Open Call: ARCUS Research Summer and Winter
ARCUS
ARCUS Research Summer 2027 (one or two months)
ARCUS Research Winter 2028 (six week)
ARCUS Research is a short-term and self-funded program that offers uninterrupted time and a contemplative environment for creative experimentation, in-depth fieldwork, and research for practitioners and professionals in art and other cultural fields, including artists, curators, researchers, university educators, or writers. The program is scheduled twice a year, in the summer of 2027 and the winter of 2028. Located around an hour from Tokyo and a half hour from Tsukuba City, known for hosting one of the largest accumulations of science and technology institutes in the world, ARCUS Research allows participants to come into contact with the contemporary art scene and leading research institutions, as well as devote themselves to their creative endeavors in a calm environment. The program provides participants from around the world with valuable time and space to reflect, unwind, and nurture the creative process.
Please read the program guideline carefully before applying.
Duration
One-month residency: 1 to 3 participants for each period
June 3 –July 2, 2027
July 7 – August 5, 2027
Two-month residency: 1 to 3 participants
June 3 – August 5, 2027
Six-week residency: 3 participants
January 14–February 24, 2028
PROGRAM FEE [Paid by participants]
One-month residency: JPY270,000
Two-month residency: JPY520,000
Six-week residency: JPY400,000
The fee includes studio space, accommodation, and basic consultation and orientation at the beginning of the residency program. As an optional activity, participants are invited to the “Show & Tell” salon to present their work and share projects with the local community at the end of the residency.
FUNDING
This is a self-funded residency program. If participants apply for grants from institutions, government agencies, or universities in their country/province of origin, ARCUS Project will provide the acceptance letter for the grant application once you are selected for the program.
ELIGIBILITY
The applicant must:
be a practitioner or other professional in a cultural and art-related field, including an artist, curator, researcher, or writer.
not be enrolled at an educational institution during the program period unless a PhD program.
have English-language ability proficient enough to communicate with staff.
APPLICATION
The following materials should be compiled in one PDF (A4 size) in a folder named “Last name_First name” (e.g., Smith_David) and compressed into a Zip file. The PDF file must not exceed 6 MB. Email the file to arcus@arcus-project.com with “2027 ARCUS Research Application” in the subject line.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS
• The screening process will be conducted by the ARCUS Project Selection Committee.
• Applicants may be required to provide additional application materials and a video interview.
• Unless otherwise noted, applicants will be notified via email of the result of their application by the middle of February 2027.
• Please be aware that we cannot respond to individual inquiries concerning the selection process.
DEADLINE
December 16, 2026, 23:59:59 (JST) Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. We cannot accept applications via fax or postal mail.
The program fee is paid in two installments via bank transfer or online transfer. Any bankʼs remittance charge and foreign exchange lift charge should be covered by the participants. [1st payment] 50% of the full program fee must be paid by 60 days prior to the first day of your residency period. [2nd payment] The remaining 50% of the program fee must be paid by 14 days prior to the first day of your residency period. [Cancellation Policy] If a participant decides to cancel their participation in the program, for any reason, between the time of signing the agreement and the due date of the first payment, they will be charged a cancellation fee equivalent to 10% of the full program fee. (The agreement is signed approximately five months before the start of the program.)
[Refund Policy]
Cancellation by the participants for any reason will not be subject to refund. However, if the program is cancelled due to travel restrictions such as outbreak of a contagious disease, 5 natural disasters, or war, a refund will be made for the amount already paid, excluding half of the cancellation fee for the accommodation and transaction fee. VISA The participant is responsible for obtaining visa from the Embassy of Japan or ConsulateGeneral of Japan if the visa is required for entering Japan. The Administration Committee does not have responsibility for supporting visa but will provide an invitation letter if needed for visa application.
INQUIRIES
Please use the contact form on the ARCUS Project website: http://www.arcus-project.com/en/contact/ Closed on Sundays, Mondays, and national holidays. Closed on Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday. Any inquiries sent when ARCUS Studio is closed will be answered the next working day. Please be aware that we cannot respond to inquiries received after the application period has finished.