Japan | 2026 Residency for makers in the Netherlands
The Creative Industries Fund NL and the Mondriaan Fund are each offering a work period with paper producer Nao Tesuki Washi and the Morodomi woodworking community in the Japanese region of Saga from 14 September to 14 December 2026.
The work period in Japan offers designers and artists the opportunity to carry out research in artistic and technical fields and to develop their own work through intensive collaboration with the participating craftsmen who specialise in Japanese washi paper and woodworking. Saga has a rich tradition of various crafts, including Arita porcelain, Nao washi and furniture production to name but a few.
Who is this call for?
- You are an individual designer, an architect, a spatial practitioner or a maker.
- You are established in the Netherlands or on one of the Dutch Caribbean islands.
- You are prepared to immerse yourself in woodworking and papermaking techniques (no practical knowledge is required, but it is recommended).
- You have an affinity for the specific Saga region context and the intention to keep working with the local craftsmen after the end of the work period, if possible.
Grant
Artists will receive a grant of 12,000 EUR for the work period, intended to cover:
- travel expenses;
- insurance policies;
- transport expenses;
- material expenses;
- necessities for the research;
- contribution to living expenses.
The rent for accommodation, the working space and the guidance costs will be paid directly by the Creative Industries Fund NL to the Creative Residency Saga.
Saga residency 2026 application guidelines
Deadline: 28 February 2026 (for artists) / 4 March 2026 (for designers)