Call for applications: Grants for socially engaged art projects in Japan

The programme will support socially engaged art projects that will be implemented in Japan. It aims to build and demonstrate models of a better society, enhancing in-depth relationships between art, culture and society as well as cultivating higher cultural developments in the country.

Artists will engage with communities and societies, attracting attention for their approach towards environmental issues, economic discrepancies, immigrant issues, and others.

Five to 10 projects will be selected to be implemented between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023. Applicants can request up to 3 million Japanese yen ($27 000).

Eligibility

Individuals, artists and art organisations of all ages and nationalities can apply.

Applicants must submit projects that:

• Include new suggestions for the community, social life, and social systems in the COVID-19 era (or ‘post-corona, with corona’).
• Apply striking new methods or ways of expression.
• Will be newly implemented in Japan.
• Will become a catalyst towards social change.
• Aim to build and demonstrate models of a better society.
• Involve artists taking initiatives as leaders.
• Are dialogue-based and focus on building continuous partner relationships with communities.
• Include a collaborative production process with participants.

The Kawamura Arts and Cultural Foundation will not provide support for:

• Negotiation, research, introduction, staffing or any other aspects towards the community and the project. 
• Aspects of visas. Visas are required to be prepared on behalf of grantees themselves.

Note: The grant decision may be cancelled or changed in cases where necessary visas were unable to be arranged within the required schedule for the project to occur. 

How to apply

Interested individuals are advised to read the guidelines here before completing the application form here.

A grant selection committee will examine all applications, and the foundation’s chairperson will make the final decision.

The application deadline is 10 October, after which all applicants will be contacted by email with their results in December 2021.