---
title: 'Expanded Photography Research Residency: Japan 2027-2028'
description: >-
  Hybrid expanded-photography residency: 12-month online lab plus one month
  on-site at IDEA R LAB in Kurashiki, Japan. Fee USD 3,240; housing and meals
  included.
url: 'https://www.artsume.com/programs/fed3921d-dcbb-46f7-9a03-459ce25c8b7d'
type: program
status: open
createdAt: '2026-09-03'
updatedAt: '2026-09-30'
programType: Residency
organization: FotoCreativaBA
organizationUrl: 'https://www.artsume.com/o/fotocreativaba'
deadline: '2026-12-30'
location: 'IDEA R LAB, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan'
isOnline: false
compensationRange: >-
  No stipend; program fee of USD 3,240 covers mentorship, seminars, shared
  studio, private bedroom accommodation and daily meals. Airfare, personal
  expenses and art materials are not included.
disciplines:
  - criticism
  - digital media
  - film
  - installation arts
  - interdisciplinary arts
  - mixed media
  - moving image
  - multimedia arts
  - paper arts
  - performance art
  - photography
  - visual arts
---

# Expanded Photography Research Residency: Japan 2027-2028

**Hosted by:** FotoCreativaBA

**Type:** Residency | **Location:** IDEA R LAB, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan | **Deadline:** December 30, 2026

## About This Program

> "Expanded photography and Japanese aesthetics (Wabi-Sabi, Kintsugi, Ma, Provoke movement); site-specific research, material culture, and the creative reuse of industrial waste"

The "Expanded Photography Research Residency" is an international hybrid program bridging Latin America and Japan, co-organized by FotoCreativaBA and IDEA R LAB. Designed for visual artists, photographers, and researchers worldwide, the program combines a long-term online laboratory with a one-month immersive on-site research residency in Kurashiki, Japan.

Phase 1 consists of a 12-month online laboratory featuring monthly theoretical and creative triggers connecting contemporary expanded photography with Japanese aesthetics (Wabi-Sabi, Kintsugi, Ma, Provoke movement), combined with individual curatorial mentorship and group critiques.

Phase 2 transitions into a 1-month on-site residency at IDEA R LAB in Kurashiki, Japan. Artists utilize studio spaces to explore site-specific research, material culture, and the creative reuse of industrial waste.

The program concludes with Phase 3: open studios, process-based activations, and public presentations or group discussions online or at the FotoCreativaBA gallery in Buenos Aires. This bilingual program (English/Spanish) is built on an ethos of exploration, deep observation, and transcultural dialogue rather than purely production-driven output.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** International
- **Disciplines:** criticism, digital media, film, installation arts, interdisciplinary arts, mixed media, moving image, multimedia arts, paper arts, performance art, photography, visual arts
- **Note:** Open to visual artists, photographers, and researchers from anywhere in the world interested in expanded photography, material processes, and transcultural dialogue. The program is fully bilingual (Spanish/English friendly). Open to artists based anywhere in the world. Any stage of career. Collaborative residency: must apply and be accepted individually. Pets are not allowed.

## Compensation & Benefits

No stipend; program fee of USD 3,240 covers mentorship, seminars, shared studio, private bedroom accommodation and daily meals. Airfare, personal expenses and art materials are not included.

- Artist stipend: 0 USD.
- Travel/material stipends: 0 USD.
- Grant/scholarship/other funding support: 0 USD — none currently available.

However, we provide official acceptance documentation and letters of support for selected artists applying for external funding, mobility grants, or fellowships in their home countries.

Residency fee: USD 3,240, structured as an initial enrollment fee of USD 360 upon acceptance to secure the slot, followed by 12 monthly installments of USD 240 during the online laboratory phase (March 2027 – February 2028).

## What's Provided

- **Housing:** Provided - Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus. Partially accessible (50% or more).
- **Studio Access:** Provided - Shared studios at IDEA R LAB, plus exhibition/installation space and performance/presentation facilities. Studios/facilities partially accessible (50% or more).

## Timeline

- **Opens:** September 3, 2026
- **Deadline:** December 30, 2026

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgBXilA0ZNReDrUhfUKxIzxhDyoWYYwyb3cYv__ZRl-LZ2Tg/viewform