2026 Tokyo Live and Stage Support Grant (Japan)

Deadline: 25-Sep-2026

The Tokyo Live & Stage Support Grant provides financial assistance for public performances, concerts, and other creative activities in Tokyo. The program supports a broad range of performing arts, including theater, dance, music, traditional performing arts, and other live performance activities. The grant is designed to strengthen Tokyo’s performing arts sector by supporting small and medium-sized organizations as well as larger-scale performances with the potential to reach significant audiences.

About the Tokyo Live & Stage Support Grant

The program aims to foster a vibrant cultural and performing arts scene in Tokyo by helping organizations deliver high-quality live performances and creative activities. Support is available for a wide range of performance activities, allowing eligible organizations to develop and present projects that contribute to Tokyo’s cultural landscape.

The program supports:

- Theater performances - Dance performances - Music and concerts - Traditional performing arts - Other complex live performance activities - Public performances and creative activities Grant Categories The Tokyo Live & Stage Support Grant provides funding through two categories. Category I Category I supports a wide variety of performance activities carried out by small and medium-sized organizations. The grant covers up to 50% of eligible implementation costs, with a maximum grant amount of ¥1 million. This category is suitable for organizations undertaking diverse performing arts activities that may not require the larger budget available under Category II. Category II Category II is intended for performance activities expected to attract 1,000 or more people. The grant provides up to 50% of implementation costs, with a maximum grant amount of ¥2 million. Applicants seeking Category II funding may also apply for Category I simultaneously. Funding Information The maximum support available depends on the category:

- Category I: Up to ¥1 million

- Category II: Up to ¥2 million

- Grant coverage: Up to 50% of implementation costs

Applicants should ensure that their proposed project budget clearly reflects the implementation costs associated with the performance activity. Who Can Apply? The grant is open to eligible performing arts organizations located in Tokyo.

Eligible applicants include:

- Performing arts organizations - Arts groups - Private theaters and halls - Live music clubs - Intermediate support organizations - Executive committees Applicants must be located in Tokyo and must have been active for more than five years.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, applicants must:

- Be a qualifying performing arts organization or entity. - Be located in Tokyo. - Have been active for more than five years. - Propose an eligible performance or creative activity. - Conduct the project within the specified implementation period. Organizations should also select the grant category that best matches the scale and expected audience of their proposed project. Project Period Supported projects must comply with the specified project period.

Eligible projects must:

- Begin on or after December 20, 2026 - Conclude by December 19, 2027 Applicants should ensure that all proposed activities can be completed within this period. What Does the Grant Aim to Achieve? The Tokyo Live & Stage Support Grant aims to strengthen the performing arts ecosystem by providing financial assistance to organizations presenting live creative activities. The program particularly recognizes the importance of both smaller-scale cultural activities and larger performances capable of reaching substantial audiences. Through this support, organizations can contribute to: - A vibrant performing arts environment in Tokyo. - Greater public access to live performances. - Continued development of theater, dance, music, and traditional arts. - Opportunities for performing arts organizations to present creative work. - Cultural engagement among audiences in Tokyo. Category II Audience Requirement A key distinction between the two categories is the expected audience size. Category II is specifically intended for performance activities expected to attract 1,000 or more people. Organizations planning large-scale performances with substantial audience reach should therefore consider whether their project meets the Category II requirements. Applying for Both Categories Applicants for Category II may also apply for Category I at the same time. This provides eligible organizations with an opportunity to seek support through both funding categories where permitted under the program requirements. Applicants should ensure that their applications clearly explain the proposed activities and associated implementation costs. Why This Grant Matters Performing arts organizations often face significant costs when producing public performances, concerts, and other live creative activities. By covering up to half of eligible implementation costs, the Tokyo Live & Stage Support Grant can help organizations deliver performances while expanding cultural participation and audience engagement. The two-category structure also allows the program to support both smaller and medium-sized activities and larger performances with significant audience reach. Frequently Asked Questions What is the Tokyo Live & Stage Support Grant? It is a grant program supporting public performances, concerts, and other creative activities in Tokyo across a broad range of performing arts. How much funding is available? Category I provides up to ¥1 million, while Category II provides up to ¥2 million. How much of the project costs can the grant cover? The grant can cover up to 50% of implementation costs. What is Category I? Category I supports a wide variety of performance activities undertaken by small and medium-sized organizations, with funding capped at ¥1 million. What is Category II? Category II supports performance activities expected to attract 1,000 or more