Artist in Residence Program

ZEN AIR
FY2024 Application Guidelines
1. Purpose of the Program
Eiheiji Town in Fukui Prefecture, home to Eiheiji, the head temple of the Soto sect of Buddhism,
is known as the “village of Zen.” This project will provide artists and other art professionals(hereinafter, “artists”) the opportunity to experience Zen culture, conduct research on Zen andthe region, and engage in creation and research while engaging with local residents. The artists
will be asked to communicate the results of their work and research through these activities. As
such, this program is intended to support artists, and at the same time, to draw out the spirit andculture of Zen that live on in the town from an artist’s perspective, thereby encouraging a senseof attachment to the region and interest in art and culture, and fostering a variety of connections,both among people and between people and culture.
2. About Eiheiji Town
Eiheiji is a town of 18,000 inhabitants adjoining Fukui City. The Kuzuryu River, the largest
river in the prefecture, flows through the center of the town, and in summer many people frominside and outside the prefecture visit the town to fish for sweetfish.
The town is home to many historical and cultural assets, including Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple,
Kippoji Temple, and the Matsuoka Kofun Cluster. Its specialty products include onions,sweetcorn and garlic. The town is also famous as one of the best sake-producing areas in theprefecture with three sake breweries. In recent years, field testing of automated driving has been
conducted in the town, and it was the first in Japan to begin level-4 operation. Eiheiji Town also
has a well-developed educational environment, boasting academic and research institutions
such as the University of Fukui School of Medical Sciences and Fukui Prefectural University.
https://www.eiheiji.jp/en/
3. Features of the Program■ Two types of courses:
The residency program offers two courses, the Production Course and the Research Course.
Artists in residence may choose either course.
■ Zen experience and Zen culture research
Artists in residence will participate in a one-night stay “sanro” program and experience Zen
meditation at Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple to deepen their understanding of Zen and will also havethe opportunity to learn from the historical buildings and cultural assets related to Zen andBuddhism located within the temple’s grounds.

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■ Provision of housing and studio space
The program provides a vacant house in town for use as an accommodation and a studio.
■ Support during residence
During their residency, the program will support the artists’ research on Zen culture and theregion, exchanges with local residents, production activities, and opportunities to present theirwork.
■ Presentation of the results of activities
Artists are required to present the results of their activities in the form of a presentation or
exhibition during their residency.
4. Program overview and application requirements

Eligibility
Number ofopenings
Residence
periodResidence
location andactivity sites
Nature ofactivities

Exchange
programApplication
requirements(1) Production Course
Currently active artists (any genre)(2) Research Course
Currently active artists, curators, arts
researchers, etc. (any genre)
Two groups in total for the two courses
Minimum 60 days to maximum 90 days between August 26, 2024 (Mon) andNovember 28, 2024 (Thu)*From November 9th to November 24th, it will be the public production andpresentation term. Therefore, you have to be present on site during thisweekend, as well as during setup, exhibition, and takedown.
*If it takes time to obtain a visa, the length of your stay can be discussed.
Vacant house in Eiheiji Town

Production of artwork during
Research and study of Zen culture andresidence in Eiheiji Town.
Eiheiji Town.
Work in public for a specified period Presentation of the results of activities
of time.
in forms of presentations, talks, etc.
Presentation of the results ofactivities, such as artworkexhibitions, performances and talks.
At least one workshop or school visit.
●●
●
●
●
●
●

Artists, researchers and curators aged 20 and overNo restrictions on nationality
Ability to communicate in Japanese or English
In good health
Ability to communicate well with local residents
Must present the results of their activities
Must participate in the exchange program2

5. If holding an exhibition
Venue: Facilities in Eiheiji Town (including open-air exhibitions)■ As a general rule, the location of the exhibition will be the following candidate facility,
the former Eiheiji Health Center. Artists can also use it as a production site.
■ The exhibition of works and the framework of the exhibition will be decided throughconsultation with the organizer.
The former Eiheiji Health Center

6. Program content
The artists and the organizers will implement the program by concluding an agreement thatincludes the content written in the following table. The content of the program is premised on
artists participating individually. Group applications or other applications involving multiple
people will be accepted, but in such cases, only one person’s worth of support will be provided.
ItemContent(1) Production Course

