1. Program Overview

This open call program offers contemporary artists, curators, researchers and others who are involved in cultural and artistic endeavors the opportunity to practice exhibitions, performances, workshops, talks and other activities, with ACAC’s full support providing assistance every step of the way from the planning stage and research to installation and presentation and archiving in catalogs.
Although holding an exhibition is not compulsory, participants are required to introduce their achievements through some form of Exchange Program in order to get their activities widely recognized. The length of stay is optional, with participants asked to select the desired period of time in 2-week increments, from a minimum of one 2-week term (14 days) to a maximum of seven 2-week terms (98 days). This year, for the first time in three years, we are able to offer the program without setting restrictions on the length of stay for all artists. Basically, an actual residency at ACAC is highly recommended, but remote participation will be allowed for activities that are able to be done remotely.
During the last few years, the world has been in turmoil due to the threat of infectious diseases and looming wars. While under pressure to respond to nearby crises, we have also been required to think about distant places. ACAC has also been exploring ways to stay connected to the world through this residency program, while continuing to take measures against such situations on a case-by-case basis.
For 2023, the program is titled “starquakes”, which refers to faint stellar oscillations. No one is able to actually observe the phenomenon, however, energy has certainly been emitted somewhere in the universe, as proof of a star’s life. In the same way, the tremors of individuals who have been devoting themselves to creative activities and research, may be generating the power to simultaneously engulf others or resonate with them.
The title of the program is a guidepost to reflect and update the “present situation” of the Artist-in-Residence program at ACAC, and does not necessarily define the activities of participants. Although this 98-day residency is not a long-term program, we hope to make contact through ACAC with the ‘heartbeats’ of stars scattered around the world, and to encompass and resonate with various expressionists, local residents and students, during the residency period.

2. Guest Judge for 2023 program

HIROTA Midori
Artist, Anthropologist. Born in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. After graduating from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Aichi University of the Arts, Hirota was based in Indonesia (Bali and Yogyakarta) for 17 years from 1994. While there, she managed an alternative space and organized numerous exhibitions while being an artist. After returning to Japan, Hirota received her doctorate in Anthropology, in the study of Indonesian contemporary art, at Nagoya University’s Graduate School of Humanities（Anthropology Major）. She is currently an associate professor at the Professional Institute of International Fashion (PIIF). Her major exhibitions include “Exchange Project ’07: Memories of Asia” (Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, 2009).
Her major publications include “A Network of Collaboration and Symbiosis: Ethnography of Indonesian Contemporary Art” (grambooks, 2022), and “Balito Yugakuki (Study Travel report in Bali)” (Sekaibunka Publishing, 1997).

3. Number of Participants

1) Non-Japanese nationals living outside of Japan who will stay and work at ACAC (selecting from one to seven 2-week terms): 2 people
* However, if you select two 2-week terms, you may be asked to adjust the length of your stay to more than 1 month (29 nights and 30 days).
2) Residents of Japan who will stay and work at ACAC (selecting from one to seven 2-week terms): 2-3 people

4. Program Schedule

Residence Period:
The period of stay at the ACAC must be chosen from the following terms between September 14 (Thu) and December 20 (Wed), 2023. You must select at one and up to seven terms.

1． September 14 (Thu)―September 27 (Wed)
2． September 28 (Thu)―October 11 (Wed)
3． October 12 (Thu)―October 25 (Wed)
4． October 26 (Thu)―November 8 (Wed)
5． November 9 (Thu)―November 22 (Wed)
6． November 23 (Thu)―December 6 (Wed)
7． December 7 (Thu)―December 20 (Wed)

Application Period:
March 8 (Wed)―April 23 (Sun), 2023, 17:00 JST (GMT +9:00)

Selection Schedule:
April 23 (Sun), 17:00 JST (GMT +9:00) ——- Application Deadline
Late May ——- Screening (By the ACAC curatorial team and guest judge)
From mid to late June ——- Invitations Sent

5. How to Apply

Screening by application form (see appendix) and a portfolio of up to 5 works.
*Please submit the application form by email by the following deadline.

