Fiscal Year 2026 – Phase 2 Grant for Artistic Cities (Japan)

Deadline: 24-Sep-2026

The Grant for Artistic City Tokyo provides financial support to organizations developing innovative arts and culture projects in Tokyo. The program supports public-facing initiatives across disciplines, with grants covering up to 50% of eligible project expenses and a maximum award of ¥20 million per project, plus additional support for digital development and creative environments. Grant for Artistic City Tokyo – Overview The Grant for Artistic City Tokyo is designed to strengthen Tokyo’s cultural appeal by supporting innovative artistic and creative projects that engage the public.

The program encourages projects that:

- Showcase the cultural and creative appeal of Tokyo - Revitalize local communities and regions - Develop new artistic ideas, formats, and expressions - Make effective use of local cultural resources - Promote inclusion across generations, nationalities, and abilities - Encourage sustainable cultural participation - Build collaboration among multiple organizations Supported projects can cover a broad range of artistic and cultural disciplines, including traditional and emerging forms. What Projects Does the Grant Support? The program supports public-facing arts and culture projects in Tokyo across multiple fields.

Eligible areas include:

- Music - Theatre - Dance - Fine arts - Photography - Literature - Media arts - Video and film - Manga - Anime - Games - Traditional performing arts - Lifestyle culture - Fashion - Architecture - Interdisciplinary and cross-sector artistic activities Projects may combine multiple artistic disciplines where the proposed concept demonstrates clear cultural value and public engagement. Grant Amount and Funding Support The Grant for Artistic City Tokyo can cover up to 50% of eligible project expenses.

The main funding limit is:

- Maximum grant: ¥20 million per project

- Maximum funding rate: 50% of eligible expenses

Additional support may also be available for specific project needs. Digital Development Support Applicants may request additional funding of up to ¥3 million for digital development. This support can help projects incorporate digital technologies or develop digital components that strengthen artistic presentation, public engagement, or accessibility. Creative Environment Support Additional support of up to ¥200,000 is available for creative environment improvements. Applicants may apply for digital development support and creative environment support separately or together, subject to the program requirements. Who Is Eligible? The grant is open to organizations based in Tokyo that meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

Eligible applicants include:

- Arts and cultural organizations - Private organizations - Executive committees - Other qualifying organizations with their headquarters or main offices in Tokyo Individuals cannot apply directly for this grant. Applicants should also be able to demonstrate the organizational capacity necessary to plan, finance, manage, and deliver the proposed project. Project Eligibility Requirements To qualify, projects must satisfy the program’s core requirements.

The proposed project must:

- Be held in Tokyo - Be open to the public - Involve multiple organizations as sponsors or co-sponsors - Demonstrate artistic or cultural value - Contribute to Tokyo’s cultural appeal or community development - Be implemented within the specified funding period

The eligible implementation period is:

December 16, 2026 to December 15, 2027. Projects should therefore ensure that their planning, budget, partnerships, and delivery schedule are aligned with this timeframe. Priority Areas Although the program supports diverse artistic activities, projects that demonstrate strong alignment with its cultural development objectives are particularly relevant. Promoting Tokyo’s Cultural Appeal Projects should ideally communicate what makes Tokyo distinctive as a cultural and creative city. This may involve highlighting local artistic traditions, contemporary culture, neighborhoods, creative communities, or unique cultural resources. Regional Revitalization Projects that contribute to local community development and regional revitalization are encouraged. Applicants can demonstrate this by showing how the project will involve local communities, artists, organizations, venues, or cultural resources. Innovation and New Expression The program supports innovative approaches to arts and culture.

Proposals may introduce:

- New artistic formats - Interdisciplinary collaborations - Digital experiences - New audience engagement methods - Experimental approaches - New interpretations of cultural resources Inclusion and Sustainability Projects that allow people from different generations, nationalities, and abilities to participate are encouraged. Applicants should explain how their project will create accessible and inclusive cultural experiences while considering sustainability. Why the Grant Matters The Grant for Artistic City Tokyo is intended to strengthen Tokyo’s position as a vibrant international cultural destination. Its importance extends beyond direct financial support because it encourages organizations to collaborate and create projects that connect artistic practice with communities.

The program can help organizations:

- Develop ambitious cultural projects - Reach new audiences - Strengthen partnerships - Experiment with new artistic approaches - Use digital technologies in creative work - Promote Tokyo’s cultural identity - Increase accessibility and participation - Contribute to local cultural and economic vitality How the Grant Works Organizations should structure their applications around a clearly defined public-facing project. A strong application should establish a direct connection between the project, its artistic concept, its Tokyo-based context, and the program’s cultural objectives.

Step 1: Confirm Applicant Eligibility

Check that the applying organization:

- Has its headquarters o