We are pleased to announce L-AIR’s 2026 Artist-in-Residence program.
*2025.6.10_The 2025 Season 4 has been changed to 2026 Season 1 due to the transition from the Japanese fiscal year system to the Gregorian calendar year system. There are no other changes to the content.
Program Details
What new forms of expression can be born from leather?
How might leather be combined with previously unexplored materials, techniques or modes of expression?
How can leather serve as a lens through which to envision future lifestyles and environmental sustainability?
These are the key questions participants will explore during a residency of up to three months in Takagi, the leather town of Himeji City, Hyōgo Prefecture.
Application Deadlines
- Season 1: September 30, 2025 (Tue)
- Season 2: November 30, 2025 (Sun)
- Season 3: March 1, 2026 (Sun)
- Season 4: May 31, 2026 (Sun)
Costs & Support Provided
- Provision of leather and other production materials
- Support for field research and skill learning (weekend/holiday staff assistance by prior arrangement)
- Activity support grant: Up to US $1,500 per month
- Free provision of living space and production studio
Organizer
General Incorporated Association L-A･I･R
Residency Periods
- Season 1: January 5, 2026 (Mon) – March 29, 2026 (Sun)
- Season 2: April 1, 2026 (Wed) – June 28, 2026 (Sun)
- Season 3: July 1, 2026 (Wed) – September 27, 2026 (Sun)
- Season 4: October 1, 2026 (Thu) – December 27, 2026 (Sun)
Residency duration: Minimum 1.5 months, maximum 3 months
Eligibility & Requirements
- Open to individual artists, designers, or creators (including duos) in any genre
- No restrictions on age, nationality, or background
- No prior leather knowledge or experience required
- Willingness to collaborate with leather artisans and local residents
- Commitment to immerse oneself in leather and the Takagi community through fieldwork and creation
- Fluency in either Japanese or English
- Openness to sharing the creative process publicly (e.g. via social media)
- Conduct an open studio, final presentation/exhibition, and at least one exchange program (talk, lecture, performance, workshop, or school visit) during the residency
- Ability to live communally with other residents (for daily-living support, please consult in advance)
- Responsibility for one’s own creative and daily-living activities
- Presentation of a rough concept or goal by the end of Week 1, plus monthly progress meetings and reports to the L-AIR office (final output need not match initial concept)
- Donation of all works created during the residency to L-AIR for the archive
- Submission of an essay after the residency concludes
Terms of Invitation
These terms assume the artist travels alone. Accompanying persons and group applications are limited to support equivalent to one individual.
- Travel to the Residency
- Travel Expenses: Reimbursement for one-way transportation upon submission of receipts. Public transit is preferred; car travel reimbursed under the same conditions.
- Accommodation & Workspace
- Housing: L-AIR residence building (77 Takagi, Hanada-cho, Himeji City, Hyōgo)
- Studio: On-site atelier building; special arrangements by consultation
- Artists must bring their own equipment/tools (leather-related tools provided by L-AIR)
- Cleaning of used spaces is the artist’s responsibility
- Wi-Fi available; PCs and peripherals not provided
- Compliance with all facility rules
- Final Presentation
- Conduct a final exhibition or performance during the residency; schedule and venue by consultation
- Artists to manage setup, takedown, and, if needed, maintenance (assistance available by prior arrangement)
- L-AIR provides exhibition materials (captions, panels) in consultation
- Post-event removal of works by the artist
- L-AIR retains copyright for event photography/video and may use these materials freely for public-interest promotion
- Media Coverage
- Artists must follow any specific instructions from L-AIR regarding interviews, locations, or permissions
- Living Expenses & Insurance
- Living expenses not provided
- Artists are responsible for arranging their own injury, health, and other insurance coverage
- Activity Documentation & Support
- L-AIR will document works and activities via photo/video; artists are asked to cooperate
- Supporters (staff and volunteers) will assist with research and community connections; details determined jointly
- Force Majeure
- In cases of natural disasters or other force majeure, L-AIR and the artist will consult to determine appropriate measures
- Artists must provide emergency contact information in advance
Application Process
Prepare the following and submit by email to info@l-air.or.jp (Subject: L-AIR Artist Apply):
- Project Title
- Project Overview/Theme (detailed description)
- Proposed Schedule (use our application form: [Word] / [PDF])
- Background & Achievements (project history and career summary)
- Supplementary Materials (for large files, please use a transfer service such as GigaFile)
Selection Process
Applications will be evaluated by L-AIR’s directors and curators based on purpose, content, deliverables, and motivation:
- First Round: Document screening
- Second Round: Individual meeting (Zoom or in-person)
- Final Decision: Contract signing
Note: In case of any discrepancy between this announcement and the contract, the contract prevails.
