2026-01-17

The purpose of Artist in Residence project is to host and support artists etc. from domestic and overseas who conduct creative activities while residing at the Niigata City Center for Creative Arts and International Youth Exchange （YUI – PORT）, to create an environment where creative-rich human resources can easily gather, to transmit the charm of Niigata City to domestic and overseas, to inspire regional pride and affection by rediscovering the attractions of nature, history and culture of this region through the interaction of citizens and artists etc.

Applications are now open for artists to participate in the YUIPORT Artist-in-Residence "Short-Term Program 2026" and "Invitation Program 2026 Autumn".
For more information about the open call, please make sure to read the application guidelines.
We look forward to your application.


DETAIL of OPEN CALL

1. Purpose of the Project
The purpose of Artist in Residence project is to host and support artists etc. from domestic and overseas who conduct creative activities while residing at the Niigata City Center for Creative Arts and International Youth Exchange （YUI – PORT）, to create an environment where creative-rich human resources can easily gather, to transmit the charm of Niigata City to domestic and overseas, to inspire regional pride and affection by rediscovering the attractions of nature, history and culture of this region through the interaction of citizens and artists etc.

2. Features of the Program
YUI – PORT is a refurbished former junior high school facility. It is a complex facility to conduct two activities, “experience based activities for youth” and “cultural and artistic activities”. The location is near the central urban area of Niigata City and located in an environment facing the Sea of Japan and the pine forest. It is possible for artists etc. residing in the facility to conduct higher creative activities while being inspired by Niigata City's natural, historical and cultural charm.
Artist etc. residing in the facility will open their creative process to the public and through workshops and research, it is possible to nurture relationships with citizens and youth and lead to diverse creative developments. Also, by artists etc. residing at the same time period interacting with each other, it leads to create new area by fusing different kind of fields.

3. Program Outline
■Short-Term Program 2026 (Autonomous Activity Program)
Number of Applicants Invited: Approximately 2 to 3 people (or groups)
Duration of Stay: Within 30 days from July 8, 2026 (Wednesday) to August 21, 2026 (Friday)

■Invitation Program 2026 Autumn
Number of Applicants Invited: 2 people (or groups)
Duration of Stay: Within 90 days from September 1, 2026 (Tuesday) to November 30, 2026 (Monday)

4. Qualifications
・Currently active artist (genre does not matter).
・Participate in the citizen exchange project at least once in cooperation with Designated Administrator.
・Reside and conduct creative activities in YUI – PORT.
・Able to communicate in either Japanese or English.
・In good health condition.
・The applicant must not be affiliated with an organized crime group, a member of an organized crime group, or any other anti-social forces, and must not have any socially reprehensible ties to such organizations.
・ The creation and presentation of works in this program must not violate public order and morals.
・The primary purpose of the creation or activity must not be the dissemination or support of a specific political or religious cause.
*If a violation of the above conditions is discovered after selection, or if the application contains false information, the acceptance may be revoked and the applicant may be requested to return the grant in whole or in part.

5. Details of Invitation
Artist etc. and Designated Administrator shall carry out the program by concluding a contract which includes the following contents. The invitation is based on the principle that artists participate in the program by themselves. Their families and production assistants are not allowed to accompany or stay. It is possible for more than one person, such as a group, to apply, but in that case, the support will be for 1 person (1 room).
*The support/invitation contents differ between the ‘Short-Term Program'and the ‘Invitation Program'. Please make sure to check the application requirements.


6. How to Apply
Please download the designated application form from below, fill in the necessary information and apply by e-mail [yuiportair-apply@kirameki.co.jp].

＜Subject＞
■Short-Term Program Applicants：AIR 2026 Short-Term Application
■Invitation Program Applicants：AIR 2026 Autumn Application

＜Documents to be submitted＞
(a) Application form
(b) One photograph of your face taken within the last 6 months (Only the photograph of the representative is required, please attach the photograph to the application form)
(c) Work Materials （Work Materials shall be attached or described in the column “7. Material of Your Work” in the Application form.）
　①Up to 3 images of works
　At least one item must be submitted and the data capacity of each work image must be less than 1MB.
　②Up to 3 video works (Optional)
　Upload the video files to Google Drive, One Drive, or other cloud storage and attach the URL. The total length of all videos ([1]–[3]) shall be within 10 minutes.

*Please keep the application form within 6 pages of A4 size.
*Applicants who do not use the specified size, format, or method may not be eligible for selection.
*Please note that, in principle, the submitted application documents will not be returned.
*Handling of personal information: We will never use the submitted application documents for purposes other than the YUI – PORT project.

7. Period of Accepting Application
January 17, 2026 (Saturday) – February 16, 2026 (Monday) 23:59 JST [No Later Than]
*Applications outside this period will not be accepted.

8. Selection and Result
The selection committee selects and decides based on the submitted materials. All applicants will be notified by e-mail by the early of May 2026 (planned schedule). Please note that we do not accept individual inquiries regarding the selection process and results.

9. Application / Inquiries
Please contact us by e-mail if you have any questions regarding application during the period of accepting application.

YUI - PORT Niigata City Center for Creative Arts and International Youth Exchange
Artist-in-Residence Project
2-5932-7, Futaba-cho, Chuo-ku Niigata City Niigata Pref., Japan 951-8102
E-mail: yui-port@kirameki.co.jp WEB: https://www.yui-port.com/
Designated Administrator: KIRAMEKI CORPORATION

*These projects are based on the draft budget for fiscal 2026. Please note in advance before applying that there may be changes to the content, including cancellation, depending on the status of budget deliberations.


DOWNLOAD OPEN CALL DOCUMENTS

■Short-Term Program 2026
　Application Guidelines　［PDF］［Word］
　Application Form 　［PDF］［Word］

■Invitation Program 2026 Autumn
　Application Guidelines　［PDF］［Word］
　Application Form 　［PDF］［Word］