An artist-in-residence (AIR) is when an artist or creator stays in a certain place for a duration of time to produce work or conduct research activities in a new environment. Myriad AIR programs exist across Japan and abroad and may be organized and managed by the government, private companies, NPOs, museums, etc. AIR programs may have several purposes and benefits, including but not limited to:

• Supporting and nurturing artists and creators
• Promoting international exchanges by attracting people from around the globe
• Connecting artists, creators and local residents with the goal of regional revitalization
• Enhancing culture

AIRs create new environments for exchanges in a given region

In 2021, Kobe City announced its visions for the culture and arts, as part of its medium to long term city goals. The vision includes the following:

• 1. Nurture next-generation leaders by creating more opportunities for children to be exposed to authentic culture and arts.
• 2. Create stable creative environments where young artists and creators can devote themselves to their activities and ultimately attract those artists to settle in Kobe.
• 3. Support the activities of young artists and creators who promote Kobe’s culture and arts to the world.

Kobe City’s goals for the culture and arts overlaps with our activities and goals in launching our own AIR. Whether you look within or outside Japan, you will notice there are no cookie-cutter ways or templates to establish AIRs. Each individual AIR is unique, built and shaped by the region and the culture they are rooted in. Kobe’s AIR will have its unique challenges and obstacles and we hope to gradually create a flow of activities and example-setting events, creating a facility special to Kobe.

In addition to museums, there are several culture and arts facilities and groups in Kobe such as theKobe Art Village Center（KAVC）KIITO Design and Creative Center KobeNPO DANCE BOX、The Conference on Art and Art Projects(C.A.P.),and a diversity of art galleries. Among them, there is a facility conducting a residence program in which artists from both Japan and abroad are invited to create work. The residence program is based on the concept of rediscovering and reinterpreting Kobe from an artist's point of view, and translating it into tangible work. In order to do so, various artists and creators are invited to ateliers and studios in exchange to showcase their work.

Currently, participating artists and creators must arrange their own temporary abodes. While each facility and program provide places for showcasing, activities, and events, there are no or sufficient accommodation facilities for the artists and creators to temporarily reside at. Ideally, participants would stay together in shared spaces (for example, a house with a shared living room) which would allow and encourage dialogue and collaboration. This, however, is difficult to realize when lodging in individual rooms in hotels. Budget restraints and the financial burdens for extended lodging is also an issue.

We believe that the role of Artist in Residence KOBE is not limited to benefiting the visiting artists and creators themselves, but also for those neighboring culture and arts facilities and programs inviting or sponsoring those visiting artists to make possible their activities and events. This collaboration will propel culture and arts activities in Kobe and contribute to Kobe City’s goal in the culture and arts. Artist in Residence KOBE will also play a role in connecting the city and its local people with the visiting artists and creators. This will allow for a deeper and more meaningful time for the artists and creators, as well as learning opportunities and exposure for locals.

Operations of Artist in Residence KOBE

Kobe’s Kitano district is a historic tourist destination known for its 19th century foreign settlements. Step aside in to the backstreets, and you will find that behind the tourist attractions are residential. Many properties have been owned for generations by citizens from all over the world, and this is one of the reasons you will find not only Japanese shrines and temples, but also Islamic mosques, Jewish synagogues, Indian Jain temples, Chinese Guan Ti Mausoleums, and several Christian churches in close proximity to one another.

Kitano has always been an inviting neighborhood for guests and is perfect for artists and creators from around the globe to come together.

The Artist in Residence KOBE facility is located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of a 3 story apartment. There is one house on each floor, and each comprises of a large bathroom with a toilet, high ceilings, furniture made and remained from the 1950s, a large kitchen and a room originally for maids. It was built spacious compared to traditional Japanese homes, to comfortably accommodate foreigners settlers. Nearby is The Kobe Club, a foreigner’s club. Back in the day, local members would walk from home to the club’s pool in nothing but their swimwear! With its location on a hill, the house offers breathtaking scenery of the city to the south and east, as well as a mountain view of Mt. Rokko to the north.