide ? Contact information of affiliation or his/her personal contact?
A. Please fill with the contact information of your referee's affiliation. If your referee works as a freelance, you could put his/her personal contact.
Q9. In case I apply for several residency programs at the same time, do I have to prepare two different letters of recommendation for each program?
A. You can use the same letters for several programs.
Q10. Can my referees send the letters of recommendation directly to TOKAS?
A. No. We cannot accept recommendation letters sent directly from referees. Please upload them via the Online Submission Form.
Applying as a Duo
Q11. If we apply for these programs as a duo, can we get financial support for each?
A. No. Living expenses and fee for the creative work/project will be offered for one person. Airfare will be provided for both of the duo.
(If either of the duo lives in Japan, TOKAS will provide the cost equivalent to the round-trip travel expenses from the nearest station to his/her home to TOKAS Residency.)
Q12. It will be our first time working as a duo, how can we apply?
A. If you haven’t worked as a duo before, you cannot apply as a duo.
Q13. We have done only one project together as a duo, how can we submit the portfolio?
A. You should upload one single portfolio if you apply as a duo. You should include at least one project of the duo and select two other individual projects within the total of 6 pages.
Q14.I understand two letters of recommendation are required, but in the case of a duo, is it acceptable to submit one letter for each individual, for a total of two letters?
A. We do not accept letters of recommendation written for individuals of a duo. We only accept two letters of recommendation provided for a duo.
Residence Facilities
Q15. What sorts of facilities do you offer to the successful candidates?
A. Please read through section "TOKAS Residency Facilities" in the Outline, or refer to our website "Our Facilities."
Other questions
Q16. Will there be an opportunity to show my work at TOKAS?
A. The Open Studio is the only official opportunity to show your research outcome at TOKAS. There might be a possibility that TOKAS ask you to participate in an exhibition at TOKAS Hongo in the future.
Q17. I applied for multiple periods of the residency periods. Would it be possible to choose the period by myself if I were selected?
A. You are not able to choose a residency period. We will choose and make the decision.
Q18. Is it possible to travel around Japan for my artwork and research, or am I restricted to remain in Tokyo?
A. Artists participating in the program are expected to focus on their new project during the residency period. If you need to stay outside our residency for your project or research, you have to consult in advance.
Q19. Do I have to fund myself for additional accommodation and travel expenses elsewhere in Japan, or is there any help?
A. We will not provide any financial support for additional accommodation and travel expenses elsewhere in Japan.
Q20. Can I bring my family/partner with me?
A. No. We offer accommodation only for the participating creators.
Inquiries
For inquiries not listed in the FAQ page on our website, please contact us through the following inquiry form by June 7 (Sun), 2026.
We will update the FAQ on our website after June 11 (Thu), 2026.
Inquiry form | https://form.run/@2027SpringContact
Please note that we cannot answer each inquiry individually.
Our Facilities
