Aomori Contemporary Art Centre, Aomori Public University

ACAC Open Call:
Artist in Residence Program 2024: SPINNING SCAPES

Application Guidelines
1

Program Overview

This open call for the Artist-In-Residence (AIR) program offers contemporary artists,
curators, researchers and others who are involved in cultural and artistic endeavors theopportunity to practice preparing for exhibitions, performances, workshops, talks andother activities, with the full support of ACAC. Assistance is provided every step of theway, from the planning stage and research to installation, presentation and catalog
archiving and distribution. Although holding an exhibition is not compulsory, participants
are required to introduce their achievements through some form of Exchange Programin order to ensure their activities become widely recognized.
The length of stay is optional. Participants are asked to select the desired period oftime in 2-week increments, from a minimum of one 2-week term (13nights, 14 days) to a
maximum of six 2-week terms (83 nights, 84 days). It is recommended that applicants
ensure that the activities they wish to achieve while making use of ACAC’s environment,
correspond with the chosen period of residency. If participants request a two-term stay,adjustments may be made to change the residency period to a one-month stay of 30
nights, 31 days, but only if this is necessary due to grant requirements. Participation inthis program is based on an in-person residency at ACAC, although remote participation
will also be accepted for activities deemed as significant. This year, we are planning to
specially invite one group or individual for meaningful activities during a short stay of one
term.
The name of the program, which changes annually, is not a theme that defines theactivities of participants, but rather a guidepost to reflect and update the “present
situation” of the Artist-In-Residence program at ACAC. This year’s name, “SPINNING
SCAPES,” combines “scape”, referring to the “landscape (of something)”, with the word
“spinning”, which refers to something rapidly rotating or the act of spinning yarn. Naturaland human-made disasters, including wars and earthquakes, can drastically change oureveryday landscapes. Recently, in such situations, we have had cause to think about
what we can accomplish in the world through “expression”. By having various artists fromaround the world gather at ACAC, their movements, which are completely different interms of speed, methods, and trajectories, will involve local residents, students, and thesurrounding environment, creating unprecedented “scapes”. And from there, we believethat each of us can start to explore new landscapes and begin thinking together about
hints for surviving in such a world.

2 Guest Judge for 2024 program
KONDO Ryosuke
Art critic and curator. Born in Osaka, Japan in 1982, Ryosuke Kondo holds a B.A. from the
Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, University of London, and an M.A.
from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo. After serving as a
Fulbright visiting researcher at Harvard Graduate School of Design and an assistantprofessor at the University of Tokyo, he is currently an adjunct lecturer at Graduate Schoolof Global Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts. He specializes in the aesthetics and history oflandscape, and his work revolves around researching Japanese, British, and American art
and gardens, aiming at understanding landscape as a living environment through both1

theoretical and practical pursuits. He is the editor and author of several books,
including Looking at Tokyo’s Parks from the Perspective of Central Park (Tokyo
Metropolitan Park Association, 2023), and produces contemporary art exhibitions, including
Urban Sansui (kudan house, 2023).

3

Number of Participants

1) International applicants participating in a residency at ACAC (selecting from two terms[more than 1 month, 29 nights and 30 days] to up to six 2-week terms): 1-2 people
2) Local applicants staying and working at ACAC (selecting from two terms [more than
1 month, 29 nights and 30 days] to up to six 2-week terms): 1-2 people
3) Applicants residing overseas or in Japan, staying and working at ACAC (selecting one
2-week term, 13 nights and 14 days): 1 person

4

Program Schedule

Residence Period:
The period of stay at the ACAC must be chosen from the following terms between
October 2 (Wed) and December 24 (Tue), 2024. You must select at one and up to six
terms.
Term1) October 2 (Wed)―October 15 (Tue)Term2) October 16 (Wed)―October 29 (Tue)Term3) October 30 (Wed)―November 12 (Tue)
Term4) November 13 (Wed)―November 26 (Tue)Term5) November 27 (Wed)―December 10 (Tue)Term6) November 11 (Wed)―December 24 (Tue)Application Period:
March 1 (Fri)―April 28 (Sun), 2024, 17:00 JST (GMT +9:00)
Selection Schedule:
April 28 (Sun), 17:00 JST (GMT +9:00) ------- Application Deadline
From early to mid May ------- ACAC curators’ preliminary review
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 28 (Sun), 2024 17:00 JST (GMT +9:00)
Subject: AIR 2024 Application (Name)
Address: acac-air@acac-aomori.jp2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 forthe 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 andguest judge Kondo Ryosuke.
The applicants will be informed of the final decision by email from mid to late June, 2024.

