What is TOKAS Residency Program ?

Tokyo Arts and Space (TOKAS) is a cultural organisation under the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. Every year, they pick artists from around the world and bring them to Tokyo for 3 months — fully funded — to work on their own creative projects.

No catch. No application fee.

What You Get

1. Free round-trip economy flight to Tokyo
2. Free single-room accommodation in Tokyo
3. Shared studio/workspace to work on your project
4. Daily living allowance so you can eat, travel, and explore
5. Project/work grant to fund your creative work
6. Opportunity to present your work at TOKAS Open Studio events

20.42% Japanese income tax is deducted from the daily allowance and project grant.

Three Programs to Choose From

1. International Creator Residency — visual artists, designers, architects (3 months)

2. Curator Residency — curators, art critics, cultural researchers (1–3 months)

3. Research Residency — arts and culture researchers (6–12 weeks, accommodation only — no financial grant)

Who Can Apply

Creator Residency:

1. You live outside Japan
2. You work in visual arts, design, or architecture
3. 5+ years of professional experience
4. Good English
5. Not a student (PhD candidates are okay)
6. Duo applications allowed — but daily allowance and project grant are for one person only; airfare is covered for both. You must have worked as a duo before.

Curator Residency:

1. Work in curation, art criticism, or cultural research
2. 3+ years of experience

No age limit for any program.

Important Dates

IST heads up: Japan is 3.5 hours ahead of India. 6:00 PM JST = 2:30 PM IST. Submit before that.

Only 6 creators selected globally — 2 per slot. This is very competitive.

How to Apply — Step by Step

1. Visit the official Page - tokyoartsandspace.jp — International Creator Residency 2027
2. Download the Application Package
3. Fill in the Application Form
4. Prepare your portfolio (PDF, max 6 pages)
5. Get 2 letters of recommendation from arts/culture professionals — written for you (or your duo), not sent directly by referees
6. Write your project proposal — what you'll create in Tokyo
7. Submit via the Online Submission Form before June 16, 2026

You can apply to multiple programs at the same time using separate forms. Same recommendation letters work for all.

Check out all three programs - tokyoartsandspace.jp/en/application

Final Thoughts

Opportunities like this don't come around often. A fully funded 3 months in Tokyo — flights, room, studio, and a grant — just to focus on your creative work. No strings attached.

The competition is real. Only 6 spots globally. But that's also the point — if you put in the effort to build a strong portfolio and a clear project proposal, you already stand out from most applicants who rush it at the last minute.

Start early. Apply honestly. Show them what you're working on and why Tokyo is the right place to do it.

The deadline is June 16, 2026. That's closer than it feels.

Want to Make the Most of Tokyo? Learn Basic Japanese First

You don't need to be fluent — English works fine in the program. But knowing even a few basic phrases changes your entire experience in Japan. Ordering food, asking for directions, a simple "arigatou" to a local — it opens doors that Google Translate never will.

Yoisho is a language institute that makes learning Japanese beginner-friendly and actually fun. Whether you're prepping for this fellowship or just want to connect more deeply with Japanese culture, starting early is the smart move.

👉 Start learning Japanese with Yoisho — before you pack your bags.