Tokyo Biennale 2027 "Social Dive" – Open Call for Artists / Curators

Organizer

Tokyo Biennale 2027

OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS / CURATORS! TOKYO BIENNANE 2027 “SOCIAL DIVE” To dive into Tokyo(the city) and engage deeply with society(people). Deadline: 30 Sep 2026 Country: Japan Art Project Creating Ten Sites for Cross-Border Encounters and Dialogue “Social Dive” is an art project in which artists immerse themselves in various neighborhoods across Tokyo to discover both the unique traditions held by local residents and the new values emerging there. For Tokyo Biennale 2027, we are undertaking the co-creation of spaces for cross-border encounters and dialogue, addressing the theme: “From ‘Me’ to ‘Us’.” To solicit proposals from around the world for this initiative, we are launching the Social Dive Open Call. The designated project sites encompass ten diverse locations that shape the character of Tokyo: a historic temple in the city center, a cutting-edge business district, a traditional neighborhood alley, a rare surviving small-scale wooden building, a bustling train station, and an entertainment venue. These are locations where the Tokyo Biennale has previously engaged in projects. Realizing art projects in such settings inevitably involves navigating various regulations, rules, technical requirements, and budgetary constraints. We invite proposals from artists and curators who are ready to overcome these challenges alongside us and bring these projects to fruition. The theme of Tokyo Biennale 2027: “From ‘Me’ to ‘Us’.” Today, the world is in an age of conflict and division. To avoid repeating the memories of war, violence, and exclusion, we must reexamine the wisdom and cultural resources that have been passed down across generations. Tokyo is a city that carries the memories of neighborhoods dating back to the Edo period. It has twice suffered great loss — through the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Second World War — and each time it was rebuilt through the strength of its citizens. At the same time, Tokyo is an international city where diverse people from around the world gather, and where different languages, memories, beliefs, wounds, and hopes intersect. Kenzaburō Ōe wrote: “I cannot live my life over again. But we can live our lives over again.”* One single “me” may not be able to build the future, or overcome the anxieties and divisions of the world. Yet when “me” encounters others and reconnects relationships, a new consciousness of “us” begins to emerge. It is there that the possibility of living anew can be found. Art projects engage with society as a form of cultural prescription, reconnecting people with people, people with places, and people with memories. When individual creativity and the creativity accumulated within the city resonate across time, a new creativity of “us” is born. Tokyo Biennale 2027 will open up the foundational cultures that lie within Tokyo, passing memories of the past on to the future, and becoming a place of practice for living anew not as “me,” but as “us,” in an age of division. Masato Nakamura General Producer, Tokyo Biennale 2027 Duration of residency The duration of the residency will be determined according to the artist’s preference. Accommodation Accommodation in Tokyo Disciplines, work equipment and assistance Application Guidelines Eligibility： Open to artists, curators, researchers, collectives, and practitioners in related fields active both in Japan and abroad. Applications are accepted for both artwork production by artists and art project proposals by curators. Applications may be submitted by individuals or groups. Groups must designate a single representative. Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of application. There are no restrictions regarding nationality, place of residence, or base of operations. Applicants must be able to participate in research, residency-based production, collaboration with relevant parties, and the presentation of outcomes in Tokyo. Eligible Art Projects： We are inviting proposals for art projects or artist-in-residence production plans for the 11 designated locations. Eligible projects are not merely exhibitions of existing works but must be developed through research, residency-based production, and engagement with people in Tokyo. A wide range of formats is accepted, including artwork creation, exhibitions, performances, video works, tours, workshops, participatory projects, research projects, and curatorial projects. Proposed art projects must be capable of being presented or exhibited in some form during the Tokyo Biennale 2027. Each applicant may submit only one project proposal. Relevance to the theme "From 'Me' to 'Us'"： The art project must respond to the Tokyo Biennale 2027 theme, "From 'Me' to 'Us'." It must take individual experiences, memories, bodies, perspectives, and inquiries as its starting point while opening itself up to others, local areas, society, the city, and communities. Rather than stopping at the expression of the individual "Me," the proposal must re-examine the nature of "Us"—including relationships and the public sphere—through dialogue, collaboration, empathy, friction, and coexistence. It must not treat the city of Tokyo merely as a venue for presentation but must engage with the people living there, as well as local history, culture, daily life, and social issues. The proposal must demonstrate originality, social relevance, an experimental spirit, and feasibility.Studio / Workspace About the Project Sites： The art project encompasses eleven sites, ranging from shrines, temples, and halls to business districts, back alleys, old wooden buildings, and entertainment spaces. Shrines, Temples, and Halls (Religious Facilities): ① Toeizan Kaneiji Temple, ② Yushima Seido Removed from the daily hustle and bustle, these sacred spaces have long served as places where people confront their inner selves—their personal reflections and prayers. At the same time, they are spaces where diverse people gather and offer repeated prayers, thereby shaping a sense of "us"—a community or society. In an era of increasing digitalization and individualization, this project seeks to use the power of art to rebuild the "deep connections with others" that