Application Deadline:April 23 (Sun), 2023 17:00 JST (GMT +9:00)

Subject: AIR 2023 Application (Name)
Address: acac-air@acac-aomori.jp

Notes:
– For the application form, please submit the second and subsequent pages as one PDF file.
– The total file size of the application form and portfolio should be no more than 5MB. Please compress them as a zipped file and send it to the above e-mail address.
– Please read page 1 of the application form carefully regarding the guidelines for the portfolio.
– An e-mail will be sent within a week to notify applicants if the documents have been received successfully. Please e-mail us if you don’t receive this confirmation notice.

6. Screening and Notification

Based on submitted materials, artists will be selected by the ACAC curatorial team and guest judge Hirota Midori.
The applicants will be informed of the final decision by email from mid to late June.

7. Application Requirements

a) Individuals or groups engaged in artistic pursuits, including curators, researchers, artists, or otherwise. (Hereafter referred to as “the artist” regardless of background or genre.)
b) The artist should understand the purpose of his or her visit to the ACAC and be able to stay or participate during the period for which they are invited.
*Remote participation will be allowed if the organizer deems it necessary.
c) Artists who choose not to exhibit will instead participate in exchange programs, including artist talks, lectures, performances, workshops, and school visits.
d) The artist should be able to explain their artwork and give lectures or workshops in English or Japanese as part of the exchange program.
e) The artist should be in good health.
f) The artist should be able to speak and understand basic English daily conversation.
g) The artist should be independent and capable of working and living on their own.
h) The artist will work with the ACAC in the setup and breakdown of exhibits and events.
i) The artist should be able to lead a community life with other artists on the program.

8. When Holding an Exhibition

Venue: Aomori Contemporary Art Centre (ACAC) and vicinity
*If the participants intend to hold an exhibition, October 28 (Sat) to December 17 (Sun) will be the base dates for the operation of the program. (negotiable)
*Following consultation with ACAC curators, exhibitions may be organized as separated exhibition in the same venue.
*The nature of the work required for the exhibition, and the location of the exhibition, will
be decided after due consultation between the ACAC and the artists.

9. Obligations of the Organizer and the Artist

The Organizer and the Artist have the following obligations to each other throughout the duration of the program and enter into a contract on the basis of this. In principle, it is a precondition that all successful applicants come alone to Aomori. Artists can apply as a group or unit. In this case, the organizer considers 1 artist’s group or unit as 1 artist and provides expenses only for 1 artist’s expense.
If successful applicants wish to be accompanied by family members or an assistant, it is necessary to consult with the ACAC beforehand. Should the ACAC approve the Artist’s request, the accompanying individuals may stay at the ACAC’s facilities. In this case, the artist is financially responsible for paying both the travel fare and the accommodation fee (2,040 JPY per night) for the accompanying individual.
Each amount of money noted in this guideline includes tax.

10. About Aomori Contemporary Art Center

The Aomori Contemporary Art Center (ACAC) is an art center offering a flagship artist-in-residence (AIR) program through its residential art facility. Since its foundation in 2001, the program has been an active platform for a diverse range of artists for their creative pursuits and presentations. Located at the foothills of the Hakkoda Mountains, residents can enjoy a rich natural environment while still being close to the center of Aomori City. The ACAC’s architectural design is the work of internationally-acclaimed architect, ANDO Tadao, and features the concept of “invisible architecture”. The center consists of a production studio (Creative Hall) and an accommodation facility (Residential Hall), encouraging interactions with others while providing a comfortable space for visitors to focus on their creations. A huge gallery space (Exhibition Hall) allows artists to work experimentally in their production process and directly practice into presentations as an exhibition at the site—another distinct feature of the center. ACAC’s AIR program is an initiative expected to unlock various creativities stimulated by and solely borne under the ACAC’s unique environment. The center aims to be an inspirational space for all involved, emphasizing interactions between domestic/international artists and local communities. Its management was transferred from Aomori City to Aomori Public University in 2009. Exchanges between university students majoring in management and economics and regional development have also been active since that time.

11. Address & Inquiry

For particulars or requests about the materials please inquire at Aomori Contemporary Art Centre by e-mail. *Please note that we are unable to respond by telephone.
atten: AIR 2023
Aomori Contemporary Art Centre
152-6 Yamazaki, Goshizawa, Aomori, 030-0134 JAPAN
Email: acac-air@acac-aomori.jp
URL: https://www.acac-aomori.jp

Application guideline and form (via Google drive):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11i3jTtIIqoOWxjiRDCBLSAHH55557JOh?usp=sharing