JOSHIBI AIR is a program that welcomes artists and creatives from both Japan and overseas to Joshibi University of Art and Design, supporting activities that lead to new creative avenues and research through the university's campus environment and interactions with faculty and students.
In 1900, when higher education institutions were not accessible to women in the field of art, Joshibi University of Art and Design was founded as a school that provides art education with the aims of “empowering the self-reliance of women through the arts,” “improving the social status of women,” and “producing women teachers in the arts.” Through over 120 years of history since its foundation, the school has produced talented individuals in the fields of art, design, and education.
The JOSHIBI AIR Invitation Program supports the research and creative activities of women artists during their residency. In addition, by fostering interactions between the resident artists and students, faculty, and staff, the program aims to deepen students' understanding of AIR, offer them opportunities to experience diverse forms of expression, and invigorate their education toward the development of international careers.
For the 2026 academic year, we will invite two artists to conduct research and engage in production during the same period, one of whom will be selected from among Joshibi alumni, and the other from among graduates of our partner institutions and networks overseas (see Application Guidelines page 9, Appendix 1).
Additionally, the program for overseas artists will be conducted in collaboration with the Concentration in Printmaking in the Department of Fine Art at Joshibi.
【Message from Printmaking, Department of Fine Arts】
We welcome artists working in the print medium with original ideas and techniques!
When people hear the term “Printmaking” in Japan, many may think of ukiyo-e. However, today the field encompasses a wide range of expressive forms and techniques, from traditional methods to contemporary practices that expand the very concept of “print.”
The Printmaking course at Joshibi features multiple workshops, including those for etching, collagraphy, monotype, lithography, woodblock printing, and silkscreen. “Print” is not limited to paper but can also be achieved using a variety of materials such as fabric, wood, acrylic, and stone. It is also possible to make your own paper by hand and create works starting from the support itself.
Multilayered expressions emerge through the interplay between the “print,” materials, ink, and the artist’s physical actions and traces. Through production and research, we look forward to seeing new possibilities for the print medium emerge through this program.
【Key Features of JOSHIBI AIR】
- Centered on creation and research that draws on the unique identity of an “art university for women.”
- Utilizes the university’s expertise through collaboration with various majors and fields of research, the Joshibi Art Museum, and Historical Archive.
- Provides opportunities for interaction with students, faculty staff, and community members, while sharing the creative processes and outcomes of activities to a wide audience.
Schedule
・ Program Schedule: September 7 (Mon) - December 5 (Sat), 2026 (90 days)
・ Application period: March 30 (Mon) - May 2 (Sat), 2026 *Deadline: May 2, 11:59 p.m. (JST)
・ First selection (documents): Mid-May 2026
*Results will be communicated to all participants of the first selection.
・ Second selection (online Interviews): Mid to late May
Announcement of Selected Artist: May 31 (Sun), 2026
*Results will be communicated to all participants of the second selection.
Individual inquiries regarding the selection process or results will not be accepted.
・ Period of Open Studio (TBD): November 25 (Wed) - 28 (Sat), 2026
Number of Participants
1 Artist (or group)
Application Requirements
・ The applicant should be a woman artist who is a graduate from one of our partner institutions (see Application Guidelines page 9, Appendix 1)
・ The applicant should have been working as an artist for approximately fifteen years or less and should currently be active within the field of contemporary art.
・ Applicants should focus on the “print medium” in their artistic practice and be able to adhere to the rules of the Printmaking course when using the Printmaking workshops.
・ The applicant should understand the purpose of the program and be able to stay for the entire invitation period.
・ The applicant should be in good health and be capable of living and engaging in creative activities independently.
・ The applicant should be able to communicate in English or Japanese and actively engage with artists during the same period of stay, students, faculty, staff, and local community members.
・ The applicant should be able to conduct at least one class, lecture, or workshop at both the Sagamihara and Suginami campuses during the invitation period (the content will be determined through consultation with the artist after selection has been confirmed).
・ The applicant is expected to present the results of her activities in an open studio. (Scheduled period(TBD): November 25 (Wed) to 28 (Sat)).
In addition, the artist is expected to take responsibility for the installation and removal of works for the open studio. (The details will be determined through consultation with the artist after selection has been confirmed.)
・ The applicant is expected to cooperate with Joshibi in documenting and publicizing the works and activities during the production period through photographs and videos.
Program Provisions
・ Grant for Production Expenses
- 100,000yen will be provided as a subsidy for production assistance, which covers research, materials, exhibition installation, etc.
