US/Japan Creative Artists Residency

Deadline: February 1, 2010 (RECEIVE)

JUSFC/NEA
US/Japan Creative Artists Residency
2011 program


Each year leading contemporary and traditional artists from the United States spend five months in Japan as part of the United States/Japan Creative Artists Program. They go as seekers, as cultural visionaries, and as living liaisons to the traditional and contemporary cultural life of Japan. The outlook they bring home provides an unparalleled opportunity to promote cultural understanding between the United States and Japan.

Cultural understanding is at the heart of this program. It provides funds for up to five artists to complete the residency in Japan. Artists are free to interact with Japanese artists anywhere in the country and to pursue activities of greatest relevance to their creative process. While many artists chose to remain in Tokyo, others have undertaken their residencies in Kyoto or other cities, and still others have worked in rural settings or have visited a number of sites relevant to their work.

While artists will be predominantly on their own upon their arrival in Tokyo, International House of Japan provides in-depth orientation materials, expert advice and professional contacts, as well as logistical support during the residency period.

The Japan-US Friendship Commission works cooperatively with the National Endowment for the Arts to sponsor this program.

Grant Award

Each artist will receive:

•A monthly stipend of 400,000 yen for living expenses, 100,000 yen a month as a housing supplement, and up to 100,000 yen a month for professional support services.

•A total of up to $6,000 for round-trip transportation for the artist, domestic partner and / or unmarried children (up to age 18) and a baggage/storage allowance, and any pre-departure Japanese language study in the United States.

Review Criteria and Selection Process

The US/Japan Creative Artists Program is extremely competitive; only five artists are selected to go to Japan. Applicants should anticipate a highly rigorous review of their artistry and should have compelling reasons for wanting to work in Japan. Their work must exemplify the best in US arts. Proficiency in the Japanese language is not required.

Preference will be given to those applicants for whom this will be a first-time opportunity for in-depth creative work in Japan. Applicants must be able to begin their five-month residency within the period between January 1 and December 31 of the year following the application deadline.

Eligibility

Candidates must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Candidates must be professional creative artists (contemporary or traditional) working as: architects, choreographers, composers, creative writers, designers, media artists, playwrights, librettists, visual artists and solo theater artists who work with original material (including puppeteers, storytellers, and performance artists). Artists who create original work in a multidisciplinary form are also eligible.

Application Deadlines and How to Apply

Deadline: February 1, 2010 for the 2011 program. Residencies may begin any time between January 1 and December 31 of 2011.

Notification: By June 30, 2010

Visit website for full program details: www.jusfc.gov/programguidelines

Japan-US Friendship Commission
1201 15th St. NW, Suite 330
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202) 653-9800
Fax: (202) 653-9802
jusfc@jusfc.gov