Kinosaki International Arts Center (KIAC) is a residential facility for creation of performing arts, located in a onsen district of Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture. Inaugurated in 2014 after the renovation of the former Kinosaki Convention Hall, the center is structured with a main hall, six studios, residence facility where maximum of 22 people can be accommodated, a shared kitchen and other spaces. Since its opening, KIAC has been highly acclaimed for the fact that artists can stay as if living in Kinosaki, while fully concentrating on their creation. Throughout the year, the center offers an Artist-in-Residence program for artists and companies selected among applicants to the annual open call and supports their creation. Artists can stay at the center for a minimum of three days and a maximum of three months, with no facility charges and accommodation fees. The facilities are available for 24 hours a day. The mission of the center is to send out excellent performances to the world and to create an environment where the local community can access to the diverse artistic activities through the “Meet the Artist” programs like work-in-progress presentation and workshops. On top of that, since 2016, the center actively pursues to enhance its function as a theater and art center, by producing and presenting two or three performances a year, organizing outreach workshops at schools and nursing homes and offering the training program of internship.
Artist-In-Residence Program 2027/2028 of Kinosaki International Arts Center
Kinosaki International Art Center (KIAC), an artist-in-residence facility for contemporary artistic activities with a focus on the performing arts, invites interested artists to present their projects for the residency in the fiscal year 2027/28. From the previous Open Call in fiscal year 2026, We have decided to include “Research-based art projects” in addition to “Performing arts” in the scope of eligible artistic genres and activities.KIAC has accepted residencies for artists and activities that implement art projects in the past, and we feel a strong affinity with them as an art center to carry out residencies, so we have clearly stated this in the application guidelines for this Open Call. KIAC aims to be like a door to an unknown world or a window to observe the familiar everyday for those who engage with its activities. Unlike a theater where completed works are programmed, KIAC is an art center for the creation and community exchange. It is a place for experimentation where resident artists and local residents may be able to interact with each other to create values or works that no one has yet seen. We look forward to receiving applications from artists and projects that will make a great journey to discover new possibilities of KIAC and artistic expression together in the next future. Application details ■Intended program period 1st April 2027 - 31st March 2028 *Excluding one month of September 2027 ■Eligible projects Any of the following activities that feasibility is ensured*. (1) Performing arts (theater, dance, music, performance, etc.) (2) Research-based art projects (3) Study groups, symposiums, lectures, etc. by art professionals *This refers to activities for which the past performance, production/implementation system, budget plan, scale of activity, schedule, and method of progress management are judged to be appropriate. **The selection process does not depend on whether or not there is a plan to present or perform the results of the residency or the project after the residency. Residency for research and work-in-progress is also acceptable. ***Invalid projects: - Projects that do not have a creative purpose (with the exception of lectures and symposiums). - Projects whose main goal is to raise donations for charity organizations. - Projects that are aimed to be shared to a strictly restricted audience such as a specific group or organization. ■Support Kinosaki International Arts Center will support the artists with providing space for creation and accommodation and, staff as follows: 1.) Free use of Kinosaki International Arts Center hall and studios. 2.) Free use of the residence of up to 7 rooms. 3.) Technical staff and coordinators will support the creation and research. *As a general rule, personnel expenses for all the staff involved in the production, transportation to Kinosaki, etc. must be covered by the applicant. *Artists must pay 350 yen per person per day to Toyooka City for utilities. ■Application Requirements 1.) Individual artists or groups of artists can stay at Kinosaki International Arts Center for their artistic activities for a minimum of 7 days to a maximum of three months. 2.) Artists are required to be able to speak and understand basic Japanese or English. If they don’t, artists should hire an interpreter at their own expense. 3.) Artists are required to be independent and capable of working and living on their own doing their laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. 4.) Artists are expected to be willing to communicate with the locals and tourists through the Community Exchange Program. (See details below) 5.) Artists must follow the rules and regulations of Kinosaki International Arts Center. In case of any violation, artists will have to pay a penalty. 6.) Artists must cover all travel and living expenses and all production costs. ■Expectations upon acceptance 1.) Artists must pay 350 yen per person per day to Toyooka City for utilities. (ex: A group of 5 components staying for 9 nights = 350 JPY x 5 people x 10 days = total : 17,500 JPY) 2.) During their stay, artists must be involved in the Community Exchange Program(*) by organizing activities that will encourage creative exchange with the locals and tourists. 3.) When presenting a piece of work that has been created at KIAC, artists must credit Kinosaki International Arts Center (Toyooka City) by printing the facility name and its logo on all promotional material. 4.) Artists must agree to help promote Kinosaki International Arts Center by sharing photos, videos and information. (However, all rights related to the work created during their stay belong to the artists involved).
Japan / Toyooka CityDeadline 2026.06.27