U.S.-Japan Creative Artist Fellowship Program 

Since 1978 Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission has partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to fund and administer the U.S.-Japan Creative Artist Fellowship Program. For nearly 50 years this program has demonstrated a sustained commitment to mutual understanding and artistic enrichment between the United States and Japan. Serving a vital national interest, this highly competitive program supports the U.S.-Japan Alliance through this strategic artistic exchange that empowers American artists to engage deeply with Japan’s traditional and contemporary cultural life; build meaningful connections with the Japanese public; and absorb new perspectives abroad, enriching the cultural fabric of the United States upon their return. The program is supported by the Cultural Agency of Japan, with the International House of Japan serving as implementing partner.

Each year up to five leading U.S.-based artists, representing all genres, are selected from the United States to spend a three-to-five- month residency in Japan. The artist fellows may live anywhere in Japan to pursue activities of greatest relevance to their creative process.

Building on this legacy of cultural exchange, in 2024-25 JUSFC and NEA collaborated on an artistic team initiative that brought together five binational teams of U.S. and Japanese artists to showcase innovation and creativity that were integral to the theme of Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The teams’ projects ranged across artistic disciplines, from architecture and dance to textile and visual arts, and explored subjects of cultural and artistic importance to the U.S.-Japan partnership. In cooperation with the Department of State, two of these art projects and one performance were displayed at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. One project was exhibited in Yoshino, Nara and subsequently presented at an artist forum at I-House in August 2025. Additionally, one completed project is installed at McArthur House in Tokyo (residence of the U.S. Ambassador) and the other is installed in the home of the Deputy Chief of Mission in Japan.

To learn more about the artists and their projects, please visit  TOP – 日米芸術家交換プログラム

Program Update: The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC), in coordination with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), announces that the U.S.-Japan Creative Artist Fellowship Program is temporarily paused until further notice. All application processes are suspended during this period. JUSFC and/or NEA are not currently accepting new applications. Interested artists are encouraged to check this page in late September 2026 for the most current information.