- A daily allowance of 3,000 yen/day will be provided to cover living and miscellaneous production expenses.
(maximum 3,000 yen × 90 days = 270,000 yen)
・ Transportation Fee
- Airfare: Joshibi will pay for one round trip from the international airport nearest the artist’s place of residence to Haneda or Narita Airport. Airfare should be economy class.
- Travel expenses in Japan: A flat-rate grant of 50,000 yen will be provided to subsidize transportation costs for travel within Japan (for production-related research and travel between the university campuses).
* The above amount will be paid after deducting income tax (20.42%)
・ Apartment (20-30 minutes by bus from Joshibi University Art and Design)
Joshibi will provide an off-campus apartment (for single adults) for the duration of the stay. (Includes a kitchen, toilet, bathroom, bed, desk, chair, refrigerator, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, dishes, towels, bed sheets, and other necessary items)
・ Shared Studio (on Sagamihara Campus)
- The artist will be required to share the studio with the graduate artist of Joshibi during the residency period.
(20-30 minutes by bus from Sagami-Ono Station on the Odakyu Line)
- Generally, the studio is available for use Monday to Saturday from 9:20 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
*Please note that use of the studio is unavailable on days when access is restricted due to entrance exams or other events. (If you wish to use the studio on Sundays or extend your usage hours, please consult with us in advance.)
*Please follow the studio usage rules that will be distributed at the start of the program.
- The studio contains movable walls, tables, chairs, sofa, and a kitchen area.
・ Available Facilities Other than Shared Studio
- Historical Archive, Joshibi Art Museum, Library, Drawing center, and other facilities.
- The following workshops.
【Note on the Use of All Workshops】
- Please be aware that there are various rules and regulations regarding the use of workshops, which may be hazardous. Use of the workshops must be explained to the artist in advance and is limited to the allotted time.
- The workshops are generally open Monday to Friday from 9:20 a.m. to 6:10 p.m. Please coordinate your schedule around class times when using the facilities. For use at other times, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, please contact us to discuss availability.
- You are welcome to use the equipment and shared supplies in each workshop, but please purchase your own specialty inks, printing paper and other such expendable materials as required for your projects. We can assist you with information on where to purchase these items
【Copperplate Engraving, Collagraphy, and Monotype Workshop】
We offer a variety of creative possibilities using etching presses.
- Available equipment and solvents: Etching press, metal cutting machine, aquatint box, etching solution
- Please purchase your own copper plates, etching ink, printing paper, and other such expendable materials.
(Printmaking staff will provide instructions on how to purchase these items.)
【Lithography Workshop】
You can produce lithographs using aluminum plates. Stone plates are not accepted.
- Available equipment: Lithography press
- Please purchase your own white and transparent ink, printing paper, matte film, and other such expendable materials.
【Woodblock Printing Workshop】
You can experience and learn traditional water-based woodblock printing.
- Available equipment and supplies: Woodblock printing press, barens, carving tools
- Both water-based and oil-based media can be used.
- Please purchase your own printing blocks (plywood), watercolor paints, printing paper, and other such expendable materials.
【Silkscreen Workshop】
You can create silkscreen prints using the exposure unit.
- Available equipment: Exposure unit, screen dryer, printing table
- Please purchase your own white and transparent ink, printing paper, and other such expendable materials.
【Papermaking workshop】Create paper for use as a support, as well as 3D paper artworks.
- Available equipment and supplies: Naginata beater, Hollander beater, frames, papermaking press
- Please purchase your own paper pulp and other such expendable materials.
* Please see the link here for photos of each workshop.
・ Support by Staff
The JOSHIBI AIR Team will be available for consultation regarding research and production.
Note
・ The artist is responsible for providing her own supplies for production and research.
・ A separate memorandum will be exchanged at the start of the program between the two parties after mutual consultation regarding the disclosure of information about and documentation of activities and equipment in the Japanese Painting workshops, as well as the ownership of copyrights for the works.
・ Applications from artist groups are also possible. However, in such cases, the grant for production expenses, daily allowance, and transportation fee will be provided for one person only. In addition, since the accommodation is a rented apartment for individuals, additional accommodation fees and other conditions will apply. Please consult with us in advance.
・ The artist is responsible for cleaning the studio. The studio must be returned to its original condition upon completion of production activities during the program.
