AIR_J Adds EU Section
AIR_J (https://air-j.info/), a comprehensive website listing artist-in-residence (AIR) programs throughout Japan operated by City of Kyoto and Kyoto Art Center, has launched AIR@EU, a new section introducing AIRs in the European Union. The expansion, launched on 13 June, is part of a cultural exchange project operated by the Delegation of the European Union to Japan and was realized in collaboration with AIR_J.
The AIR@EU section introduces a range of AIR programs in each of the 27 EU Member States in Japanese and English. Through keyword searching and cross-referencing, artists can easily find the information that they need. The site will also feature links to further AIR-related databases in English as well as articles on the latest AIR developments in the EU.
The main purpose of the new section is to help Japanese artists expand their activities to the EU by giving them a deeper understanding of AIRs in each EU Member State, including countries that so far have had little opportunity to showcase their art scenes in Japanese.
Mami Katsuya, Coordinator, Air_J, said:
“The AIR@EU section is a new feature of the AIR_J website. We hope it will further invigorate exchanges between artists in Japan and the EU, and help Japanese artists to expand their activities on an international level. The City of Kyoto and Kyoto Art Center will continue to support international artist exchanges, including AIR programs.”
Haitze Siemers, Minister and Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Japan, said:
“The creation of a new AIR@EU section within AIR_J marks an important milestone in our cultural exchange project. We expect the launch of a section dedicated to AIR opportunities in the EU to further stimulate exchanges between Japanese and EU-based artists. Through AIR@EU, Japanese artists will encounter AIRs that open new doors for their creative activities, enabling them to absorb a variety of experiences locally and build diverse networks. We hope they will share these experiences with other artists upon returning to Japan.”
Commemorating the Opening of AIR@EU
Online Lecture Series: “Europe and Artists' Residencies, Work, and Lives”
To celebrate the launch of the AIR@EU section, a series of online events will be arranged featuring artists and art professionals who have experience living and working in EU Member States. In these three events, audiences will hear from experienced artists and art professionals about AIRs in the EU as well as receive information about the current state of the European art and culture scene, including recent trends. The sessions, organized in cooperation with “Art for All”, will be recorded and made available on AIR_J after the events.
< Session 1. Using artist-in-residence programs
Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024, 20:00-22:00, online (Zoom Webinar)
Speakers: Maiko Jinushi (Artist, AIR experience in Spain and other places),
Takuya Watanabe (Artist, AIR experience in Belgium and other places),
Ana Scripcariu-Ochiai (Artist, AIR experience in Romania and other places)
Moderator: Yu Araki (Artist, Film Director)
- Join the webinar here: https://euin.jp/AIRevent0627
< Session 2: Introduction to artist-in-residence programs
Date: Friday, July 26, 2024, 20:00-22:00, online (Zoom Webinar)
Speakers: Heidi Vogels (TransArtists Coordinator, Artist / The Netherlands),
Mami Katsuya (AIR_J), Junichiro Ishii (ICA Kyoto, Artist)
Moderators: Myu Hanaoka (Artist) Ishu Han (Artist)
*Japanese-English consecutive interpretation provided
- Join the webinar here: https://euin.jp/AIRevent0726
< Session 3: Working and living in Europe as an artist
Date: Friday, August 30, 2024, 20:00-22:00 online (Zoom Webinar)
Speakers: Mako Ishizuka (Artist, Researcher, based in Sweden), Michikazu Matsune (Performance Artist, Choreographer, based in Austria), Hanako Murakami (Artist, based in France)
Moderator: Mika Maruyama (Critic, Curator, based in Austria)
- Join the webinar here: https://euin.jp/AIRevent0830
About AIR_J https://air-j.info/
A website dedicated to disseminating information about artist-in-residence programs across Japan in both Japanese and English. Artist in Residence (AIR) is a short-term residence program to support creative activities of artists, creators, and researchers. AIR_J provides information on AIR programs in Japan, such as the outline and application requirement of each program, to those living abroad who are interested in AIR programs and the culture of Japan. It also offers a cross-searchable database of AIR programs, FAQ, interviews and essays to update the user with the latest information on AIR programs in Japan and abroad.
About the Delegation of the European Union to Japan https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/japan_ja
Media contact for this story
Kreab K.K. (PR agency), Akane Takahashi and Sumi Nakamichi
Inquiries regarding AIR_J
Kyoto Art Center, AIR_J representatives, Mami Katsuya, Shoko Nishida
