Tokyo Wonder Site Aoyama Creator-in-Residence





Contact Details	COSMOS Aoyama SOUTH 3F, 5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 Japan
	TEL	+ 81-3-5766-3732
	FAX	+ 81-3-5766-3742
	E-mail	contact@tokyo-ws.org
	URL	http://www.tokyo-ws.org/english/index.html
	Contact	Kayoko IEMURA

Administrative Organization

Tokyo Wonder Site

Administrative Body

Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture.
Supervising Division
Tokyo Wonder Site

Facility Name

Tokyo Wonder Site?@AOYAMA

Facility Address

COSMOS Aoyama SOUTH 3F, 5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0001

Facility Description

(1)	5 studios (36-40 sq. m. each; Internet access, air conditioning, water supply)
(2)	2 salons (49 sq. m & 66sq. m. each ; dining kitchen and living room for share)
(3)	16 bedrooms (8 single rooms: 25-29 sq. m. each; 4 wide-single rooms: 38 sq. m. each; 4 twin rooms: 65 sq. m. each; all rooms are equipped with Internet access, kitchenette, bathroom)
(4)	Library (73 sq. m., used also as lecture room)
(5)	Other facilities: office, laundry room

Access

The facility is located in Aoyama, one of the most exciting districts in Tokyo for fashion, culture, art, and design. In combination with the Tokyo Wonder Site Shibuya and Tokyo Wonder Site Hongo, the program offers broader opportunities for production and presentation, contributing to the exchange among creators.

By train: Get off at ?gOmote Sando?h station; walk 7 minutes from B2exit.

Or get off at ?gShibuya?h station; walk 8 minutes from East exit.

History

The first Tokyo Wonder Site was inaugurated in 2001 to provide a new platform for art in Tokyo. Working in sync with the Tokyo Wonder Wall, a juried exhibition program, it aims to extend support to young artists and create opportunities for exchange among artists.
A variety of programs have been carried out: exhibitions of internationally renowned artists; events introducing contemporary music; collaboration projects with traditional arts and crafts; artist residencies; and club nights with/ for artists and art fans.

In 2005, the second venue, Tokyo Wonder Site Shibuya opened to offer a hub for developing international network. In 2006, the third venue, Tokyo Wonder Site Aoyama Creator-in-Residence, opened to provide opportunities for production and exchange among artists.

Year of
Commencement

2006 (for Tokyo Wonder Site Aoyama Creator-in-Residence)

Program Objectives

(1)	Support the discovery, nurturing and promotion of young artists from Tokyo
(2)	Establish a platform in Tokyo to function as a hub for art in Asia and the world
(3)	Support the various forms of art and culture in Tokyo as vehicles of the city's vital energy
(4)	Function as a stage for experimentation and research, and for the conception and trial of strategic concepts in connection with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's cultural policy.
(5)	Foster human resources involved in culture-related work

Program Activities

(1)	Residence Program
1.	Project Residency: Residency for artists who are participating/performing in exhibitions and concerts. It is linked to the programs of TWS Hongo and Shibuya.
•	By-invitation project
•	Exchange project (in partnership with affiliated residency organizations to invite overseas artists to TWS and send Japanese artists overseas)
•	Emerging artists project
•	Open call project (recommendations and proposals required)
2.	Research Residency: Residency for artists conducting preliminary research for future exhibitions/ concerts or academic research.
3.	Event Program: Rental of studio facilities for non-serial programs such as cultural exchange events)
(2)	Emerging Artists Support Program/Visual Arts: Selected artists among the winners of the Tokyo Wonder Wall competition are provided with support for participating in exhibitions at TWS Hongo or Shibuya, and also overseas residency programs.
(3)	University affiliation program
(4)	Exhibition proposal competitions
(5)	Emerging Musician Support Program
(6)	Selected exhibitions of emerging artists from Japan and overseas
(7)	Affiliated projects to support emerging Japanese artists
(8)	Wonder Seeds (Juried exhibitions of small-sized pieces by emerging artists for sale)
(9)	Contemporary music workshops
(10)	Workshops and concerts of contemporary Japanese composers
(11)	International exchange project (Collaborative studio program, bilateral exchange program, etc)

Focus Area

Visual arts, dance, theater, music, architecture, design, etc. (from 2007)

Residency Period

Residence Program: maximum 3 months for a standard residency (from 2007)

Number of
Resident Artists

Residence Program: approximately 30 artists (7 Japanese, 25 non-Japanese)

Creator Exchange Program: scores of artists for short stay (for 2007)

Conditions

All residency participants should:

be creators engaged in the field of contemporary art (any genre is eligible)
take residencies?@creators only
be able to stay for more than 2/3 of the invited period; residency duration is maximum 3 months.
be in good health and not require assistance on day-to-day basis for working and living.
have a level of Japanese or English language proficiencies to carry out casual conversation
present the outcomes of their residence and complete their project during their term, including installation and de-installation of works at exhibitions
participate in public programs, such as presentations, lectures, and workshops.
submit a report following the designated format to Tokyo Wonder Site upon completion of the program.
follow the regulations of Tokyo Wonder Site regarding accommodation and studio.

The director may exercise a degree of discretion regarding these conditions for practical reasons.

Selection criteria:
Resident artists are selected among candidates who satisfy the conditions above, and match the following criteria. Successful candidates should:

be creators with a record of outstanding achievements and have prospect for further development.
maximize their residency experiences for future activities.
deepen understanding and exchange with fellow creators during their residency.
cooperate in publicity activities that promote the programs of Tokyo Wonder Site.
contribute to the development of artistic and cultural activities in Tokyo.

Provisions

The provisions vary according to the conditions of each program.

Application Procedure

1.	Resident artists are selected, based on the objectives of each program, by either:
•	Recommendation from public organizations, cultural institutions, and individuals in Japan and overseas; or
•	Nomination by Tokyo Wonder Site or open call.
2.	The selection committee is held for screening the candidates.

Selection Process

The final decision on selection of resident artists is made by the director of Tokyo Wonder Site upon consultation with the selection committee.

Achievements and
Outcomes

As of March 2007, 71 artists from 15 countries have been invited for residency and 2 artists have been sent abroad on exchange.
Since its inception in 2001, TWS has worked with 185 units of artists in exhibitions; 19 in music events; and 51 in lectures and talks. It has hosted a total of 185 exhibitions and other art/cultural events.

Outcomes

The program contributes to the development of various artistic and cultural activities by providing emerging creators with opportunities to stay and work in Tokyo for exhibitions, concerts, and workshops.
Resident artists are provided with opportunities to give lectures or talks to the public about their experience in Tokyo, their projects in their home countries, and their artworks.
Artist exchange program carried out in partnership with other organizations in Japan and overseas, enhances international exchange in the arts. It also helps developing the careers of winners of Tokyo Wonder Wall and artists working with TWS.