are gradually being lost. Through the dialogue between artistic expression and visitors, we aim to gently dissolve the boundaries of the individual self and build a bridge toward a future where we live together. Business Districts: ③ Otemachi/Marunouchi/Yurakucho, ④ Kyobashi Business districts are lined with skyscrapers and defined by schedules that tick by minute-by-minute. While these are places where individuals can maximize their personal capabilities, they can also foster psychological distance between people. To help business professionals break free from a state of "isolated individuality" and regain a sense of belonging as members who shape the city together, this project uses art to create "moments to pause and intersect with others" amidst daily routines, transforming functional urban spaces into stages for warm empathy. Back Alleys: ⑤ Nihonbashi, ⑥ Yaesu Back alleys act like the capillaries of the city. Unlike the main thoroughfares—which serve as the functional "public stage"—these alleys retain a deeply personal atmosphere, imbued with the character of old buildings, outdoor AC units, and residents' potted plants. We seek art projects set in back alleys—spaces that foster human connection through their intimate scale and "hideaway" atmosphere—where chance visitors and long-time locals can cultivate a deep sense of shared empathy. Old Wooden Architecture: ⑦ Kanda These wooden structures stand quietly in the city center, having witnessed repeated earthquakes, wartime destruction, and rapid urban development. Their scarred pillars, soot-stained ceilings, and creaking floorboards are imbued with the lives and stories of the countless individuals who once inhabited them. We seek art projects that reimagine these buildings not merely as "relics of the past," but as "living media" that intersect with the memories of those living today. Station Space: ⑧ UENO Station Since opening in 1883, Ueno Station has served as the “Gateway to Tohoku,” connecting Tokyo with northeastern Japan and witnessing generations of departures and homecomings. The present station building was completed in 1932 following the Great Kanto Earthquake. It is distinguished by its imposing, symmetrical façade and spacious concourse with a high, open atrium. Shinkansen trains, conventional railways, and subway lines intersect across a multilayered spatial structure of ground-level, underground, and elevated spaces, bringing together diverse people, cultures, and memories. New art initiatives are also being developed to transform JR Ueno Station into a “Hub for Cultural Creation.” Entertainment Space: ⑨ Tokyo Dome City Tokyo Dome City is a rarity on the global stage—a massive entertainment complex located right in the heart of the city. It is an energetic district where concerts, sporting events, and attractions allow people to encounter the things they love and experience genuine excitement. We seek art projects that harness the myriad forms of "individual energy" found here and channel them into a collective force—evolving the area into a larger community ("us"). Shopping district: ⑩ Akihabara Electric Town Akihabara Electric Town developed from a postwar market for radio components, evolving over time into a center for home appliances, electronic parts, computers, games, anime, and idol culture. Large and small shops, multi-tenant buildings, narrow alleyways, elevated railway tracks, signs, and advertisements overlap to form a complex and chaotic urban landscape, where highly specialized commerce coexists with diverse communities. Internationally recognized as “AKIBA,” it attracts visitors from Japan and around the world as a global mecca for otaku culture. It is a district with a distinctive urban culture in which the real and virtual worlds of technology, desire and expression intersect. Wholesale District: ⑪ Bakurocho/Higashi-Kanda Bakurocho and Higashi-Kanda—the new hubs for the Tokyo Biennale—are located in the eastern part of central Tokyo, straddling the Nihonbashi district of Chuo Ward and the Kanda district of Chiyoda Ward. During the Edo period, the area flourished as a nexus where inns, commerce, and the flow of people and goods converged, driven by the bustle near Ryogoku Bridge and the traffic along major highways. In the modern era, it solidified its character as a wholesale district, accumulating a rich history of commerce and lifestyle culture. Bakuro Curart inherits this legacy of trade and culture, generating new activities and encouraging visitors to explore the area as art, craft, community, and learning resonate with one another.Fees and support Support Offered： -Round-trip Travel expenses (Up to 300,000JPY including tax based on efficient and reasonable economy class tickets between Tokyo and your country.) (Maximum 1 person) -Coordination of venue for the art program -Support fee for project development (with a budget limit of 200,000JPY including tax) -Honorarium 100,000JPY, including tax -Interpretation and translation support -Issue of Invitation Letter Expectations towards the artist Conditions regarding the residency, production, and on-site activities： Applicants must be able to carry out residency-based production, research, meetings, preparations, and implementation in Tokyo during the designated period. They must be able to conduct on-site surveys, engage in dialogue with stakeholders, hold workshops, and carry out trial activities during the preparatory period prior to the event. They must be able to proceed with the art project—including its content, location, production methods, and schedule—in consultation with the Tokyo Biennale Secretariat and the “SOCIAL DIVE” team. They must understand that the project location and presentation format will be determined through coordination with the Secretariat following selection. They must be able to respond flexibly to changes in project content, adjustments to implementation methods, and requirements related to venue conditions. Conditions regarding collaboration with the local community and society： The ability to engage in dialogue and collaboration—as necessary—with Tokyo’s local communities, residents, businesses, cultural facilities, educational institutions, government bodies, researchers, urban development groups, and others. Prioritizing reciprocal