7 Application Requirements
a)

b)

c)
d)

e)
f)
g)
h)
i)

8

Individuals or groups engaged in artistic pursuits, including curators, researchers,
artists, or otherwise. (Hereafter referred to as “the artist” regardless of backgroundor genre.)
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.
Artists who choose not to exhibit will instead participate in exchange programs,
including artist talks, lectures, performances, workshops, and school visits.
The artist should be able to explain their artwork and give lectures or workshops inEnglish or Japanese as part of the exchange program.
The artist should be in good health.
The artist should be able to speak and understand basic English daily conversation.
The artist should be independent and capable of working and living on their own.
The artist will work with the ACAC in the setup and breakdown of exhibits and events.
The artist should be able to participate in a community lifestyle with other artists on
the program. (Please consult in advance if support is needed for living.)

When Holding an Exhibition

Venue: Aomori Contemporary Art Centre (ACAC) and vicinity* If the participants intend to hold an exhibition, November 23 (Sat) to December 22 (Sun)will be the base dates for the operation of the program. (The final decision will be madein consultation with the invitees.)*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.

3

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 canapply 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 isnecessary 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, theartist 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.
Subject

Nature of Obligation

Travel to Aomori
THE ORGANIZER will pay the following travel expenses
according to the Aomori Public University’s regulations:<domestic resident>
A railway fare to Aomori (one time round trip) from the train
station nearest to the Artist's residence.
Travel expenses

Visa*The ORGANIZER provides travel expenses after the
ARTIST arrival.
*From overseas the amount payable is up to 150,000JPY,
for domestic travel it is up to 70,000JPY.
*The residence means the place for tax payment.
*Expenses for the transportation of goods or materials mustbe paid by the Artist.
THE ARTIST should make arrangements for a visa withwhich they may enter Japan, if it is necessary. (All costs to beborne by the artist.) Please contact us about obtaining a visa
after receiving your invitation.

Gallery Usage & Events

Activities

Artist in Residence
Production Expenses

During the residency, THE ARTIST agrees to certain
activities, including organizing an exhibition or exchange
program, in addition to conducting activities such as researchand production in the pursuit of artistic expression.
THE ORGANIZER will provide 40,000 JPY per term (80,000
JPY per a month) for production expenses deemednecessary by the ORGANIZER (including costs formaterials, research, transportation, display, removal of theexhibition, etc.).
*Regardless of the number of days, a sum of 75,000 yen will
be provided for remote participation.

4

Exhibition-related
Event Expenses

StudioCare of Studio

If an ARTIST holding an exhibition also organizes a separate
exchange program, THE ORGANIZER will provide 50,000
yen for exhibition-related event expenses.
THE ORGANIZER will provide the artists with a studio in theCreative Hall and display space in the Exhibition Hall at theACAC. (during the program period only)
THE ARTIST must share the studio with other artists.
THE ORGANIZER will regularly sweep the studio, but THE
ARTIST should keep their own studio clean. When THE
ARTIST leaves the ACAC, THE ARTIST should return thestudio to its original condition.

Artist Production at the ACAC
Exhibition--The location of each exhibition and the final contents of thework proposal must be decided after due consultation
between the ACAC (curators) and THE ARTIST.
--Exhibitions consisting solely of past works are not permitted.
--We’d like to ask for your cooperation to hold the exhibitionin accordance with the base dates for program operation.
-- In principle, THE ARTIST should exhibit his or her work by
him or herself and care and maintain his or her own workby him or herself during the exhibition.
Exhibition--THE ORGANIZER should prepare any materials necessary
for presentation (panels, explanatory captions, etc.) of theartwork for the audience. Decisions on any such materials
shall be made after due consultation between THE ARTIST
and THE ACAC.
--In order to use the gallery without partitions, for groupexhibitions, it is necessary to discuss and coordinate theinstallation of temporary walls and the use of headphones
when a work incorporates light or sound.

Handlingof the Works
after the Exhibition

Exchange Program

The works must be temporary. THE ARTIST should be able
to dismantle his or her works by him or herself after theexhibition. Should the artist wish to take that work produced
during the residency back home, THE ARTIST must pack hisor her work alone and pay any expenses involved in packing
and shipping.
If THE ARTIST does not hold an exhibition, they must be sure
to hold one of the following exchange programs.
--Lecture--Performance--Workshop--School visit
THE ORGANIZER will pay the cost for any materials used insuch exchange programs after due consultation between
THE ARTIST and THE ACAC.

