【Hyogo】L-AIR Himeji ｜Artist-in-Residence Program｜Call for Artists for 2027
Features
Studio spaceAvailable
AccommodationAvailable
Presentation spaces (gallery, hall)Available
Travel supportAvailable
Accommodation subsidy / Accommodation providedAvailable
Production budgetAvailable
Program CoodinatorAvailable
Technical staffAvailable
Art genresVisual arts/ Fine arts , Craft / Applied arts , Others
RegionsKansai
| Program | |
|---|---|
| Application period | Aug. 6, 2026 (Thu.) - May. 31, 2027 (Mon.) |
| Description | L-AIR will host the 2027 Artist-in-Residence Program. ★ What new forms of expression can be created through leather? ★ How can leather be combined with unprecedented materials, techniques, and forms of expression? ★ How can we envision future lifestyles and environmental possibilities through the lens of leather as a material? Guided by these key questions, artists will undertake a creative residency of up to three months in Takagi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, a town known for its leather industry. ・Artists from any field or discipline are welcome. ・Creation of works using leather as the primary material in a community with a strong leather-making tradition. ・Accommodation and production support are provided. ・A final presentation of the completed works will be held in a hall. ・Applications are accepted four times a year. ★All works created using leather materials provided during the residency will be donated to L-AIR for inclusion in its activity archive exhibitions. The year is divided into four seasons, with up to two artists selected for each season. Artists of all disciplines are invited to challenge themselves to explore creative expression using leather. Season 1: Application Deadline September 30, 2026 (Wednesday) Season 2: Application Deadline November 30, 2026 (Monday) Season 3: Application Deadline March 1, 2027 (Monday) Season 4: Application Deadline May 31, 2027 (Monday) ・Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. You may apply for a later season, such as Season 4, before the deadline for Season 1. ・All application deadlines are 11:59 p.m. Japan Standard Time (JST). 【Program Details】 ・What kinds of new forms of expression can be created using leather? ・How can leather be combined with materials, techniques, and forms of expression that have never been combined with it before? ・How can we envision future lifestyles and environments through leather as a point of departure? Based on these key questions, artists will undertake a residency of up to three months in Takagi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, an area known for its leather industry. 【Final Presentation】 ・Artists are required to present the results of their residency during their stay. The dates and venue for the presentation, such as an exhibition or performance, will be determined in consultation with the organizer. ・We value opportunities for interaction between artists and visitors. As many visitors are expected on the Saturday and Sunday immediately following the opening of the presentation, artists are requested to remain in residence during these days as much as possible. ・In principle, artists are responsible for the installation and setup of their own work. Assistance with supplementary tasks may be discussed with the organizer. ・If maintenance is required during the presentation period, artists are responsible for carrying it out. ・The organizer will prepare materials necessary for the presentation, such as captions and display panels, in consultation with the artist. ・Copyright of photographs, videos, and other documentation recorded by the organizer, as well as the right to use such materials for publicity and promotional purposes serving the public interest, shall belong to the organizer. The organizer, as well as parties authorized by the organizer, may use all such materials free of charge. 【Compliance with Instructions Regarding Interviews and Media Coverage】 ・If the organizer provides specific instructions regarding the location, method, or prior permission required for interviews or media coverage, the artist must comply with such instructions. 【Matters Concerning Life During the Residency】 【Living Expenses】 ・No living expenses will be provided during the residency. |
| Residency location | 77 Takagi, Hanada-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo 671-0256 |
| Residency period | Season 1: January 4, 2027 (Mon) - March 28, 2027 (Sun) Season 2: April 1, 2027 (Thu) - June 27, 2027 (Sun) Season 3: July 1, 2027 (Thu) - September 26, 2027 (Sun) Season 4: October 1, 2027 (Fri) - December 19, 2027 (Sun) |
| Qualification | 【Eligibility and Target Applicants】 ・Individual artists, designers, or creators, or artist duos currently engaged in creative practice. All disciplines are welcome. ・There are no restrictions regarding age, nationality, or cultural background. ・No prior knowledge or experience with leather is required. ・Applicants must be able to engage in creative activities through interaction and collaboration with leather craftsmen and local residents. ★During the residency, applicants must be able to explore the appeal of leather and, more broadly, the Takagi area, actively interact with local people and leather producers through fieldwork, and develop their work based on these experiences. ・Applicants must be able to communicate in either Japanese or English. ・Applicants must be willing to make their creative process open and actively share it through social media and other platforms. ・During the residency, applicants are required to participate in opportunities for exchange, including an open studio, final presentation exhibition, gallery talks, lectures, and other related activities. ・During the residency, applicants must respect differences in gender, cultural background, nationality, values, and other individual characteristics, and be able to live cooperatively with other artists and residents. If you require any support in your daily life, please consult with L-AIR in advance. ・Applicants are expected to independently manage their own creative activities and daily life to the greatest extent possible. ★Applicants are required to submit reports on their creative progress, including a general concept and intended direction of their work at one week after the start of the residency, an updated concept and direction at one month, and a final progress report at two months. Applicants are also required to attend meetings with L-AIR staff at each stage. The final outcome does not necessarily have to correspond to the concept developed during the first week. ・All works created using leather materials provided during the residency program must be donated to L-AIR for use in archival exhibitions of the program. This does not apply to works created during private time using leather purchased personally by the artist or to works produced as part of the artist's previous creative practice. ・After completing the residency, applicants must be able to contribute a report for publication on the L-AIR website. 