Grant for Artistic City aims to support variety of artistic/creative projects and their bearers that contribute to the enhancement of Tokyo’s attractiveness as a city, with the aim of realizing a world-class city of arts and culture through public-private partnerships.

To tie in with support for a more diverse range of artists and practitioners of arts and culture, this grant provides funding for innovative creative activities, festivals, art projects etc. which involve the participation of multiple organizations and artists, and which are sustainable and can demonstrate a ripple effect. Additionally, this will be combined with the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses (subject to a cap limit) for specific expenses as a separate source of financial support.

Application Outline

■ Eligible Applicants
Applicants should be organizations based (have an address) in Japan. Overseas organizations are required to collaborate with local partners. Individuals are ineligible.

■ Eligible Art Forms and Disciplines
Music, play, dance, visual arts, photography, literature, media arts (film, video, comic, animation, game, etc.), traditional arts, performing arts, lifestyles and culture (tea ceremony, flower arrangement, calligraphy etc.), fashion, architecture, any other form of arts/collaboration across these artforms and disciplines etc.
Combined form of various artistic activities (such as festivals) are also accepted.

■ Eligible subjects/themes
Arts and cultural projects held in Tokyo that are open to the public, organized or co-organized by multiple (*) organizations, and have a ripple effect. For example, the following types of projects are envisioned.

[Arts and culture that promote Tokyo’s attractiveness] (including large-scale regional projects)

• Projects that have the potential to mobilize people and attract attention that will contribute to the attractiveness of the city of Tokyo, such as high-quality live entertainment.
• Innovative programs that pursue new ideas and expressions.
• Large-scale projects that aim to create local attractions and revitalize the region by making use of various local cultural resources that are rooted in the region.

[Inclusion and sustainability]

• Activities that are open to all generations, nationalities, and disabilities, including those raising children, the elderly, and caregivers. Projects that have a special approach or programs to enhance participation.
• The programs that challenge new possibilities of arts by addressing various social issues, such as environmental problems, through arts and culture.
• Not a mere one-off event, but a project that contributes to the sustainability of arts and cultural activities.

[Science & arts]

• Projects that pursue and explore new ideas and expressions that fuse digital technology and science with arts and culture.
• Projects that have the potential to lead the development and proposal of new technologies.

■ Eligible Project Period
Projects beginning on or after December 16, 2024 and ending on or before December 15, 2025

■ Project Location
Tokyo Metropolitan Area (including online)

＊）What types of projects are eligible which involve “multiple organizations”?
(1) Co-organized Projects: These are projects where the applicant organization partners with one or more co-organizers who contribute to the project’s execution. (e.g. in the form of an executive committee).
(2) Multi-program Projects: These are events like music festivals where several organizations participate with independent productions or works within the larger event.

What we consider as Standalone Programs:
(1) Guest Appearances: Programs where other organizations or artists participate in a single production, such as guest performers or artists in a play.
(2) Single-Organization Collaborations: Collaborations and co-productions presented as a single work by a single organization, even if it involved collaboration in the creative process.

■ Funding
Support is provided to projects involving more than one organization or artist and up to 50% of the eligible project cost will be covered, with a maximum amount of JPY 20 million.

In addition, separate support is provided as “project support costs”.

A: Digital Development Support Costs (up to a maximum of JPY 3 million)
B: Creative Environment Support Costs (up to a maximum of JPY 200,000)

Please note that the support cost is granted to grant-eligible projects. Application will be reviewed among the projects which have applied for the project support costs. Even if your grant application is approved, support cost may not be approved. Please choose whether you would like to receive the support cost when you apply; you may apply for A or B, or both A and B.

If you wish to apply for support costs, please make sure to submit the relevant expenses in the designated budget sheet (Excel).

■ Application Process
Applications must be submitted via online grant application system (available in Japanese only). Please create your organization’s account on the online system, fill in the required fields, and upload the necessary documents to submit your application. Please download some of the designated forms from the online grant application system after registering your organization’s account.
For more details, please refer to the guideline (available in Japanese only).

■ Application period
Monday, August 19, 14:00 – Tuesday, September 24, 14:00

■ For inquiries on this project
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Support Program Design
TEL: 03-6256-8433 (Weekday 10:00 – 18:00)
E-mail: ms-josei@artscouncil-tokyo.jp