Applications Open for the MoriCAF Curator Residency Program 2027

The Mori Contemporary Art Foundation (MoriCAF) is pleased to announce the open call for the Curator Residency Program 2027, inviting applications from curators residing outside Japan with links to Japanese contemporary art.

The program enables distinguished curators based outside Japan to undertake research on artists and contemporary art in Japan, along with providing opportunities to visit museums and galleries and engage with artists and other art professionals across the country. Through research and exchange, the program aims to deepen understanding of Japanese contemporary art, foster international networks, and encourage new exhibitions, research, and collaborations, and so contribute to the further international dissemination of Japanese contemporary art.

A distinctive feature of the program is its International Jury, comprising directors of museums from around the world. The 2027 Jury includes several new members, bringing together diverse expertise and international perspectives during the selection process.

Since February 2026, participants selected for the inaugural Curator Residency Program have been arriving in Japan on a rolling basis, conducting studio visits with artists and undertaking research at museums and galleries across the country, as well as engaging with artists and other art professionals. In January 2027, another selected curator, Maria Brewinska, formerly of Zachęta – National Gallery of Art in Warsaw, Poland, is scheduled to travel to Japan. Through these activities, the program is steadily fostering new networks and serving as an opportunity for international cultural exchange among art professionals in Japan and abroad.

With the opening of applications for the 2027 Curator Residency Program, MoriCAF continues to facilitate exchange between art professionals in Japan and abroad, contributing to the further international dissemination and development of Japanese contemporary art.

The International Jury responsible for selecting participants for the program comprises directors of museums shaping contemporary art scenes around the world.

In alphabetical order by surname, except for the Chair.

　

Application Information

Eligibility
Curators residing outside Japan with at least five years of professional experience in the field of contemporary art curation. There are no restrictions on age or nationality.

Number of Residents
3–4

Residency Period
1–3 months (max. 90 days) between April 2027 and March 2028

Application Materials & Further Information
For detailed eligibility requirements, application materials, and other information, please visit the MoriCAF Web site.

Application Deadline
October 31, 2026, 6:00 p.m. (Japan Standard Time)

Contact
Mori Contemporary Art Foundation Curator Residency Program:
Kuroiwa Tomoko, Miyahara Yoko
E-mail: residence@moricaf.jp