【Invitation Conditions】 ・The support provided by the organizer under the invitation conditions is based on the assumption that the artist will travel to Hyogo alone. As a general rule, accompanying persons are not permitted, and the support provided for each group is limited to the amount applicable to a single artist. ・After an artist has been selected for the residency, a contract containing the above terms and conditions will be concluded between L-AIR and the artist. ・In the event of any discrepancy between the information provided on this page and the contract due to translation differences or other reasons, the Japanese version of the contract shall take precedence. |
| Pay by artists / Support for artists | 【Fees and Support】 ★Leather and other materials necessary for the artist's creative work will be provided. ★Accommodation, an open studio space, and leather materials will be provided free of charge. ・Support will be provided for artistic creation, including field research and skill learning. (Support from L-AIR staff on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays is subject to consultation.) ★Residency Production Support Fee Japanese artists: up to JPY 250,000 per month International artists: up to JPY 150,000 per month. The maximum amount differs because round-trip travel expenses are separately supported for international artists. ・The support fee will be provided based on the number of days spent on residency-related creative activities. Artists may temporarily leave the residency for purposes such as general research related to their own practice, participation in exhibitions, travel, or sightseeing, provided that they notify L-AIR staff in advance. However, days spent away from the residency will not be eligible for the Residency Production Support Fee. 【Travel Expenses】 ・The organizer will cover round-trip transportation expenses for one trip during the residency period. Payment will be made after the artist arrives at the residency. The artist must submit receipts at that time. ・As a general rule, public transportation should be used. Travel expenses will be based on the most reasonable and economical route by train or other public transportation from the nearest station to the artist's place of residence. The same principle applies when traveling by car. 【Accommodation and Studio】 ・Accommodation will be provided at the L-AIR Residency Building of L-A-I-R General Incorporated Association, located at 77 Takagi, Hanada-cho, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. ・The Atelier Building on the same premises as the accommodation will generally be used as the studio. If the artist has specific requests regarding the production location, the location will be determined in consultation with the organizer. ★Artists are responsible for bringing any equipment, tools, or other items they require. ・Artists are responsible for cleaning the areas of the studio and facilities that they use. ・Wi-Fi is available in the facility. However, computers and peripheral devices will not be provided. ・Artists must comply with all other rules and regulations of the facility. |
| Selection process | 【Selection Process】 Based on the submitted application form and supporting materials, the purpose and content of the proposed project, the specificity of the proposed outcomes, the applicant's motivation for participation, and other relevant factors will be comprehensively evaluated by the directors, staff, and curator of the L-A-I-R General Incorporated Association. The selection process consists of the following stages: First Stage: Application and Document Screening Second Stage: Individual online meeting using Google Meet, or an in-person meeting if possible, as well as additional questions and answers by email as necessary Final Decision: Invitation to the Residency 【How to Apply】 Please prepare all of the required documents below and submit them as email attachments. Email Address: [info@l-air.or.jp](mailto:info@l-air.or.jp) Subject: L-AIR Artist Apply 【Email Content】 1. Project Title and Name 2. Project Overview and Proposed Theme 3. Preferred Season 4. Brief Biography Nationality or current country or prefecture of residence and artistic activity, for travel expense calculation Previous achievements and artistic activities, including a portfolio or similar materials 5. Required: Project Sheet with items 1 to 3 completed. The Project Sheet can be downloaded from the L-AIR website. 【Reference Materials】 ★ Portfolio highlighting your background, achievements, and previous works ★ Personal website and Instagram account ☆ Articles or media coverage featuring interviews or coverage of your past activities ☆ Additional materials related to the project, etc. If the files are too large to attach to an email, please use a file transfer service such as GigaFile便. Please note that we do not accept inquiries regarding the selection criteria. |
| Contact | L-A・I・R General Incorporated Association 77 Takagi, Hanada-cho, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture 671-0255 E-mail: info@l-air.or.jp Twitter:https://twitter.com/l_air_himeji Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/l_air_himeji |
| Application page (JP) | https://l-air.or.jp/journal/2026/08/914/ |
| Application page (EN) | https://l-air.or.jp/journal/2026/08/916/ |