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Art Open Calls in Japan

Grants, residencies and exhibitions open to artists in Japan — 42 active calls with verified deadlines, application fees and funding details. Updated daily.

42 active · refreshed daily

42 active opportunities linked to Japan — from local foundations to international programs accepting artists based in or targeting this region. Resolved from location fields, organizers, and verified metadata. Sign in free for the full filters, deadline reminders and calendar export.

GrantPartial Funding

Tobe Maki Foundation Art Activity Grant 2027 — ¥200,000–¥1,000,000 for Exhibitions in Japan by Artists Aged 40 or Under, Deadline 1 December 2026

Tobe Maki Foundation

A foundation grant that funds the costs of exhibitions and performances put on by young artists in Japan.

1 Dec 2026¥200,000–¥1,000,000 per projectExhibition or performance held in Japan, April 2027 – March 2028

ResidencyFully Funded

Seto Art Residency 2027 at Salt Road Studio, Akō — Fully Funded

Salt Road Studio

The first edition of a small residency on Japan's Seto Inland Sea: three artists live and work together for three weeks in the historic coastal city of Akō, two hours from Osaka by train, with airfare, housing, studio and a living grant covered and translation support throughout.

30 Apr 2027Airfare, lodging, studio + $1,000

Akō, Hyōgo, Japan

CompetitionFully Funded

Bilbo Picture Book Award (9th) — ¥1,000,000 and Book Publication, Free Entry, Postmark Deadline 31 January 2027 (Japan)

Bilbo Co., Ltd.

A picture-book contest run by a Kochi publisher; the Grand Prize is published.

31 Jan 2027¥1,000,000 + publication (Grand Prize)

Entry by post to Kochi, Japan; open to professionals and amateurs

GrantFully Funded

Pola Art Foundation Grants for Overseas Study by Young Artists 2027 — up to ¥3.6 Million for 6–12 Months Abroad

Pola Art Foundation

Since 1996 the Pola Art Foundation has funded young Japanese artists to train abroad under a mentor or institution for six months to a year. It is one of Japan's main overseas-study grants for visual artists, craftspeople and conservators under 40.

12 Nov 2026Up to ¥3,600,000 for 12 months (¥7.2M conservation)

Japan

Competition

IFDA 2027 International Furniture Design Competition Asahikawa "Origin" — Gold Leaf JPY 3,000,000

IFDA International Furniture Design Competition Asahikawa

Triennial international furniture design competition held in Asahikawa since 1990.

11 Dec 2026JPY 3,000,000 / 500,000 / 300,000 + 4 × 100,000

Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan

ExhibitionFully Funded

Anshin Foundation 1st Open Call Exhibition — ¥500,000 or ¥1,000,000 Rental Fee and a Year-Long Office Display, Free Entry, Deadline 30 November 2026 (Tokyo, Japan)

Anshin Foundation

A foundation's first open-call exhibition: selected works are rented and shown in its office for a year.

30 Nov 2026¥500,000 (flat work) / ¥1,000,000 (sculpture) rental fee

Anshin Foundation headquarters office, Japan

ExhibitionSelf-funded

Osaka Artist Showcase – April 2027

Arrival Gallery

Group exhibition at 2 Chome-10-16 Higashitenma, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0044, Japan, 2 to 5 April 2027. Artists choose a Digital Showcase (from £65, 40 places in the current batch), a Physical Showcase (from £165, 40 places) or a Featured Artist place (5 places, price not stated). Submissions are reviewed and not every artist is accepted; selected artists receive the full format, fee, timeline an...

18 Mar 2027No direct funding

Osaka, Japan

FAQ

How is country matching done?

We combine the venue, the organiser’s country, city references and who the call is open to — not just keywords in titles.

Do I need to speak the local language of Japan?

Most international programmes work in English, and each listing states when the local language is required.

Do grants in Japan cover visa and travel costs?

This varies. Fully funded opportunities and residencies often cover travel expenses or provide travel grants, while others only fund local accommodation.

Can artists from any country apply to programs in Japan?

Most listed opportunities are open internationally. Any citizenship or residency restrictions are structured and highlighted on the program card.

Which art organizations in Japan are most active?

Art academies, museums, galleries, foundations and non-profit spaces. In the organisers section you can browse them by type, each with every call it has run and the months it usually opens.