Art funding in Asia: a guide for artists
Securing funding as an artist can be challenging, but there are numerous organizations in Asia dedicated to supporting artists of all disciplines and career levels. From government programs to private foundations, these organizations offer a variety of funding opportunities for artists. We will highlight some of the most prominent organizations that provide funding for artists in Asia, helping you take your career to the next level.
Regional Funding
Check the eligibility criteria carefully (can be the entire continent or only part of it)
Arts Network Asia (ANA) is an enabling grant body working across borders in multiple disciplines that encourages and supports regional artistic collaboration as well as develops managerial and administrative skills within Asia. Arts Network Asia is motivated by the philosophy of meaningful collaboration, distinguished by mutual respect, initiated in Asia and carried out together with Asian artists and arts communities. It operates in 11 languages. The ANA is currently reviewing and reformulating its grant programs for the coming years. However, travel grants for Asian artists and cultural workers traveling within Asia are still being made.
Eligibility: Asian artists and cultural workers traveling within Asia are eligible for travel grants.
The Toyota Foundation has provided grants for research and projects in the cultural field, among other areas. It offers both an international and a research grant program and primarily focuses on Japan and countries and areas in East and Southeast Asia. However, both grant programs of the foundation have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, there will not be any call for 2020 for the research grant, instead, the foundation will review its grant program and prepare for a new research program that will be open in early April 2021. For the international grant program, the foundation asks its applicants to set a generous schedule within the grant period (1 or 2 years from November 2020).
Eligibility: see the website for eligibility per specific program.
Bi- and Multilateral
More than one nationality is eligible, but sometimes only one departure and/or host country.
The Asian Cultural Council supports transformative cultural exchange by awarding grants to artists, scholars, and arts and humanities professionals, as well as organizations and educational institutions from the United States and Asia for research, study, and creative work in the United States and Asia and within the countries of Asia.
Eligibility: Individuals and institutions that advance cultural exchange between the U.S. and countries in Asia as well as among countries in Asia.
The Australia Indonesia Institute aims to provide seed funding for innovative programs and initiatives which strengthen people-to-people and institutional links with Indonesia and deepen mutual understanding and cooperation between Australia and Indonesia. The Australia-Indonesia Institute often contributes some funding to Asialink's Residency Program with Indonesia in the fields of the Visual Arts and Crafts, Performing Arts, Arts Management, and/or Literature. Although the AII has set application rounds, it may at its discretion consider applications intercessional on an ad hoc basis during the financial year, subject to available funding.
Eligibility: Australian artists and organizations. Joint applications may be accepted from non-Australian citizen/resident individuals or organizations who are working with Australian partners.
Annually, the Canon Foundation in Europe grants up to 15 Fellowships to highly qualified European and Japanese researchers. European Fellows are expected to pursue a period of research in Japan whereas Japanese Fellows are expected to do their research in Europe. Canon Foundation Fellowships are for a minimum period of three months up to a maximum of one year. The annual deadline for applications is 15 September.
Eligibility: permanent citizens of Japan or Europe (including Israel, Turkey, Balkan and Baltic countries).
Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation
The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation's purpose is to support closer links between Britain and Japan. The Small Grants are made to both individuals and institutions in the UK and Japan in all areas of the visual and performing arts.
Eligibility: individual artists must be residents in the UK or Japan.
Per Country
Only one nationality is eligible.
IFA makes grants to individuals and organizations with the aim of filling important gaps in private and public assistance for culture and the arts in India. IFA's grants support all forms of cultural expression, while accommodating work that falls outside specific domains of art, blurs disciplinary boundaries, or anticipates new modes of artistic production and presentation. It offers an Arts Research as well as an Arts Practice program.
Eligibility: Indian nationals, registered non-profit Indian organizations, or if you have been residing in India for the last five years.
With the Arts and Culture Exchange program, the Japan Foundation supports exchange projects between Japan and other countries with the aim of fostering the general public’s interest in Japan and to promote the understanding of Japan abroad. The programs are designed to support projects that introduce various aspects of Japanese arts and culture and that contribute to international society through the arts.
Eligibility: all artists from Japan.
KAMS - Korea Arts Management Service
KAMS concentrates on the provision of support and services related to international exchange, and on the enhancement of the competitiveness of the Korean performing arts. The PROJECT VIA program is aimed at promoting exchange in the Korean contemporary art community by providing a useful channel for experienced visual art specialists to develop their professional networks.
Eligibility: artists resident in South Korea.
Indonesia has many talented artists who are actively working creatively without sufficient support. In terms of motivating Indonesian artists to continue creating works within advance quality, Kelola introduced the Hibah Seni (Arts Grants) program in 2001. The Arts Grants consist of two categories: Innovative Work and Touring Performances.
Eligibility: all artists from Indonesia.
National Arts Council Singapore
The National Arts Council Singapore aims to nurture the arts in Singapore and to make them an integral part of the lives of all Singaporeans. Its aim is to celebrate excellence in the arts and work to make it accessible to all. The NAC offers a variety of grants for both individual artists and non-profit art organizations.
Eligibility: Singapore citizens or permanent residents, or (about to be) registered Singaporean non-profit art organizations.
The Pola Art Foundation works to spread the field of the arts so that more people can become familiar with art. Its main activities are the support of young artists, research by museum staff members, and support of activities related to international exchange in the field of art.
Eligibility: all artists from Japan.
SFAC - Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture
SFAC is supporting the creation and spread of culture and the arts, art education, and the people of Seoul’s cultural and art activities. The foundation contributes to enabling outstanding artists to create their artworks on a global stage and interact with overseas artists and strengthening the capabilities of professional cultural and art planners by operating residency programs.
Singapore International Foundation
The Singapore International Foundation offers the Singapore Internationale program, which partners Singaporean artists as well as cultural ambassadors to connect and collaborate with world communities to promote understanding for an inclusive world and to effect positive change.
Eligibility: individual artists who are citizens or permanent residents of Singapore.