TravelTravel expenses(2) Research Course

The organizer will provide expenses, within a given limit, for around-trip by public transportation to the place of residence from theairport (train station) nearest to the invited artist’s home.
● In accordance with Fukui Prefecture’s travel expense regulations,this will cover the amount of the most reasonable and efficientroute using public transportation. This will be provided for one
round trip during the program period, and any subsequent trips
will be at the artist’s own expense.
● The maximum amount is 100,000 yen for travel inside Japan and
200,000 yen for international travel.
● For international travel, payment will be made in Japanese yen,calculated based on the exchange rate on the date of purchase.
● Expenses related to the transportation of materials will be borneby the artist.
● Travel expenses in excess of the maximum amount will be borneby the artist.

3VisaProduction
expensesNature ofactivities

Equipment

Residence andactivity sites

Workshops/
school visits

Public production
work

Artists resident overseas are required to obtain a passport and visa
for entry into Japan as necessary (at their own expense). Pleasecontact the Japanese embassy in your country for details.
Production, activities, workshops
The organizers will provide
The organizers will provide 2,500
340,000 yen to cover production yen per day of stay to cover
expenses (purchase of materials, research expenses during the stay.
research expenses, etc.) during
the residency.
● During the residency period, artists will conduct research andproduction activities and report the results in some form. In
addition, participation in at least one workshop or school visit
and talk event is required.
● Artists are required to request and obtain permission from theorganizers in advance if they intend to leave their place ofresidence for a certain period of time to conduct research orsurveys in connection with their activities.
Artists are required to prepare equipment and tools for their researchand production.
● The organizers will lend
● The organizers will lendartists, free of charge, aartists, free of charge, a house
house as a place to stay andas a place to stay and as aa production site.
base for activities.
● In principle, the artists will ● In principle, the artists will
be responsible for cleaning.
be responsible for cleaning.
In addition, artists must
In addition, artists must
return the facilities andreturn the facilities andequipment they used to theequipment they used to theorganizers in their originalorganizers in their originalcondition after completing
condition after completing
their production activities
their research activities
during the program period.
during the program period.
Artists are required to conduct either workshops or school visits incooperation with the organizers. The organizers will prepare thematerials necessary for workshops/school visits and pay theassociated expenses (up to a maximum amount).
Artists are required to conduct
public production work for a
specified period of time.
The period is scheduled from
November 9th to November
15th. (The completed works arescheduled to be exhibited fromthe 16th to the 24th.)4Artworks after
completion of theresidency

Presentation ofresults

Artists must remove their artworks from the premises themselves
upon completion of their production activities. Artists are responsible
for packing their artworks to take them home. The costs oftransporting artworks shall be borne by the artists themselves.
The presentation of results (exhibition of works, performances,presentations, panel displays, etc.) will be held at the former Eiheiji
Health Center, scheduled from November 16th to 24th.The locationof the presentation (talk, exhibition, performance, etc.) and the final
presentation plan will be decided upon mutual consultation between
the artists and the organizers.
Presentations or panel
displays consisting solely of
past works or materials aregenerally not permitted.
●● The preparation work forpresentations, panel displays,etc., is generally to be carriedout by the artist themselves.
●● The organizers will provide
materials deemed necessary
for presentations and panel
displays (captions, panels,etc.) in consultation with theartist.
●● The transportation costs forpast works and materials
necessary for presentations
and panel displays will beborne by the artist.
During the presentation period, a talk event with the artist and thedirector will be held. The organizers will prepare the necessary
materials for the talk, in consultation with the artist, and will cover
the expenses.
●(For exhibitions/performances)

Talk Event

Living expenses

Utilities

As a rule, exhibitions
consisting solely of pastworks are not permitted.
As a rule, preparation workfor exhibitions/performances will be doneby artists themselves.
The organizers will preparematerials (captions, panels,etc.) deemed necessary forholding theexhibitions/performances inconsultation with artists.
The transportation costs forpast works will be borne by
the artist.

●Daily life during the residency
The organizers will provide 3,000 yen per day for living expenses
during the residency (up to a limit of 89 nights and 90 days).
However, this will not be paid for days spent outside of Eiheiji Town
for personal reasons, such as travel. The same shall apply for latearrival/early departure.
The organizers will pay utility costs during the residency.

