Social Dive Open Call – Tokyo Biennale 2027

Social Dive is an art project inviting artists, curators, researchers, collectives, and practitioners from around the world to immerse themselves in Tokyo's diverse neighbourhoods and co-create spaces for cross-border encounters and dialogue.

For Tokyo Biennale 2027, proposals are sought for art projects across eleven designated sites — including historic temples, business districts, intimate back alleys, old wooden buildings, and entertainment venues — each carrying their own histories and communities. The overarching theme is "From 'Me' to 'Us'": exploring how individual creativity can open outward to build new forms of connection, community, and collective consciousness.

Selected projects must be developed through research, residency-based production, and genuine engagement with Tokyo's people and places — not simply the presentation of existing work. Formats can include exhibitions, performances, video works, workshops, participatory projects, tours, research presentations, or curatorial projects. All outcomes must be presentable in some form during Tokyo Biennale 2027.

Support provided to selected participants includes:

• Round-trip economy class travel to Tokyo (up to ¥300,000 JPY, one person)
• Accommodation in Tokyo
• Venue coordination for the art programme
• Project development support budget (up to ¥200,000 JPY)
• Honorarium of ¥100,000 JPY
• Interpretation and translation support
• Invitation letter for visa purposes

Eligibility:

• Open to individuals and groups; applicants must be 18 or older
• No restrictions on nationality, residency, or location
• Applicants must be available to participate in research, production, and presentation in Tokyo during the designated period
• Applications accepted in English or Japanese only

Selection process:

Two-stage selection: preliminary screening based on submitted materials, followed by a final selection. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to participate in online or in-person interviews. Final decisions on support scope, residency duration, and implementation sites are made in consultation with the Secretariat.

The eleven project sites span Tokyo's cultural geography: Toeizan Kaneiji Temple, Yushima Seido, Otemachi/Marunouchi/Yurakucho, Kyobashi, Nihonbashi, Yaesu, Kanda, and others — each offering distinct social, historical, and architectural character.

This is a rare opportunity to work deeply within Tokyo's living urban fabric, contributing to a major international biennial while building genuine, reciprocal relationships with local communities.