Artist Support Program

The National Center for Art Research, Japan (abbreviation: NCAR; director: Kataoka Mami) implements its Artist Support Program with the goal of enhancing the international reputation of the Japanese contemporary art.

International art exhibitions, such as biennales and triennales held around the world, function as significant opportunities for artists to present their artworks and raise the international reputation of Japanese contemporary art.

This program, starting from fiscal year 2024, provides support funds for the organizers of international art exhibition held outside Japan with the requirement that Japanese artists must participate in the exhibitions.

In the FY2024 Term I application, it has been decided to support Japanese artists through four international art exhibitions including Les Rencontres de La Photographie Arles and Busan Biennale. In the FY2024 Term II, the support will be provided to artists, participating in two international art exhibitions: Hawai‘i Triennial and Asia Triennial Manchester.

NCAR strategically promotes the international activities of Japanese artists and provides support for their participation in international art exhibitions, including the “Artist Support Program” and inviting directors of international art exhibitions to conduct research on Japanese artists, as well as the production and dissemination of interview videos featuring Japanese artists who participate in international art exhibitions.

Application guidelines overview
Title: Fiscal Year 2025 Term I “Artist Support Program”

Application window: Friday, December 13, 2024–Friday, January 31, 2025
Application form will be closed at 11:59pm JST.

Program details: This program offers full or partial support funds for organizers of international art exhibitions held outside Japan, with the condition that Japanese artists must participate in their exhibitions. The maximum amount of support per artist is 3.5 million Japanese yen. If multiple Japanese artists participate in the same international art exhibition, the maximum amount of support is capped at 7 million Japanese yen per exhibition.

Requirements (exhibition and exhibition period): Eligible international art exhibitions should be widely recognized worldwide and must include the participation of Japanese artists. The exhibition period must begin after June 1, 2025 and end by May 31, 2026. The term “Japanese artists” includes naturalized and deceased Japanese artists, irrespective of their nationalities or work locations. 

Eligibility: Organizers of international art exhibitions that are to be held outside Japan, in which Japanese artists participate, and that are to have an independent secretariat system and accounting organization. The organizations must agree to adhere to the program guidelines.

Notification of decision: Decisions will be notified by Monday, March 31, 2025. 

*The application details can be retrieved here.