NCAR Opens Applications for 2026 Term II Support Program for Japanese Artists at International Biennales

The National Center for Art Research, Japan (NCAR), directed by Tanaka Masayuki, has announced an open call for the fiscal year 2026 term II of its 'Japanese Artists Abroad—Support Program for International Biennales.' Applications will be accepted from June 15 to July 31, 2026, with a deadline of 11:59pm JST. The program aims to enhance the international visibility of Japanese contemporary art by providing financial support to organizers of international art exhibitions (biennales, triennales, etc.) held outside Japan that include Japanese artists. Support is capped at 3.5 million yen per artist and 7 million yen per exhibition if multiple Japanese artists participate. Eligible exhibitions must commence between October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2027, and must have a stable institutional history or reliable administrative structure. Japanese artists include naturalized and deceased individuals regardless of nationality or location. For term I of FY2026, NCAR selected the Gwangju Biennale (South Korea) and Ars Electronica (Austria). Results for term II will be announced by September 30, 2026.