What is Salt Road Studio?

Salt Road Studio is a fully funded artist residency in Akō, Japan. The residency provides selected artists with airfare, lodging, studio space, local support, and a living-cost grant.

Where is the residency located?

The residency is located in Akō, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

What does the residency include?

The residency includes round-trip airfare to Japan, lodging, studio space, local support, and a $1,000 living-cost grant.

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is April 30, 2027.

Who is eligible to apply?

Artists who are at least 18 years old may apply. Applicants are responsible for making sure they can legally travel to Japan.

Visa and entry requirements depend on your citizenship and travel circumstances. Many short-term visitors may be able to enter Japan without a visa, but applicants are responsible for confirming their own travel and entry requirements.

When will selected artists be notified?

Selected artists will be notified at the start of May 2027.

Is the application fee refundable?

No. The application fee is non-refundable.

FAQ | Artist Residency in Japan

Q: Is there an application fee?

Yes. There is a $25 application fee.

Questions, answered.

Are flights included?

Yes. Round-trip airfare to Japan is arranged for every selected artist, along with shared lodging, a dedicated studio, and a $1,000 living-cost grant. There is no program fee for selected artists.

Who can apply?

The residency is open to artists worldwide who are 18 or older. We welcome emerging and established artists alike. There is no required career stage, degree, or gallery representation. We are looking for curious, committed artists excited to make work in a new environment and live communally for three weeks.

What media or disciplines do you accept?

Painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, textile and fiber art, ceramics, installation, performance, video and film, digital art, and mixed media. If your practice does not fit neatly into one category, choose “Other” on the application and tell us about it.

Do I need a visa to attend?

Artists attend as short-term visitors, and the three-week program falls within Japan’s standard short-stay period. Depending on your nationality, you may be able to enter visa-free, or you may need to apply for a short-stay, Temporary Visitor visa at a Japanese consulate. You are responsible for confirming your own entry requirements. The residency does not sponsor work or long-term visas.

What is the $1,000 grant for?

The $1,000 grant is a living-cost grant to help offset food, local transportation, and personal expenses during the residency. It supports your own subsistence as a visiting artist and is not a fee, salary, or payment for work.

When are the dates and the deadline?

Applications close April 30, 2027. The residency takes place over three weeks in June 2027 in Akō, Japan.

What is the living situation?

Artists share communal lodging with the rest of the cohort for the full three weeks, alongside a dedicated studio and workspace. Applicants should be comfortable living and working closely with other artists during that time.

Is there an application fee?

Yes. There is a $25 non-refundable application fee that helps cover the cost of reviewing submissions. The residency itself has no program fee for selected artists.