Ongoing AIR Residency Program

About the Open Call

Ongoing AIR is a residency program launched by Art Center Ongoing in April, 2013, welcoming domestic and overseas artists and curators for a 2-month residency. The program offers an accommodation and an exhibition opportunity at Art Center Ongoing. Its main attractions include a large artists network and a prime location in Kichijoji, Tokyo, a cultural hub with easy access to central Tokyo. The Art Center established 'Ongoing AIR AWARD' allowing winners free accommodation, requiring at least two recommendation letters for application. For other Ongoing AIR applicants, accommodation costs 200,000 JPY for 2 months. All artists must cover travel, living, and production expenses, as Art Center Ongoing does not provide grants or scholarships. The program provides a private room in a shared house with English-speaking staff, shared bathroom, toilet, and kitchen facilities, and a lent bicycle. It also includes welcome parties, weekly meetings, and presentation events for networking. There is no studio for artists’ production. Participants must obtain insurance for injury, illness, or accidents in Japan before departure.

What is Offered

Exhibition at Art Center Ongoing (FREE), Accommodation for 2-month stay (FREE for Ongoing AIR AWARD winners), bicycle during artist staying, welcome party, weekly meetings and presentation events of artists’ activities etc. at Ongoing cafe to support their networking in Tokyo, English-speaking staff members will assist them.

Requirements

It is required to stay at least 2/3 days in a period. The capacity is only one person; duo is not accepted. Insurance for injury, illness or accidents like burglary and robbery in Japan is an indispensable condition to participate in our program. Overseas artists must get insurance before their departure. You will have a private room, but you will share the house with two English-speaking staff members; bathroom, toilet, and kitchen are shared. There is no studio for artists’ production. For Ongoing AIR AWARD: at least two recommendation letters are required.

How to Apply

To apply for Ongoing AIR, applicants must submit: 1. Application Form (Word or PDF), 2. CV/Artist Profile, 3. Portfolio, 4. Relevant images, audios, videos, magazines, website links. All four documents must be attached to an email. To apply for Ongoing AIR AWARD, applicants must submit the same four items plus 5. At least two Recommendation Letters. All five documents must be attached to an email. Only emails with the Application Form will be accepted. Applications are sent via email.