Open Call for the Curator Residency Program 2027
- CIR
- AIR
- Inviting
Curator Residency Program 2027
For international curators
"Curator Residency Program" aims to invite distinguished and highly motivated curators in the fields of curation, art criticism, and cultural research from all over the world and offer them with opportunities to conduct research in Tokyo. We provide support to allow curators to develop and present their research and ideas. Selected curators are required to give mentoring sessions to local emerging creators, and deliver a public talk.
Overview
Residency Period: 1 to 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 Creator: 6 curators (2 curators per period)
Disciplines: Curation, art criticism, and cultural research
What TOKAS Residency offers: Airfare, fee for research/project, and living space (single room)
Studio/workspace: None
*This program provides opportunities for international curators to conduct research in Tokyo.
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_Curator2027" below.
Application Package_Curator2027
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 portfolio.
Online Submission Form_Curator2027
*You may apply for "International Creator 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.
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 Curator 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 3 years or more of experience in your specialized area of expertise, you are eligible.
Q4. Can I apply for Curator Residency Program as a duo?
A. Applying as a duo is not possible as stated in the Application Outline (4. Eligibility.)
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.
Residence Facilities
Q11. 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
Q12. 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.
Q13. Is it possible to travel around Japan for my artwork and research, or am I restricted to remain in Tokyo?
A. Curators 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.
Q14. 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.
Q15. Can I bring my family/ partner with me?
A. No. We offer accommodation only for the participating curators.
Inquiries
For inquiries not listed in the FAQ page on our website, please contact us through the following inquiry form by June 7, 2026.
We will update the FAQ on our website after June 11, 2026.
Inquiry form | https://form.run/@2027SpringContact
Please note that we cannot answer each inquiry individually.
Our Facilities
