The Artist in Aso Application Period is Now Closed!
Due not later than : July, 23, 2019
Aso is located in Kumamoto Prefecture, in the center of Kyushu, Japan. It is about 2 hours’ flight from Tokyo. 50,000 people live within one of the world's largest calderas, where there are 5 Aso mountains, including the active volcano called “Nakadake”. Ancient cultural records of Aso Shrine date back to 282 B.C.
This premier tourist area has cultural significance and unique animals and plants which draw over 1.7 million visitors annually.In 2013,
Aso was evaluated for the unique farming mode of its largest grasslands in Japan and the scenic beauty of the grasslands and farming areas and FAO (Food and Agricultural of the United Nations) designated Aso as GIAHS, (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage). Also, Aso was designated as a Global Geopark in 2014.
Therefore, it has become important to promote positive perceptions of the beauty of Aso to the wider world.
The purpose of this program is to offer a creative environment for overseas artists in Aso district. Artists will create artworks featuring Aso and are expected to promote appeals and information of Aso worldwide through their artworks.
Also, it is expected that local people/communities will feel many benefits from connecting with new inspirations and perceptions inspired by your artistic creations.
“Artists in Aso” Executive Committee (hereafter, referred to as Executive Committee)
Affiliated organization: Kumamoto Prefecture, Aso-City,
Minamioguni-machi, Oguni-machi, Ubuyama-mura, Takamori-machi.,Minamiaso-mura.
September 24(Tuesday)-November 7 (Thursday), 2019 (45days)
*Artists must arrive at their residences by September 24(Tuesday) and must stay until November, 7 (Thursday)
* Residences and expenses will be provided only for this period.
It is possible to stay before or after this period, however, all expenses will be self-paying. Also, assistants for artists will be supporting only through this period.
4 people
Detailed Breakdown
One person each..
Aso-City, Minamioguni-machi, Ubuyama-mura, Minamiaso-mura
Artists are required to stay in Aso region for 45 days to create and artworks. Also, through their exhibition or artistic activities, artists are expected to actively promote attractiveness or information of Aso to the world not only for the residential period but also after they go back to their countries.
The theme will be ‘Aso grassland landscape’ or ‘coexistence with volcanoes’. The content of artwork will be working and living scenes of people in Aso City.
Field of art:
Photographs, images or paintings.
Theme of artworks:
The theme will be ‘Aso grassland landscape’ or ‘coexistence with volcanoes’.
Field of art:
Photographs or images.
Theme of artworks:
The theme will be the Grand Landscape of Ubuyama-mura or the Bountiful Nature of Ubuyama-mura focusing on the grasslands, pastures, and landscapes overlooking Mt. Aso(Ogi Tanada, Higotai Camping Park, Farm Village Ubuyama)
Field of art:
Visual art (photographs or video).
Theme of artworks:
The Grasslands of Aso or Living Together with the Volcano
Field of art:
Pottery.
During your residence, please post at least once a week to social media and promote your activities both within and outside Japan.
Within the year following the residency, artists are requested to do promotional activity outside of Japan as follows.
Please inform to Executive Committee with document attached after you have done PR activities as listed above by March 19, 2020
Please write where you prefer to stay on the application by carefully reading inherent conditions of those 4 places listed below 9 and residences and ateliers listed below conditions of 10.
Artists will stay in one place in preferred locations.
In principle, artists will not be located in unwished place.
*Please note that the conditions of the residences may vary according to each district.
Applicants need to fulfil the following:
General Conditions
University /college students will need approval from their universities/colleges.
Costs for a round-trip from the artist’s nearest airport to Aso-Kumamoto
Airport. Basically, please arrive at and leave from Aso-Kumamoto airport. (in principle the international or domestic flights will be economy class).
Any transportation taken from Aso- Kumamoto Airport to the artist’s residence is included in the transportation cost support provided by the organizers,
Total transportation support is up to a maximum of JPY 180,000 per artist.
*A copy of airplane tickets and receipts will be necessary for repayment.
*About visa
If visa is necessary for immigration, the applicant will need to prepare this by him or herself. Please confirm with the overseas agencies of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country.
*It takes about 2 weeks to reimburse the cost for transportation after arrival.
