Event Overview

 

1: Concert Overview and Objectives

1.1 Background and Vision

 

As a new chapter of the “Nationwide Open Call Project for Foreign Artists Residing in Japan, ”the inaugural Concert of "Foreign Musicians Living in Japan” will be held on June 27, 2026, at the Kyoto Concert Hall (Ensemble Hall Murata)—a premier professional music venue in the international cultural city of Kyoto.

 

This concert aims to provide a top-tier platform for foreign musicians residing in Japan who possess outstanding musical talent. We firmly believe that music is a universal language that transcends borders and connects hearts. We sincerely invite all eligible foreign musicians living in Japan to join us on the Kyoto stage and create an unforgettable musical evening together.

 

1.2 Theme: “Liminal Spaces of Belonging. Music between Home and Abroad”

This concert continues and deepens the core theme of the related art exhibition series, “Liminal Spaces of Belonging. Art between home and abroad”

The term “liminal” refers to an in-between, transitional “threshold” state.

 

Through music, this theme seeks to explore the lived experiences of foreign musicians residing in Japan. They are not temporary visitors, but individuals who live and create in Japan long-term. Yet their sense of identity often drifts between “home” and “elsewhere,” existing in an in-between space that is neither fully homeland nor entirely foreign.

 

This concert aims to express this subtle, ambiguous, yet creatively fertile liminal state through melody and harmony, allowing audiences to feel how artists construct new forms of spiritual belonging at the intersection of two cultures. Applicants are encouraged to respond to this profound theme through their choice of repertoire or original compositions.

 

1.3 Organizer and Support

Organizer:

Seki Shikyo Art Lab

 

Jury:

Takako Mizuhara (Professor Emeritus, Tokyo College of Music)

 

Professional judges will evaluate outstanding performances during the concert, and the Organizer’s Award will be presented at a joint award ceremony held on June 28 at the Kyoto City Museum of Art.

 

2: Eligibility and Requirements

2.1 Eligibility Criteria

    •    Nationality: Applicants must be non-Japanese nationals.

    •    Residency Status: Applicants must hold a valid medium- to long-term Japanese residence status (e.g., Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Skilled Labor, Student, Artist, Spouse of a Japanese National, etc.). Holders of Short-Term Stay or tourist visas are not eligible.

    •    Age Requirement: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by the application deadline.

    •    Professional Background: There are no restrictions regarding professional or amateur status. All musicians with a high level of performance or vocal ability are welcome.

 

2.2 Music Genres and Performance Formats

    •    Music Genres:

The primary focus is on classical music, including instrumental (solo/ensemble), vocal (solo/duet), and traditional folk music from around the world. To ensure artistic coherence and suitability for the concert hall, popular music (pop songs) will not be accepted.

    •    Performance Formats:

Applications may be submitted as:

    •    Solo (instrumental or vocal)

    •    Duo

    •    Small ensemble (up to 5 members)

All members must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in Section 2.1.

 

2.3 Repertoire and Performance Duration

    •    Performance Length: Approximately 10–15 minutes per selected act.

    •    Repertoire Requirements:

To align with the concert theme, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit works that reflect reflections “between home and abroad.” This may include:

    •    A traditional piece representing your cultural roots

    •    An arrangement blending different cultural elements

    •    An original composition expressing your experience of living in Japan

    •    Instruments and Equipment:

A concert grand piano will be provided at the venue. Performers using other instruments must bring their own. If accompaniment audio (CD, etc.) is required, performers must prepare it themselves.

 

3: Application Process and Required Materials​

3.1 Application Method

Applications will be accepted by email only.

    1.    Prepare Files: Compile all required materials (see Section 3.3) into a single folder.

    2.    Upload Files: Upload the folder to a large-file transfer service such as GIGAFile便 (gigafile.nu) and generate a download link.

    3.    Send Email: Paste the download link into the body of an email and send it to:

info@no-art.jp

 

Email Subject Format:

【日本在住外国人音楽家コンサート】Application – Name (Artist Name)

 

⚠ Important:

For security reasons, emails with attachments will not be accepted and will be considered invalid applications.

 

3.2 Application Period

    •    Start: January 15, 2026 (Thursday), 9:00 AM (JST)

    •    Deadline: April 15, 2026 (Wednesday), 11:59 PM (JST)

 

3.3 Required Submission Materials

All materials must be submitted via GIGAFile便. Missing or improperly formatted materials may result in disqualification.

