#Japan #Tokyo #Art Management #Tokyo Arts Council #Sydney Biennale

Tokyo Arts Council Announces Call for Program Participants

The Tokyo Arts Council, in collaboration with the Tokyo Historical and Cultural Foundation, has launched a program aimed at sending promising young art managers abroad. This initiative seeks to connect these budding professionals with artists, curators, and audiences worldwide, enhancing their experiences in the global art scene.

Overview of the Program

For the first dispatch in 2026, participants will have the opportunity to attend the 25th Sydney Biennale, Australia's largest international contemporary art exhibition, which will take place from March 14 to June 14, 2026. Renowned as one of the world’s premier contemporary art festivals, the Biennale showcases dynamic artworks from artists around the globe at various venues across Sydney. The Tokyo Arts Council is looking for young art managers eager to expand their international reach and network within the art community.

Objectives and Purpose

The program aims to facilitate networking opportunities with participating artists, curators, and art professionals from various countries at the closing of the Biennale. The dispatch period is scheduled for June 8 to June 15, 2026, allowing for a maximum stay of seven nights.

Activities During the Stay

Participants can expect to engage in various activities throughout their stay, including:

• - Attendance at international forums and networking events organized during the exhibition.
• - Visits to cultural facilities in Sydney.
• - Tours of artists’ studios, offering a behind-the-scenes look into their creative processes.

Who Can Apply?

The program targets emerging curators, directors, and art professionals engaged in visual arts. A total of approximately three participants will be dispatched.

Application Process

The application period begins on March 4, 2026, at 16:00, and ends on March 31, 2026, at 14:00. Interested candidates can submit their applications through the special website here.

About the Sydney Biennale

Since its inception in 1973, the Sydney Biennale has served as a vital platform for arts and thoughts, showcasing works from over 2,400 artists representing more than 130 countries and regions. The Biennale is recognized for commissioning and presenting innovative and thought-provoking works from Australia and around the world.

The theme for the 25th edition is “Rememory”, which embodies the act of reconstructing fragments of individual, familial, or collective pasts. This concept invites a revisit and reconstruction of repressed or erased histories, symbolizing the intersection of memory and history.

The exhibition focuses on the delicate space between memory and forgetfulness, prompting artists to bring forth marginalized narratives and unvoiced stories. The aim is to challenge audiences to reflect on how memory shapes identity, belonging, and the formation of new communities and connections.

For further details, please refer to the special website or view the press release (PDF).