Municipal designated residences and ateliers are freely provided for creation of artworks (utility costs are covered by the program).
*Please refer below to select where you wish to stay.
Number |
Place to stay |
Residence’s information |
Atelier’s information |
1 |
Type: Independent housing Size: 3 LDK ( 6 tatamis ・4.5 tatamis ・4.5 tatamis, LDK 10 tatamis) Equipment: kitchen, toilet, refrigerator, washing machine TV, microwave, internet connection (wi-fi), shower (no bathtub) |
Type: the same as left. |
|
2 |
Type: Independent housing Size: 8 tatamis×2rooms (about 26㎡) Equipment: TV, toilet, internet connection washing machine, kitchen equipment, refrigerator |
Type: A cabin within the grounds of a residence. Size: 8 tatamis (about 13㎡) Equipment: internet connection |
|
3 |
Type: Local lodge Size: an independent housing (double-story) Equipment: TV, bath, toilet, washing machine, kitchenette, etc. internet connection |
Type: the same as left. |
|
4 |
Type: One room in independent housing Size: 8 tatamis’ room : about 13㎡ Equipment: Shared public space (kitchen, bathroom, etc.), internet available |
Type: the same as left. |
Each artist receives JPY 2,800 per day, to help cover the artist’s personal costs and food expenses. This is calculated according to the number of days the artist is actually in residence. Some, but not all residences will be provided with meals, however the artists have to pay an adequate amount to the providers. Artists are not required to report their accounts.
Artists will be paid in cash at the end of the month. However, it will not be paid just after their arrival, so please bring some amount for living (approximately JPY 28,000.),
Costs necessary for creation of artworks such as materials, equipment or facility will be supplied.
However, PC, Cameras, tools which cost more than JPY 20,000 will not be applicable. Total activities support is up to a maximum of JPY 230,000 per artist. Any cost above this will be covered by the artist.
Artists need to make their cost estimate in advance. Estimated material costs will be paid at the start of the program. After the residency, the difference will be adjusted by receipts of actual costs.
※Please bring your own PC, cameras, or other electronic appliances.
Please do not expect financial compensation for activities/materials other than those designated above by the committee.
※ Cost for art activities can only be used during the period of residency program. Please note that it cannot be used after the program.
The organizers will join an accident insurance and health care plan that covers the participants. Should an artist fall sick or be injured, hospital visits are covered by the organizers.
If however, insurance payment is received, it will be paid to the organizers. *Health care for pre-existing disorders, chronic illness and dental care and others are not included in this plan.
*To join the insurance plan, successful applicants need to send a PDF file of a copy of passport and airplane tickets in advance.
If you choose to enter a danger zone, it is at your own risk and any injuries will not be covered by insurance.
June 24-July 23, 2019
Only by e-mail.
* e-mail size, within 4MB including attached images.
Mail to :
Kumamoto Prefectural Government, Culture plan, world heritage promotion section, Artist In Aso Executive Committee.
18-1, 6-Chome, Suizenji, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
URL:http://asoart.com/
Mail to :
Selection will be made through the review of submitted documents by the selection committee.
The result of the selection will be notified by e-mail at the beginning of August.2019 on the “Artists in Aso” Executive Committee homepage.
Please note that we will not answer questions about selection or results until publication.
* This program does not include curators and artists are required to complete artworks by themselves.
* The staff who will assist artists in their staying areas are not art professionals. The staff will mainly support artists’ daily life but cannot be expected to help in the creation of artworks.
*There may be occasions when atelier and materials for artworks may not be enough for creating professional artworks.
* Artists should take care not to intentionally damage facilities, such as, their designated residence and atelier.
* In Aso region, there may be some no entry areas or unpassable roads due to the damage caused by the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016 so please follow the organizers' instructions during the period.
* Even if you have an international driver's license, you cannot use a rental car during your stay.
Residence for Aso World Cultural Heritage Final Exhibition will be held.
What did Aso give them and what did they receive?
Please feel that charm in a new perspective.
〒 862 - 8570
Kumamoto City Chuo-ku, Suizenji 6 - chome 18 No. 1
Kumamoto Prefecture Cultural Planning World Heritage Promotion Division
Artists in Aso Executive Committee