Creative Activities During Your Stay at Sapporo Tenjinyama Art Studio

Welcome to Sapporo Tenjinyama Art Studio! We’re excited to support your creative journey here in Sapporo. Our AIR (Artist-in-Residence) Director and program coordinators are based on-site, and the studio is equipped with various tools and facilities to support your research and production activities.

For artists supported by the City of Sapporo, it’s expected that your work reflects the uniqueness of Hokkaido and Sapporo, and that you actively engage with the local community. Please take the following points into account when planning and carrying out your creative practice.

(1) Meetings with the AIR Director & Staff Support

We encourage meaningful interaction between resident artists and the local community. The AIR Director and staff are here to help connect your creative practice with the people of Sapporo.

• Meetings and consultations with the AIR Director and staff are available only in the afternoon.

• Meetings will be arranged after your arrival. We do not offer pre-residency meetings.

• If you plan to exhibit your work during your stay or organize workshops for the public, it is mandatory to schedule a meeting with the AIR Director or attend an Open Studio meeting.
  Please book in advance by email: info@tenjinyamastudio.jp
  
  

(2) Community Events Organized by Tenjinyama Art Studio

You’ll have multiple opportunities to casually connect with the local community through public programs and events.

① Art & Breakfast Day @ Tenjinyama

Held once a month on a Sunday from 10:30 to 12:30. Please check with the staff for upcoming dates.
A bring-your-own breakfast gathering where artists and locals share food and conversation. Artists are invited to give a short, casual “mini talk” about their work.

② Open Studio

Also held monthly, on a Sunday from 13:00 to 17:00 (dates to be confirmed with staff).
You can propose how you’d like to open your practice—exhibiting work-in-progress, holding a workshop or artist talk, screening a video, performing, etc.
This is a key opportunity to engage the public with your creative process.

“2025 Open Studio Schedule”

③ Other Community Events

Tenjinyama Culture Festival and other neighborhood-based events may offer more chances to connect with local people.

(3) Exchange with Fellow Artists-in-Residence

Tenjinyama is known not just for its facilities but for the spontaneous and meaningful connections that happen among artists staying here at the same time.

Some residents organize regular meetups or sharing sessions on their own initiative, such as the casual “Wednesday Sharing” nights.

About Wednesday Sharing

(4) Language Support (EN ⇄ JP)

Please keep in mind that not everyone in Japan speaks English.
During official events hosted by Tenjinyama, staff can help with basic translation. However, we’re unable to offer full-time interpretation support for individual projects such as interviews, research, or public workshops.

We recommend using translation apps and planning ahead—including setting aside budget for your own interpreter if needed.

(5) Using Shared Spaces at the Studio

Use of 1F Shared Areas (with public access):

You’re welcome to use these areas for:

• Public production (e.g. working in the open, rehearsing, online research)

• Sharing progress (e.g. presentations, installations, performances)

• Other creative activities—feel free to ask us!

🕒 Available Hours: 8:45 – 21:00
Please consult staff if you’d like to use the space outside these hours.

To use shared spaces:

1. Talk to the staff: Share your plan (what, when, where).

2. We’ll work with you to find a suitable space (like the Community Studio or Salon).

3. Keep in mind that these spaces are open to visitors of all ages, including those who may not know this is an artist-in-residence site.

Your responsibility:

• Ensure safety for visitors, artworks, and yourself.
  (e.g. don’t block pathways, secure tools, move fragile items when leaving)

• Keep your noise level considerate of others.

• Restore the space to its original condition and clean up afterward.

• Notify staff once cleanup is done.

Our responsibility:

• We’ll put up signage so visitors know it’s a work-in-progress space and shouldn’t touch your work.

• Staff will handle locking/unlocking of special areas.

• If needed, we’ll ask you to temporarily move your work for safety—but we’ll inform you in advance unless it’s urgent.

(6) Publicity and Sharing Your Work

To help us understand and promote your activities, we’ll ask you to fill out an online form during your stay. We’ll use this information to:

• Document your residency

• Share updates on our website and social media (for public events or open activities)

Let us know if you’d like support with outreach or visibility.

We hope you’ll make the most of your time at Tenjinyama—both as a creative space and as a place of connection with the people of Sapporo.
We’re here to support your ideas and collaborations!