・ Production expenses, daily allowance, transportation fee, etc. will be paid in cash in Japanese yen in two installments, once in the first half of the program period and once in the second half.
・ The cost of transportation of goods is the sole responsibility of the artist.
・ A questionnaire must be submitted at the end of the program.
・ The artist is invited to contribute to the program's archive of activities.
・ The artist is responsible for any accidents, illnesses, or other unforeseen circumstances that may occur during her stay. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance.
How to Apply
Please send the following two documents to the e-mail address below, making sure they arrive no later than May 2 (Sat) at 11:59 p.m. (JST).
JOSHIBI AIR Office: joshibi-air (at) venus.joshibi.jp
Include “JOSHIBI AIR 2026 Application_Name” in the subject line
1) Application form
2) Digital Portfolio of Artworks (no more than 20 pages in PDF format, 10 MB or less)
Please download the application documents here.
- JOSHIBI AIR 2026 Application Guidelines (PDF)
- JOSHIBI AIR 2026 Application Form (PDF)
- JOSHIBI AIR 2026 Application Form (Word)
*You will be notified by e-mail when your application has been received. If you do not receive a notification within five days, please contact the JOSHIBI AIR office.
* Amendments to or replacements of the application form or digital portfolio will not be accepted after the application has been submitted.
*The materials submitted by the artist selected for this program should be available for the organizer to use for publicity and advertising purposes in advance of the program.
Application Fee
Free
Selection Procedure
The committee will make an initial selection based on the submitted materials. Those who pass the first selection will be invited to an online interview, after which a final decision will be made. Applicants will be notified of the results via e-mail by May 31, 2026 (Sun).
Use of Personal Information
The personal information provided will be used solely for communication related to this application. The applicant’s personal information will not be used without consent for any purpose other than legitimate ones.
Inquiries
JOSHIBI AIR Office: joshibi-air[at]venus.joshibi.jp
FAQ
Q1. Is it possible to bring my partner or children?
A1: Yes, it is possible. However, please consult with us in advance as there will be additional conditions, such as having to pay for additional accommodation since the apartment will be rented for a single person. Round-trip airfare and domestic transportation subsidy will be provided for one person. Please also consult with us in advance regarding access to the shared studio and workshop.
Q2. What should I write as “Ideas for educational programs”?
A2. We expect you to give lectures in classes, plan workshops for students and local residents, and propose works involving student participation, but please feel free to write ideas for programs that can be implemented both inside and outside the university. We may also propose a program. The final decision on the content of the program will be made through mutual consultation between the two parties.
Q3. What level of technical skill is required at each printmaking workshop?
A3. No prior technical skill is needed, but you will be required to attend a briefing before using the equipment.
Q4. Can I learn all the techniques?
A4. In this program, we expect you to focus on developing your own unique style of expression using the “print medium” rather than simply mastering the techniques themselves. Since the program is only three months long, we recommend focusing on a limited number of techniques.
Q5. What is the“print medium”?
A5. We welcome indirect techniques that involve transferring ink through a“print” made of various materials such as wood, metal, stone, and screen, as well as any original “print medium” you create yourself.
Q6. Is there a set schedule for using each printmaking workshop?
A6. The workshops are generally open Monday to Friday from 9:20 a.m. to 6:10 p.m. Please coordinate your schedule outside of class times when using the facility. For use at other times, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, please contact us to discuss availability. Since classes and other students will also be using the facilities, the schedule will be determined in consultation with the staff of Printmaking as required.
List of Partner institutions overseas
Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera（Italy）
Asia Pacific College（Philippines）
Bandung Institute of Technology（Indonesia）
Bangkok University（Thailand）
Birmingham City University（U.K.）
Communication University of China（China）
École Nationale Supérieure d'Arts de Paris-Cergy（France）
Field of Culture and Creative Industries, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences（Finland）
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg（Germany）
Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts（China）
Hanoi University of Arts and Design（Vietnam）
Indonesia Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta（Indonesia）
Loughborough University（U.K.）
National Taiwan University of Arts（Taiwan）
OCAD University（Canada）
Paris College of Art（France）
Queensland College of Art, Griffith University（Australia）
School of Visual Arts (SVA)（USA）
Shanghai Jiao Tong University（China）
Silpakorn University（Thailand）
Sungkyunkwan University School of Art（South Korea）
Sungshin University（South Korea）
Turku University of Applied Sciences（Finland）
University of Applied Arts Vienna（Austria）
University of West Bohemia（Czech）