Curator Residency Program 2027 at the Mori Contemporary Art Foundation

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Residency period: April 2027–March 2028
Duration: One to three months, up to 90 days
Number of residents: Three to four
Accommodation: Private serviced apartment with breakfast included
Travel: Return economy airfare to Tokyo provided
Research expenses: Up to JPY 200,000, including tax
Application deadline: 31 October 2026, 18:00 JST
Results announced: December 2026; published publicly in January 2027

The Mori Contemporary Art Foundation is accepting applications for its 2027 Curator Residency Program, supporting curators based outside Japan who are interested in Japanese contemporary art.

The programme enables selected curators to conduct research and connect with artists, researchers, museums, exhibitions, festivals, galleries and alternative spaces across Japan.

MoriCAF provides financial and organisational support for each Fellow’s research. Before completing the residency, participants must present their findings and submit a written report.

About the Residency

The programme seeks to contribute to the international dissemination of Japanese contemporary art by creating opportunities for exchange between Japan’s cultural sector and experienced international curators.

Research directly connected to a specific future exhibition or project will be prioritised over general exploratory research.

Applicants may indicate up to two preferred residency periods between April 2027 and March 2028. Exact dates and duration will be agreed with the selected participants.

Residents must stay continuously in the accommodation provided by MoriCAF and live and work independently throughout the programme.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Reside outside Japan;
• Have at least five years of curatorial experience in contemporary art;
• Be fluent in English or Japanese;
• Be able to live and work independently;
• Undertake a residency lasting between one and three months;
• Stay continuously in the accommodation provided by MoriCAF;
• Participate actively in publicity relating to the programme;
• Refrain from commercial activities during the residency; and
• Obtain appropriate travel and medical insurance before departure.

There are no restrictions relating to age or nationality.

Applications proposing a stay of less than one month are not eligible.

What Is Provided

Each resident will receive:

• A furnished, one-bedroom serviced apartment within Tokyo’s 23 wards;
• Breakfast;
• Kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities;
• Wi-Fi and other essential household amenities;
• Return economy airfare from the airport nearest their home to either Narita or Haneda Airport;
• Up to JPY 200,000 towards approved research expenses, including domestic transport and accommodation; and
• Assistance coordinating their research project.

Participants must submit an itemised report of research expenditure. Any unspent funds may need to be returned.

The programme does not cover travel or medical insurance, visa fees or travel-related expenses beyond the return airfare specified above. MoriCAF can provide supporting documentation for visa applications where required.

Residency Outcomes

Before completing the programme, participants must:

• Present the results of their research; and
• Submit a written report to MoriCAF.

The format of the presentation will be agreed with the Foundation following selection.

Application Requirements

Applicants must provide:

• A completed English-language application form;
• A description of their proposed research project in Japan of no more than 500 words;
• A portfolio containing active links to previous curatorial projects;
• A curriculum vitae in PDF format;
• One signed letter of recommendation in English; and
• Contact details for two professional referees.

Some applicants may be invited to an online interview before the final decision.

Selection

Applications will be reviewed by an international jury in November 2026. Applicants will be notified individually of the results in December, with the selected residents announced publicly in January 2027.

The 2027 jury comprises:

• Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrath, Co-Directors of Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart;
• Christophe Cherix, Director of the Museum of Modern Art;
• Laurent Le Bon, President of the Centre Pompidou;
• Suhanya Raffel, Museum Director of M+;
• Eugene Tan, Director of National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum; and
• Kataoka Mami, Director of Mori Art Museum and Chair of the jury.

About MoriCAF

The Mori Contemporary Art Foundation supports contemporary artistic and curatorial practice while encouraging international engagement with Japanese contemporary art.

Through its residency programme, MoriCAF enables international curators to undertake focused research, develop professional relationships and exchange knowledge with Japan’s artistic and institutional communities.