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The organizers will lend, free of charge, a vacant house in thetown (furnished in advance) as a place to stay.
● Artists are responsible for cleaning the residence themselves.
When returning home, artists must return all facilities used tothe organizers in their original condition.
Artists may use the Internet via wireless LAN in available areas.
Artists are responsible for obtaining their own accident insurance andliability insurance, and the organizers will not be held responsible forinsurance coverage.
Other●Location ofresidence
Communication
Insurance

Support

Records ofactivities

Records ofactivities
Cooperation withmedia relations

OtherArtists will be provided the following support as necessary.
● Provision of information on how to obtain art materials andsupplies● Support relating to research activities● Recruiting support volunteers● The organizers will document the works and activities of artists
during the program with photographs or videos. Artists are asked
to cooperate with such recordings.
● All copyrights to the works and concepts created through thisprogram belong to the artists themselves, but the copyrights tophotographs, videos, etc. recorded by the organizers and the rightto use them for publicity and advertising purposes that contributeto the public interest shall belong to the organizers. In addition,
all of these may be used free of charge by any party approved bythe organizers.
The organizers will create a record of the program's activities (once ayear).
Artists are requested to cooperate to the extent possible with requests
for coverage from media companies. However, if it is deemed that it
would interfere with production activities or infringe on privacy, they
can consult the organizers and refuse the coverage.
● In the event of unavoidable circumstances such as disasters orvarious infectious diseases, the content of the program maychange. In such cases, the response will be decided throughconsultation between the artist and the organizers.
● Please note that income tax will be deducted from the amounts
for production costs, research costs, travel expenses, andaccommodation fees mentioned above.
● Fuel costs and other expenses for using a private car during yourstay will be at your own expense. If you rent a car, the rental
costs will also be at your own expense.
*Although staff may be able to provide a car and accompany you,please understand that we may not be able to accommodate all
requests.

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*Since this is a regional city, public transportation is limited. If you
have a driver's license, it will be convenient for you to have your own
car or rent a car.
7. Application process
Please submit your application through the following application form:(1) Please fill in the required information.
(2) Download the designated application from the ZEN AIR website [https://zen-air.org], fillin the required information, and attach it to the application form.
[Application Form] https://shinsei.e-fukui.lg.jp/fpJKJDpq*If you are unable to access the application form, please contact info@zen-air.org.
<Documents to be submitted>
Please fill out the application form with the following items:
Full Name, Artist Name, Artist Profile, Motivation for Applying, Activity Plan, Activity
Materials and Captions.
★ For the "Activity Materials and Captions" section, please attach and provide information
about the following:① Up to 5 images of past works and activity records:- You must submit at least 3 images.
- The data size of each image should be within 2MB.
② Up to 3 past video works (optional):- Consolidate video files using a file transfer service or online storage.
- Attach the URL.
- The total duration of all videos should be within 10 minutes.
➢➢➢➢

Please compile the entire application form (including activity materials) into one PDF filewith a size limit of 10MB.
Applications submitted in sizes, formats or methods other than those specified may be
excluded from the selection process.
Please note that, in principle, submitted documents will not be returned.
Handling of personal information: Application documents will never be used for any
purpose other than for the Executive Committee’s work.

8. Application period
May 21, 2024 (Tue) – July 10, 2024 (Wed) (must arrive no later than 23:59 Japan time)*Applications received outside of this period will not be accepted.

79. Selection and results
1st round: Selection based on submitted materials
2nd round: Selection based on online interviews
All applicants will be notified of the results by e-mail by late July 2024 (provisional schedule).
Individual inquiries regarding the selection process or results will not be accepted.
<Members of the selection committee (in Japanese syllabary order)>-Kenji Kubota (Independent curator/Director of ZEN AIR)
-Hiromi Kurosawa (Chief Curator, Director of Curatorial Affairs, 21st Century Museum ofContemporary Art, Kanazawa)-Shichio Minato (Visual Artist/Professor of Visual Arts, University of Fukui, School ofEducation)
10. Applications/Inquiries
Inquiries about applications are accepted by e-mail.
ZEN AIR: Fukui Arts Center and Residence Project Executive Committee Secretariat
E-mail: info@zen-air.org
WEB: https://zen-air.org/8