ICC+S-AIR Exchange Program





Contact Details	NPO S-AIR Inter-cross Creative Center 4F #401 Toyohira-ku Toyohira 1-12, 1-12 , Sapporo, Hokkaido 062-0901Japan
	TEL	+81-11-820-6056
	FAX	+81-11-820-6057
	E MAIL	info@s-air.org
	URL	http://www.s-air.org/
Contact	Hisashi SHIBATA, Takashi HOMMA, Mami ODAI

Administrative
Organization

NPO S-AIR

Administrative Body
Facility Name

Sapporo Electronics and Industries Cultivation Foundation Sapporo Digital Creation Plaza, Inter-cross Creative Center
* Galleries in Sapporo are also used for the program.

Facility Address

Toyohira-ku Toyohira 1-12, 1-12, Sapporo City, 062-0901

Facility Description

In April 2001, Sapporo Artist-in-Residence (S-AIR) opened its office and studio in a former education research institute building, which was renovated by the city of Sapporo, and turned into a cultural incubation center, the Inter-cross Creative Center.
Other tenants in the building are young, creative entrepreneurs in various fields, including IT, design, and film production. Unit rooms are leased at low rate to the tenants.
The Center is located in the cultural and educational zone, with elementary school and nursery home in the vicinity.
2 apartment houses in the city are rented by S-AIR to provide accommodation to resident artists.

*Inter-cross Creative Center
Lot size: 3,379 sq. m.; floor space in total: 5,622 sq. m.
Number of floors: 4 floors above the ground and a basement
Facilities: 20 unit rooms for lease(12.6-143 sq. m. per unit), meeting rooms, cafeteria, equipment for common use (photocopiers, printers, etc.), Internet access
Structure: ferroconcrete building (constructed in 1983, partially extended in 1990)

Property owner (land and building): Economic Affairs Bureau, City of Sapporo
Building manager and operator: Sapporo Electronics Center
Unit room lease owner: Sapporo Electronics Center

Access

By train: Get off at “Sapporo” station and take a taxi (15 minutes)
By subway: Take the Tozai subway line and get off at “Higashi Sapporo”station; walk for 10-minutes

By bus: Take Chuo Bus and get off at “Toyohira 3-jo 12-chome” bus stop

History

S-AIR was inaugurated in 1999, with the artist-in-residence grant provided by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The grant supported the first five years of the program until 2003.

In 2004, the program was renewed to its current ICC + S-AIR Exchange Program, with the support and cooperation from the Sapporo Electronics and Industries Cultivation Foundation and Inter-cross Creative Center.

Year of (Program)
Commencement

1999

Program Objectives

S-AIR aims to foster unique arts and culture at international level, by inviting leading artists/ creators of contemporary visual expression, and promoting exchange with local artists/ creators and community in general.

Program Activities

The program supports resident artists’ research, production and workshops. The outcome of their residency is presented at exhibitions.

(1)	Artist-in-residence program and open studio: Resident artists are provided with studios in the Inter-cross Creative Center for their activities. Open studio and lectures are held during the artists’ residency to inform the public about their activities.
(2)	Symposia to provide opportunities for artists and local citizens to discuss and exchange ideas.
(3)	Workshops for local schools and citizens.
(4)	Exhibition to present the outcomes of the artists’ residency.

Focus Area(s)

Contemporary visual expression by artists/ creators active in the fields of visual arts and media in general.

Residency Period

The period varies each year. Generally from minimum 2 months to maximum 3 months.

Number of Resident
Artists

4 - 5 artists from Europe and Asia, including Japan

Conditions

have English language skills sufficient for daily conversation
motivated to exchange with the local community through workshops and lectures

Provisions

(1)	Traveling expense: Available
(2)	Financial support (grant): Available
(3)	Studio/activity space: Available (studio in the Center or gallery in the city)
(4)	Accommodation: Available (2 single studio apartment houses in the city )
(5)	Professional and staff support: Available
(6)	Opportunities for presentations/exhibitions: Available (studio in the Center or gallery in the city)
(7)	Publication and distribution of activity report: Available

Application Procedure

Application information is announced through direct mail and website, based on research by NPO S-AIR.

Selection Process

Selection committee

Achievements and
Outcomes

In the 8 years from 1999 to 2006, S-AIR has invited 51 artists from 21 countries.
During this time, it has worked on establishing its network with art centers and artists abroad.

Besides its partnership and activities with Inter-cross Creative Center, NPO S-AIR also works with other institutions to organize AIR-related projects, such as “Art Akebono 04-05” and “Artist-in-School 03-06.”