Non-profit Project

[Exhibition Background] 

The first exhibition (held in 2025 at the Citizens’ Gallery of the Meguro Museum of Art, Tokyo) received wide public attention, bringing together numerous artists and presenting a diverse range of works.

 

The second exhibition will be held at the Kyoto City Museum of Art (Annex Building). Set in Kyoto, an international cultural city, the exhibition aims to broadly showcase the creative practices of foreign artists residing in Japan, while promoting cultural exchange and the circulation of creative ideas. As a platform for encounter and presentation among artists from diverse backgrounds, we warmly invite you to participate.

 

[Exhibition Theme]

“Liminal” refers to a state of transition or in-betweeness.

This theme explores foreign artists who have lived in Japan for extended periods—those who inhabit a space that is neither their homeland nor entirely foreign, and who construct a new sense of “home” through artistic practice. They are not short-term visitors, but individuals who live and create in Japan long-term. Even so, their identities often remain in a state of ambiguity. This exhibition seeks to visualize that liminal condition through artistic works.

 

[Awards]

Organizer-Issued Certificates

    •    Grand Prize: 1 recipient

    •    Excellence Award: 2 recipients

 

Kyoto City–Issued Certificates

    •    Kyoto Mayor’s Award: 5 recipients

 

[Schedule]

    •    Application Period: January 15, 2025 – April 15, 2026

    •    Results Announcement: May 1, 2026

    •    Installation: June 22, 2026 (14:00–18:00)

    •    Exhibition Period: June 23 – June 28, 2026 (10:00–18:00)

    •    De-installation: June 29, 2026 (10:00–13:00)

​

[Exhibition Space]

Area A

    •    Approx. 3 m × 3 m per artist

    •    Capacity: approx. 22–23 artists

    •    Approx. 3 cubic meters of display space per artist

    •    Wall display only (single wall)

 

Area B

    •    Up to 3 works per artist

    •    Work size: No. 0 to No. 50

    •    Submission from 1 work

 

[Participation Fees]

Area A

    •    Artists without Artist residence status: JPY 10,000 (tax included)

    •    Artists with Artist residence status: Free

 

Area B

    •    Artists with Artist residence status:

        1 work free; from the 2nd work onward: JPY 3,000 per work

    •    Artists without Artist residence status:

        JPY 3,000 per work (tax included)

​

[Additional Fees] (if artist cannot attend installation/de-installation in person)

    •    Area A:

         Installation: JPY 5,000 / De-installation: JPY 5,000

    •    Area B:

          Installation: JPY 3,000 / De-installation: JPY 3,000

 

[Eligibility] (Applicable to both Area A and B

    •    Foreign nationals residing in Japan (any nationality)

    •    No restrictions on age or artistic medium

(painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, video, installation, etc.)

 

Applicants must meet at least one of the following conditions:

    1.    Hold a valid Artist residence status, with a period of stay covering any time up to 2026; or

    2.    Applicants without Artist residence status must submit one letter of recommendation from:

    •    An artist holding Artist residence status (each may recommend up to 2 people)

    •    A Japanese artist or art university instructor (up to 2 people)

    •    Art organizations, galleries, art education institutions, or legal entities (up to 3 people per organization)

 

※ Recommendations from non-art-related organizations require prior consultation.

※ Recommendation letter templates can be downloaded from the official website.

 

Participation fees include venue rental, basic publicity, and exhibition management.

Transportation, shipping, insurance, and related costs must be covered by the artist.

 

[How to Apply]

Please submit the following materials in English or Japanese

(other languages require prior consultation):

 

(A) Artist Information

    •    Name (legal name + artist name)

    •    Nationality

    •    Date of birth

    •    Contact information (email / phone)

    •    CV

 

Attach one of the following:

    •    Copy of Artist residence card valid through 2025–2026

    •    Letter of recommendation (see above)

 

(B) Artwork Information

    •    Title

    •    Year of creation

    •    Technique / materials

    •    Dimensions

    •    Weight

    •    Description (within 300 Japanese characters)

    •    1–2 reference images per work (JPEG or PDF)

 

(C) Display Plan (Optional)

    •    Special installation requirements, lighting or sound needs

※ Display space may expand depending on the final number of participants

※ Additional space: JPY 10,000 per additional unit

 

(D) Preferred Communication Language

    •    Japanese or English; other languages by prior consultation

​

[Submission Method]

Send all materials by email to:

📧 info@no-art.jp

 

Email subject line:

「[2nd Exhibition of Foreign Artists Residing in Japan] Application – Name (Artist Name)」

 

If files are large, please submit via an online file-sharing link.

 

[Photography & Copyright]

The organizer or media may photograph works for documentation and promotional purposes, including exhibition publicity, media coverage, and social media. Submission implies consent.

 

Copyright remains with the artist. Artists are asked to cooperate with image use for exhibition catalogues and related promotional materials.

 

[Artwork Management & Insurance]

    •    The organizer does not provide insurance. Artists should arrange their own if necessary.

    •    Staff will supervise works during the exhibition; however, the organizer assumes no responsibility for losses or damage caused by force majeure (accidents, disasters, theft, etc.).

 

[Notes & Disclaimer]

    •    The organizer assumes no responsibility for damage or loss during exhibition or installation/de-installation. Insurance is the artist’s responsibility.

    •    Works deemed unsafe or unsuitable for the venue may be rejected.

    •    Personal information will be used solely for exhibition management.

    •    Details are subject to change; updates will be announced by the organizer.

 

[Eligible Works]

Original works including painting, sculpture, photography, video art, installation, and related media.

 

[Prohibited Items]

    •    Display methods that severely damage walls (e.g., nail guns)

    •    Works producing excessive noise, strong odors, or smoke

    •    Perishable or environmentally harmful materials

    •    Dangerous items (e.g., knives, open flames)

    •    Materials such as sand or soil placed directly on the floor

    •    Hanging from the ceiling or displaying live animals

 

[Artwork Sales & Copyright]

On-site sales or pre-orders are not permitted during the exhibition.

 

Exceptions (with prior approval):

    •    Sales or fundraising for charitable purposes

    •    Sales of exhibition catalogues, books, or posters

 

All exceptions require advance consultation with the organizer.

 

[Venue]

Kyoto City Museum of Art (Annex Building), 1st Floor

Address: 13 Okazaki Saishoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8342

(Adjacent to ROHM Theatre Kyoto)

 

[Organizer]

Seki Shikyo Art Lab 

 

[Submissions & Inquiries]

Address:

Room D, 2F, Horikawa Shin-Bunka Building

287 Saikachi-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8242

 

Tel: 075-600-0444

Fax: 075-600-0440

Email: info@no-art.jp​​​​