5

About Living at the ACAC
THE ORGANIZER will provide living costs according to the
Aomori public university's regulations for THE ARTIST.
(upper limit is 70 days’ worth) The full amount of living
expenses is 225,720 JPY. For one term: 46,200 JPY
Living Expenses

Accommodation

Internet

Insurance

However, the living allowance will not be paid in the following
cases:-- When THE ARTIST goes outside Aomori for personal
travel.
-- In cases of late arrival to and/or early departure from the
ACAC.
THE ORGANIZER will provide the artist with residential
facilities at the ACAC during the program period (a private
single room / 19.44 ㎡).
THE ARTIST must share bathroom and kitchen facilities. The
facilities are self-catering.
THE ARTIST must keep his or her private room and thebathroom and kitchen facilities clean. When THE ARTIST
leaves the ACAC, THE ARTIST must return the residential
facilities to their original condition.
THE ARTIST can use wireless internet in our facilities.
THE ARTIST is covered by injury insurance and sickness
insurance for the duration of the residency. Any pastillnesses, chronic diseases, or dental treatments are notcovered. THE ARTIST is free to enter private healthinsurance policies.
Works presented at exhibitions and exchange programs are
not covered by insurance.

Other

Cooperation with
Record of Activities,
and About Copyright

THE ORGANIZER will take pictures of works produced andwill film the production process in order to have a record of allactivities undertaken during the period of residency. THE
ARTIST should cooperate with the recording of thesearchives. The ORGANIZER would also ask THE ARTIST tocooperate to any extent possible when disseminating theactivities of this program (via THE ARTIST’s own website,social networking services, etc.)
THE ARTIST retains copyright of his or her work. However,
THE ORGANIZER reserves the right to record (photo, film,etc.) these works, and the copyright of these archival
recordings is owned by the ACAC. The ACAC also retains theright to use any such records for publicity purposes. Any
parties who have received the proper permission from THE
ORGANIZER may use these records at no cost.
6About the Program
Catalogue

Cooperation with
Public Relations

Assistance for
Activities

About tax

About COVID-19

THE ORGANIZER will produce a Program Catalog andpresent 20 copies of the catalog to THE ARTIST.
THE ARTIST should cooperate with public relations as muchas possible. However, it is possible to refuse when there isfear of an invasion of the artist's privacy and/or interferencewith the artist's work. In such cases, please consult with THE
ORGANIZER.
Aside from ACAC staff members, the ACAC has anindependent volunteer organization that supports the resident
artists in the fields of creative assistance, translation, andgeneral living needs. The nature of the support available will
be decided after discussions with participating artists,
volunteers, and the organizer during the orientation period.
Please be aware that for those participating from countries
without tax treaties with Japan and countries with tax treaties
but for which taxes are not exempt, an income tax ofapproximately 20% (20.42% in 2021) will be withheld fromthe stipend provided. This includes both production and living
stipends. (Please contact your local embassy, consulate, orother appropriate organization for more details.)
In addition, if you reside in a country that has tax treaties withJapan, documents certifying your residence will be required.
Depending on the situation of the COVID-19, the programcontent may change. In that case, please note that thehandling will be decided in consultation with THE ARTISTS
and THE ORGANIZER.

(Example: length of stay and amount paid)
In the case of a stay of one 2-week term (13 nights 14 days), with only exchange
events conducted.
Transportation fee: 150,000 yen (maximum from overseas)
Daily allowance and meals fee: 46,200 yen
Residency production and activity expenses: 40,000 yen
Total 236,200 yen
In the case of a stay of three 2-week terms (41 nights and 42 days), with only
exchange events conducted.
Transportation fee: 150,000 yen (maximum from overseas)
Daily allowance and meals fee: 137,500 yen
Residency production and activity expenses: 120,000 yen
Total 407,500 yen
In the case of a stay of six 2-week terms (97 nights and 98 days), with both
exhibition and exchange events conducted.
Transportation fee: 150,000 yen (maximum from overseas)
Daily allowance and meals fee: 225,720 yen (maximum)7

Residency production and activity expenses: 240,000 yen
Expenses for exhibition-related events and activities: 50,000 yen
Total 665,720 yen

10 About Aomori Contemporary Art Center
The Aomori Contemporary Art Center (ACAC) is an art center offering a flagship artistin-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 theircreative 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 transferredfrom 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 2024
Aomori Contemporary Art Centre
152-6 Yamazaki, Goshizawa, Aomori, 030-0134 JAPAN
Email: acac-air@acac-aomori.jp
URL: https://www.acac-aomori.jp8