Arts Council Tokyo announces Startup Grant 2025 (Japan)

The focus of the grant is on social creativity, fostering artistic and cultural activities that tackle urban and social challenges, revitalization of local communities, development of new talents and future leaders, creation of platforms for international cultural exchange, support for diversity and inclusion in the arts, and promotion of Tokyo as a city of artistic innovation.

The grant provides financial support depending on the type of applicant. Individuals can apply for up to 300,000 yen, while organizations are eligible to apply for up to 1 million yen, within the total amount of eligible expenses. The grant will be disbursed after the performance report is submitted and confirmed, although in the case of organizations, partial advance disbursement may be possible. The final awarded amount may be lower than the applied amount, depending on the review and budget availability.

This opportunity provides financial support to new arts organizations and projects, enabling them to establish their foundations and expand their creative activities within Tokyo. The grant emphasizes supporting initiatives that not only pursue artistic excellence but also contribute to solving social issues through creativity and innovation. Selected applicants will be given the resources to strengthen their organizational capacity and enhance their ability to create sustainable cultural value.

The program aims to nurture emerging talents and cultural organizations by helping them build strong networks and collaborations across diverse artistic disciplines. It also focuses on creating an environment that encourages experimentation, interdisciplinary approaches, and international partnerships.

By providing this support, the Arts Council Tokyo seeks to enhance the city’s global cultural presence and contribute to the enrichment of society through the arts.

For more information, visit Arts Council Tokyo.