A Question from Kyoto: Exploring the “Liminal Spaces of Belonging”
In recent years, the presence of foreign artists and musicians living in Japan has become increasingly visible. Across cities and regions, creators from diverse cultural backgrounds are contributing to Japan’s artistic landscape while navigating life between cultures.
What does it mean to create art while living “in-between” — between home and abroad, between languages, between identities?
Seki Art Lab launches the nationwide open call project is below.
“Liminal Spaces of Belonging – Art & Music Between Home and Abroad.”
This initiative focuses on the concept of the “liminal” — a transitional, boundary-like condition often experienced by those who live long-term outside their country of origin. Rather than framing this in-betweenness as uncertainty alone, the project recognizes it as a source of creativity and new cultural dialogue.
In June 2026, selected artists and musicians will present their work at two of Kyoto’s leading cultural institutions: Kyoto Concert Hall and Kyoto City Museum of Art (Annex).
Through this dual-format program — a concert and an exhibition — the project aims to highlight how foreign creators living in Japan interpret belonging, identity, and cultural hybridity in their own artistic language.（Application Deadline: April 15, 2026）
近年、日本で暮らしながら創作活動を行う外国人アーティストや音楽家の存在感は、確実に高まっています。多様な文化背景を持つクリエイターたちは、日本社会の中で活動しながら、独自の視点で芸術表現を展開しています。
異なる言語や文化、価値観のあいだで生きることは、時に曖昧さや揺らぎを伴います。しかし同時に、その“あいだ”にこそ、新たな創造性が生まれる可能性があります。2026年6月、全国公募プロジェクト「Liminal Spaces of Belonging ― 故郷と異郷のあいだの芸術」を実施します。
本企画は、「リミナル（境界・移行期）」という概念を軸に、日本で長期的に活動する外国人クリエイターの視点を可視化・可聴化することを目的としています。京都を代表する文化施設にて、音楽部門と美術部門の２部門を開催されます。
コンサートと展覧会という異なる形式を通して、「帰属」「アイデンティティ」「文化的ハイブリッド」といったテーマを、多角的に発信する試みです。現在、全国から応募を受け付けています。応募締切: 2026年4月15日まで
Entry is here
please visit our official website:🔗https://www.no-art.jp/en/project/2nd （Art Category）https://www.no-art.jp/en/project/music-1st (Music Category)
| The “Liminal Spaces of Belonging” Project ◯Music Category (1st Edition Concert) Focused on classical and traditional musicians Live performance at Kyoto Concert Hall Performance-based selection Kyoto Mayor’s Award for outstanding performers ◯Art Category (2nd Edition Exhibition) Focused on visual artists Exhibition at Kyoto City Museum of Art (Annex) Display-based selection Formal recognition for outstanding works Both categories share the same thematic foundation and application deadline but differ in format, venue, and presentation method. |
