The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission offers leading contemporary and traditional artists from the United States the opportunity to spend three months in Japan through the U.S./Japan Creative Artists Program. Cultural understanding is at the heart of this program. Artists go as seekers, as cultural visionaries, and as living liaisons to the traditional and contemporary cultural life of Japan. They also go as connectors who share knowledge and bring back knowledge. Their interaction with the Japanese public and the outlook they bring home provide exceptional opportunities to promote cultural understanding between the United States and Japan.
The Program accepts applications in all disciplines including, but not limited to, Architecture or Design; Choreography; Music Composition; Filmmaking/Media Art; Folk/Traditional Art; Playwright/Theater Art; Visual Art; Writing; Multidisciplinary; and Other Disciplines.
Grant Award
- A grant award in the amount of $20,000 will be provided to each artist to cover housing, living, and professional expenses. Artists will be responsible for converting their dollar award into yen. Disbursement of the grant and financial responsibilities of the grantee will be outlined when awards are made.
- Up to $2,000 for round-trip transportation will be provided.
For full guidelines, criteria and application form for the 2015 program click here.
The next deadline for the Creative Artists Program will be February 1, 2015.
Please contact Margaret Mihori at mmihori@jusfc.gov with any questions.