ARCUS RESEARCH | SUMMER 2026

Arcus Research is a short-term and self-funded program that offers an uninterrupted time and contemplative environment for creative experimentation, in-depth fieldwork, and research for practitioners and professionals in art and other cultural fields, including artists, curators, researchers, university educators, or writers. The program is scheduled twice a year, in the summer of 2026 and the winter of 2027. (Open Call for winter period will be around the spring 2026).

Located around an hour from Tokyo and a half hour from Tsukuba City, known for hosting one of the largest accumulations of science and technology institutes in the world, ARCUS Research allows participants to come into contact with the contemporary art scene and leading research institutions, as well as devote themselves to their creative endeavors in a calm environment. The program provides participants from around the world with valuable time and space to reflect, unwind, and nurture the creative process.

Dates of residencies

One-month residency: 1 or 2 participants for each period

May 28 – June 26, 2026
July 2 – July 31, 2026

Two-month residency: 1 or 2 participants

May 28 – July 31, 2026

Price

One-month residency: JPY270,000

Two-month residency: JPY520,000

The fee includes studio space, accommodation, and basic consultation and orientation at the beginning of the residency program. As an option activity, participants are invited to the “Show & Tell” salon to present their work and share projects with the local community at the end of the residency.

This is a self-funded residency program. If participants apply for grants from institutions, government agencies, or universities in their country/province of origin, ARCUS Project will provide the acceptance letter for the grant application once you are selected for the program.

Eligebility

The applicant must:

– be a practitioner or other professional in a cultural and art-related field, including an artist, curator, researcher, or writer.

– not be enrolled at an educational institution during the program period unless a PhD program.

– have English-language ability proficient enough to communicate with staff.

Deadline to apply is December 8, 2025

Find out more about the program here.