For designers who wish to conduct research and develop their own work during a working residency in the Japanese region of Saga, in close collaboration with a local paper producer and woodworking community.
Creative Residency Arita/Creative Residency Saga (CRA/CRS) is an international artist-in-residence programme initiated by the Saga Prefecture and various local municipalities. CRA, active for more than ten years now, focusses on Arita’s historical porcelain industry and has developed a consistent programme model for the exchange between designers, artists and local porcelain makers. CRS, starting its first residency this year, introduces a parallel residency programme focussing on other artisanal and production traditions essential to Saga - washi at Nao Tesuki Washi and the woodworking/furniture workshop in the Morodomi region. CRS is a residency programme in development, with this first edition being the pilot.
CRA/CRS is an international artist-in-residence programme of the Saga prefecture. The work period has been set up in collaboration with the Creative Industries Fund NL and the Mondriaan Fund to stimulate crossovers and experiments. The initiative aspires to familiarise international professionals with the traditional production cultures in Saga and to promote new applications, perspectives and cooperative ventures.
This open call is not intended for:
Please be aware that if you are to receive support for a work period in 2026 under this open call, then in that year you won’t be able to submit an application under the aforementioned Talent Development Grant Scheme, the Open Call: Emerging Design Practices ABCSSS or the Open Call: Self-taught Designer.
Visual artists can submit a proposal to the Mondriaan Fund.
In order to prepare the application, it is important to acquire the right information based on the following documents:
Applications are assessed on the basis of the Open Call Saga Residency 2026. This describes the purpose and objective, key questions, criteria and procedure.
Applications are assessed on the basis of the Open Call Saga Residency 2026 and the Open Call Grant Scheme.
When you have submitted your application, the Fund will check if your application complies with the formal requirements of the Open Call Grant Scheme.
An independent advisory committee will evaluate your application on the basis of the criteria and requirements set out in the Open Call Saga Residency 2026 and the Open Call Grant Scheme. The committee advises the Fund’s Board.
The assessment of the open call is similar to a tender. This means that, within the available budget, a number of proposals will be preferred over other ones. Only positively assessed projects will be supported.
The board takes account of the advisory committee’s advice in its decision on the rejection or provision of a grant. You will be notified of the result by means of a decision.
If you receive a grant from the Fund you will have to comply with the obligations. Two weeks before the conclusion of your project, you will be requested by email to submit your accountability form in the Fund’s application platform.
be clear and do not repeat yourself
support your proposal with visuals
ensure that the total project costs do not exceed €10,000
prepare a realistic budget
make sure your application is complete
don't wait too long to submit
Do you want to apply for a subsidy under this open call?
Start your applicationIf anything is not clear, please send your question by e-mail to the Internationalisation team. You can also call 010 436 16 00. If you have a more general question, read the frequently asked questions first.
