Kamiyama Artist in Residence (KAIR)

[NEW]Selected Artists for KAIR2025 will be announced by May 3rd.

KAIR2024 program finished sucessfully on 10th November

[!] Bed & Studio program is fully booked.

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We are grateful to the amazing artists Roxane Métayer, Yukari Kaihori, and Julien Grossmann, as well as everyone who supported the KAIR 2024 program.
 

The Kamiyama Artist in Residence (KAIR) Program is an independent project organized by volunteers who share the desire to develop art and culture in the town of Kamiyama. The program was established in 1999 to provide selected artists with the opportunity to experience Japanese small-town life while working together with local people on artistic projects. Every year for two months from September to November, three to five artists are invited to Kamiyama. Participating artists also hold an exhibition in the end of their stay, workshops at local schools, participate in cultural events, and hold open studio days.

Every year, applications are accepted in winter. The thing that makes KAIR stand out from other artist in residence programs is the fact that it is handmade by the local people. There are several organizations in Japan which hold artist in residence programs, but the interaction and spirit of mutual cooperation between artists and locals is what makes the KAIR program special. We really enjoy being a part of the creative process.

Kamiyama was once a place where ningyo joruri (Japanese traditional puppetry) flourished. A staggering 1,459 fusuma-e (illustrated stage background panels) that were created from the late Edo period up until the Taisho period (the mid-1800s to the early 1900s) remain in Kamiyama today. These panels were made by artists who stayed in the homes of local aristocrats while they worked with the assistance of local people. In other words, in one sense, an artist in residence program has been going on in Kamiyama since the mid-1800s.

For more information of KAIR experience;

Bed & Studio

Kamiyama started its Kamiyama Artist in Residence (KAIR) program in 1999. Every autumn, three artists are sponsored to come and stay in the town to create art and interact with the local people for approximately two months. Over the years, participating artists have created a huge legacy of work in Kamiyama.

Thanks to the growing popularity of our artist in residence program, we have experienced a real influx of people who approach us looking to spend time in Kamiyama working on their art projects, either through the KAIR program or independent of it. It is from this phenomenon that we have created the new “Bed and Studio” program as a way to help people coordinate their own self-funding AIR.

We can help arrange ideal accommodation and studio space for your group or individual needs based on the length of time, theme, or other factors. Please contact us in 3 month advance upon your planned arrival. We are are not a large AIR organizations and do not equipped art center. We run this program with limited employee and volunteers please understand we may not always accept every artists and requests.
This service is offered free of charge as part of Kamiyama AIR activities.

For more information of Bed&Studio experience;