OPEN CALL: Artist Support Program 2026 National Center for Art Research
The National Center for Art Research, Japan (abbreviation: NCAR; director: Kataoka Mami) implements “Artist Support Program” with the goal of enhancing the international reputation of the Japanese contemporary art. For the Term I “Artist Support Program” in fiscal year 2026, applications will be accepted from December 15 (Mon.), 2025 to January 31 (Sat.), 2026.
International art exhibitions, such as biennales and triennales held around the world, function as significant opportunities for artists to present their artworks and raise the international reputation of Japanese contemporary art. This program, starting from fiscal year 2024, provides support funds for the organizers of international art exhibitions held outside Japan with the requirement that Japanese artists must participate in the exhibitions.
In the FY2025 Term I application, it has been decided to support Japanese artists through six international art exhibitions, including Bienal de São Paulo. In the FY2025 Term II, the support will be provided to artists, participating in three international art exhibitions, including Carnegie International.
About the National Center for Art Research, Japan.
Under the mission of “connecting, deepening, and expanding art,” NCAR will continue to contribute to the activation and enhancement of museum activities in Japan. Our efforts include collecting and disseminating information both domestically and internationally, promoting the utilization of collection, building person-to-person networks, expanding learning opportunities, and supporting artists.
Application guidelines (overview)
Title: Fiscal Year 2026 Term I “Artist Support Program”
Application period: December 15, 2025–January 31, 2026 Application form will be closed at 11:59pm JST.
Program details: This program offers full or partial support funds for organizers of international art exhibitions held outside Japan, with the condition that Japanese artists must participate in their exhibitions. The maximum amount of support per artist is 3.5 million Japanese yen. If multiple Japanese artists participate in the same international art exhibition, the maximum amount of support is capped at 7 million Japanese yen per exhibition.
Requirements (exhibition and exhibition period): Eligible international art exhibitions must have a stable history of institutional activity—or, if recently established, a reliable administrative structure—demonstrate originality in their theme, artist selection, and curatorial approach, and include participation by Japanese artists. The exhibition must begin between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027. The term “Japanese artists” includes naturalized and deceased Japanese artists, irrespective of their nationalities or work locations.
Eligibility: Organizers of international art exhibitions that are to be held outside Japan, in which Japanese artists participate, and that are to have an independent secretariat system and accounting organization. The organizations must agree to adhere to the program guidelines.
Notification of decision: Decisions will be notified by March 31, 2026.
The application details can be retrieved from here.
Image
Top row, from left: Yokomizo Shizuka, *Recipients* (2025) from Taipei Biennial 2025; Yasura Takeshi, *distilled* (2025) from 36th Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts. Photo: Urška Boljkovac. Bottom row, from left: Tanaka Koki, *A Pottery Produced by 5 Potters at Once (Silent Attempt)* (2023/2025), *A Piano Played by 5 Pianists at Once (First Attempt)* (2012/2025), and *A Haircut by 9 Hairdressers at Once (Second Attempt)* (2010/2025) from Bergen Assembly; Takata Fuyuhiko, *The Princess and the Magic Birds* (detail), (2021/2025) from Taipei Biennale 2025; Sawa Hiraki, *Nowhere in Myriad Layers* (detail), (2025) from Taipei Biennale 2025.