and ethical relationships rather than unilaterally exploiting the region or community. Ensuring the art project is sensitive to the local history, culture, living environment, and social context. When utilizing public spaces, local facilities, commercial venues, historical buildings, or underutilized spaces, the plan must address safety, feasibility, accessibility, and consideration for the neighborhood. Giving due regard to the dignity, privacy, image rights, and personal information of participants and collaborators. Carefully addressing relationships with others and the nature of collaboration throughout the process of opening individual expression to society. Conditions regarding presentation of outcomes and documentation： Applicants must be able to publicly present or exhibit the art project or its outcomes during the Tokyo Biennale 2027. There are no restrictions on the format of the presentation; examples include exhibitions, events, workshops, tours, performances, talks, film screenings, online releases, or documentation displays. Applicants must be able to document the process of residency-based creation or research using media such as photography, video, audio, and text. They must be willing to make the process and outcomes publicly available as documentation, either during or after the event period, as necessary. Cooperation with Tokyo Biennale 2027’s public relations, documentation, archiving, and report production is required. Emphasis should be placed not only on the project’s final outcomes but also on the process of fostering relationships with others and the local community. Application information Submission Materials： *All documents will only be accepted in English or Japanese Please submit the following information and materials when applying. Artist profile photo (up to 1 MB) A personal statement (up to 150 words) Two key visuals (up to 10 MB each) Project summary (up to 150 words) Purpose and background of the art project (up to 150 words) Relationship to the theme “From ‘Me’ to ‘Us'” (up to 150 words) Details of the project (up to 400 words) Budget (up to 400 words) Schedule (up to 150 words) Artist biography, CV, or Portfolio (up to 5 pages/ A4 size/ vertical/ up to 5 MB) Website URL, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube Video or other reference URL For group applications, please submit profiles of the representative. The application content must be prepared by the applicants themselves, who bear full responsibility for it. Conditions Regarding Selection Methods and Results： -The selection process consists of two stages: a preliminary screening and a final selection. -The preliminary screening evaluates applicants based on submitted application documents, portfolios, art project outlines, residency production plans, and other materials. -Applicants who pass the preliminary screening may be asked to submit additional materials or participate in online or in-person interviews and presentations, as necessary. -The final selection determines which proposals that passed the preliminary screening will be adopted as art projects for Tokyo Biennale 2027 “SOCIAL DIVE.” -Evaluations will comprehensively assess responsiveness to the 2027 theme “From ‘Me’ to ‘Us’,” originality, social relevance, connection to Tokyo, potential for collaboration with local areas and communities, and feasibility of execution as a residency-based project. -The number of selected projects, support details, residency duration, implementation location, and presentation format will be determined based on the selection results and consultation with the secretariat. -Applicants will be notified of the selection results individually; selected projects and participants may be announced on the official website, in publicity materials, and through other media. -Proposals that pass the preliminary screening may be made public—even if not selected in the final round—via the official website, exhibitions, events, record booklets, archives, and other channels. -By applying, applicants agree to the possibility that their proposals (after passing the preliminary screening) may be made public, regardless of whether they are ultimately selected. -Information to be made public includes the applicant’s name or group name, country/region, art project title, project summary, profile, and selected submitted images. -Copyright for the proposals remains with the applicant; however, Tokyo Biennale 2027 “SOCIAL DIVE” reserves the right to use parts of the submitted content for purposes such as screening, publicity, documentation, and archiving. -As a general rule, no individual inquiries regarding selection results or the selection process will be answered. Rights, Safety Management, and Post-Selection Responsibilities： -The proposed art project must be the applicant’s own original work. -Applicants are responsible for obtaining necessary permissions and handling rights regarding copyrights, intellectual property rights, portrait rights, personal information, and the use of third-party materials. -Proposals primarily intended for political, religious, or commercial promotion are ineligible. -Proposals that violate public order and morals, or that unfairly disparage specific individuals, organizations, or regions, are ineligible. -Following selection, the applicant must share details such as production costs, schedules, installation and removal methods, operational structures, and publicity materials with the Secretariat, and cooperate toward the project’s implementation. -Final decisions regarding selection, the scope of support, residency duration, implementation sites, and presentation formats will be determined through consultation with the Secretariat following the selection process. -As a general rule, no responses will be provided regarding selection results or the selection process. Please prepare the required documents as specified in the application guidelines and submit your application using the following form(*To submit this application form, you will need a Google account.)：

Award

travel support, project development budget, honorarium, interpretation and invitation letter

Eligibility

Eligible countries: No country restriction

must be able to conduct residency-based production and presentation on-site in Tokyo