Upcoming Artist-in-Residence Programs in Tokyo and Aomori

Tokyo Wonder Site and Aomori Contemporary Art Centre are both calling for applications for upcoming artist-in-residence programs.

TWS’s International Creator Residency program, a three-month residency from January to March 2011, is open to practitioners, researchers and curators working in a broad range of fields encompassing visual art, architecture, design, video, music and performing arts. Based in Tokyo’s happening Aoyama district, the two creators selected will be expected to “perform new creative activities based on … subjects which are [at the] core of our projects such as ‘Art and Environment,’ ‘Cultural diversity and the activities of New Art Centres’ or ‘Possibilities of collaboration.’” The deadline for applications is May 31, 2010. Download the application package here.

Although perched way up on the northern tip of Japan’s main island of Honshu, Aomori Contemporary Art Centre’s location far from the country’s major metropolitan hubs hasn’t seemed to do it any harm. The Centre itself was designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando and its buildings are described intriguingly on the Centre’s website as being “buried deep inside the surrounding forest.” The Japan Foundation’s Japanese Artist-in-Residency website gives a nice outline of the Centre, its programs and the local area.

ACAC’s 2010 autumn residency is based on the theme of “surprise” or “wonder” (“bikkuri” in Japanese) and the five artists selected will be expected to address the theme in the group exhibition held at the end of the roughly two-month period, which starts September 13 and finishes November 26 this year. Applications must be received by May 28, 2010. The application guidelines and form can be downloaded here.