Apply for International Creations in Performing Arts Program (Japan)

Deadline: 01-Dec-2026

The Japan Foundation invites organizations and individuals in Japan to jointly organize international performing arts projects with foreign artists, particularly artists active in ASEAN countries. The programme supports international collaboration and co-production in the performing arts by providing financial assistance to projects jointly developed by Japanese applicants and international artists. It aims to encourage artistic exchange, strengthen international partnerships, and promote new performing arts works involving artists from Japan and abroad. Funding of up to JPY 10,000,000 (approximately USD 68,000) per fiscal year is available for eligible organizations with legal status, while individuals and organizations without corporate legal status can receive up to JPY 5,000,000 (approximately USD 34,000) per fiscal year.

About the International Performing Arts Program

Launched by the Japan Foundation, the programme is designed to foster international collaboration in the performing arts. It supports projects in which Japanese organizations or individuals work together with foreign artists to develop and present collaborative performing arts projects. Particular emphasis is placed on partnerships involving foreign artists active in ASEAN countries. The programme encourages international co-production as a way to create opportunities for artistic exchange and collaboration between Japanese and international practitioners. What Projects Are Eligible? The programme supports a broad range of performing arts genres.

Eligible projects can include:

- Theatre. - Dance. - Music. - Performance art. - Traditional performing arts. - Folk performing arts. - Video art. Projects should involve genuine international collaboration between the Japanese applicant and participating foreign artists. The collaborating foreign artists must have approved the project before the application is submitted. International Co-Production International co-production is a central element of the programme. Supported projects must involve collaboration between Japanese applicants and foreign artists and include the development and production process required to create and present the work. The co-production process must be completed within the programme’s eligible project period, including the premiere performances. Focus on ASEAN Artists Although the programme is open to international collaborations more broadly, particular emphasis is placed on projects involving foreign artists who are active in ASEAN countries. Japanese organizations and individuals developing collaborative projects with artists from ASEAN countries may therefore find the programme especially relevant to their international partnership plans. How Much Funding Is Available? The Japan Foundation provides support covering less than 70% of the total cost of planning and implementation. The maximum funding depends on the applicant category. Category A Category A is for organizations with legal status.

The maximum grant is:

JPY 10,000,000 per fiscal year, approximately USD 68,000. Category B Category B is for individuals or organizations without corporate legal status.

The maximum grant is:

JPY 5,000,000 per fiscal year, approximately USD 34,000. Applicants should note that the Japan Foundation’s contribution must remain below 70% of the total project cost. Project Period

Eligible projects must:

- Commence between June 1, 2027, and March 31, 2028. - Be completed by March 31, 2029. The completion requirement includes the international co-production process and the premiere performances. Applicants should therefore develop a realistic production schedule that allows sufficient time for collaboration, production, and presentation. Who Can Apply? Applicants must be organizations or individuals located in Japan.

Eligible applicants can include:

- Organizations with legal status. - Individuals. - Organizations without corporate legal status. The applicant must have a collaborative relationship with foreign artists participating in the project. Requirements for Foreign Collaborators Foreign artists involved in the proposed project must have approved the project. Applicants should therefore establish the international collaboration and obtain the participating artists’ agreement before submitting their application. This requirement helps demonstrate that the proposed project is based on a genuine international partnership rather than a purely planned or prospective collaboration. Projects Supported by Other Japanese Government Organizations Projects that are already supported by Japanese governmental organizations or their affiliated agencies are not eligible. Applicants should ensure that their proposed project does not receive support from an organization that falls within this exclusion. External Process Observer Successful applicants must agree to the acceptance of an external process observer. The observer is intended to be part of the project’s process and may monitor aspects of the international co-production and implementation. Applicants should therefore be prepared to accommodate this requirement as part of participating in the programme. Performance Video Production and Online Distribution Applicants must also agree to the production and online distribution of performance videos by the Japan Foundation. This means participating projects should be prepared for their performances to be recorded and for videos to be distributed online by the Japan Foundation. This requirement provides an additional opportunity for the resulting work to reach audiences beyond the physical performance setting. What Costs Can Be Supported? The grant contributes to eligible costs associated with planning and implementation of the international performing arts project. However, the Japan Foundation’s contribution must be less than 70% of the total project cost. Applicants should therefore prepare a complete project budget and identify the remaining porti