 

Table 1: Required Application Materials

    1.    Application Form

    •    PDF or Word format

    •    Download the official form from: https://www.no-art.jp/

    2.    Performance Videos

    •    MP4, MOV, or other common video formats

    •    Up to 3 works per applicant

    •    Videos should be recently recorded and reflect the applicant’s current best level

    3.    Residence Card

    •    PDF or JPEG format

    •    Clear images of both front and back

    •    Please black out your residence card number and address for privacy

    4.    Artist / Group Photo

    •    High-resolution JPEG

    •    Used for online voting and promotional materials

    5.    CV / Artistic Resume

    •    PDF format, up to 2 pages

    •    Should include biography, education, and performance history

 

 4: Selection Process and Evaluation

4.1 Selection Process and Number of Performers

To balance artistic excellence and public participation, approximately 10 acts will be selected through a combination of:

 

Jury Selection (7 acts)

 

After the application deadline, a jury of invited music professionals will review all valid submissions and select 7 performers based solely on:

    •    Artistic expression

    •    Technical proficiency

    •    Relevance to the theme

 

Online Popularity Selection (3 acts)

 

After jury selection, non-selected submissions will automatically enter an online public voting phase. The top 3 performers based on the composite popularity score will be selected.

 

Adjustment Rule

If any of the top 3 online-selected performers overlap with jury-selected performers, the slot will be passed to the next-ranked performer to ensure 10 unique acts.

 

4.2 Online Voting and Anti-Fraud Measures

To ensure fairness, strict anti-fraud mechanisms will be implemented.

 

Composite Popularity Score

 

Rankings will be determined by multiple factors, including:

    •    Total watch time

    •    Number of unique viewers

    •    Average viewing duration

    •    Engagement quality (likes, comments)

 

Traffic generated through paid advertising or artificial means will not be counted.

​

Anti-Fraud Policies:

    •    Handling of Abnormal Traffic:

The organizer will monitor data such as traffic sources, viewing duration, and geographic distribution for all submitted works. If abnormal patterns are detected—such as a sudden surge in views accompanied by extremely low average viewing time (e.g., under 10 seconds), or unusually concentrated traffic from specific regions—the organizer reserves the right to investigate and exclude such abnormal data.

    •    Penalties:

If malicious vote manipulation is confirmed, the organizer may take measures depending on the severity of the violation, including but not limited to exclusion of abnormal data, issuing warnings, or disqualification from selection.

    •    Final Authority:

All decisions related to data analysis and anti-fraud measures are subject to the final interpretation of Seki Shikyo Art Lab.

 

4.3. On-Site Award Evaluation

On the day of the concert, the jury’s role extends beyond selecting performers. The jury will conduct an on-site professional evaluation of the artistic performances of the 10 selected acts, and will ultimately determine honorary awards, including the Kyoto Mayor’s Award. The results will be announced at the joint award ceremony held the following day.

 

5: Terms and Conditions

5.1. Application Fees

In order to align with the participation conditions of the “Exhibition for Foreign Artists Residing in Japan” and to support the continued operation of this non-profit cultural project, the following fee structure applies:

    •    Applicants holding a Japanese “Artist” residence status: Free of charge

(A copy of a valid “Artist” residence card, valid on June 27, 2026, must be submitted at the time of application.)

    •    Applicants without an “Artist” residence status: **10,000 JPY ​(tax included)

(This fee covers platform access and promotional management costs and is non-refundable once paid.)

 

5.2. Rights and Responsibilities

    •    Video Usage Authorization:

By submitting a work, applicants are deemed to have granted the organizer (Seki Shikyo Art Lab) permission to publicly release their performance videos on officially designated channels.

    •    Revenue Allocation:

Any revenue generated through the official channels will be used exclusively to cover the operational costs of this and future concerts. No profit sharing will be provided to contributors.

    •    Video Retention:

To support the long-term promotion of foreign artists residing in Japan, all submitted videos will remain publicly available after the concert and will be permanently archived.

    •    On-Site Recording:

The organizer reserves the right to audio-record, video-record, and photograph the concert, and to use these materials for non-commercial reports and promotional purposes.

    •    Intellectual Property:

Performers must ensure that their performance does not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property rights. Any disputes arising from copyright issues shall be the sole responsibility of the performer.

 

6: Important Schedule

Key Schedule Overview

    •    Application Opens: January 15, 2026 (Thursday)

    •    Application Deadline: April 15, 2026 (Wednesday)

    •    Jury Selection Results Announcement: Mid-April 2026

    •    Official Channel Video Upload & Online Voting Begins: Late February 2026

    •    Online Popularity Voting Ends: May 27, 2026 (Wednesday)

    •    Final Selection Announcement: June 1, 2026 (Monday)

    •    Concert Performance: June 27, 2026 (Saturday)

    •    Award Ceremony (Kyoto City Museum of Art): June 28, 2026 (Sunday)

 

7: Contact Information

If you have any questions after reviewing these application guidelines, please feel free to contact us:

 

Organizer: Seki Shikyo Art Lab

​Email: info@no-art.jp

 

We look forward to your enthusiastic submissions and to creating a magnificent musical chapter on “Liminal Spaces of Belonging” together in Kyoto.

 

Seki Shikyo Art Lab

​

​

​