Myoju Artist Residency Fellowship

Myoju 明珠, meaning "shining pearl," is an artist residency rooted in the quiet richness of Shiga, shaped by the nature and deep history of Lake Biwa and the belief that each person carries a unique inner radiance. Based in Shiga, Myoju runs a jewelry brand using freshwater pearls from Lake Biwa while creating a space where art and people connect through experience.

Located in Omihachiman, a historic merchant town and home of the Biwako Biennale, about 35 minutes from Kyoto, the residency offers a setting where Western contemporary perspectives meet an Eastern historic landscape. Alongside the residency, Myoju operates a small gallery café that serves as a gentle meeting point between artists and the local community. Here, artists live, research, create, and engage with their surroundings in an ongoing exchange shaped by intention and meaningful relationships, forming a creative ecosystem where international and local perspectives naturally meet and grow.

Residency Period

September 1 to September 28, 2026, fully sponsored by the host.

What Is Included

Residents receive a private bedroom, a private studio, and access to shared communal areas, kitchen, and bath facilities. Optional opportunities include an end-of-term exhibition and consignment sales at the gallery café.

Who Should Apply

The program welcomes artists working in visual arts, literary arts, media and digital arts, and curatorial practice. Selection considers resonance with the location and project, clarity of creative intentions, and collaborative ability. Only selected applicants will be contacted.

Artist Responsibilities

Participants cover their own travel, meals, insurance, and personal expenses.