1．What is the Artist in Residence Program?

Since its inception in 1992, the Institute of Ceramic Studies has provided an opportunity for ceramic artists from around the world to work freely in the environment of Shigaraki.
Since there is no curriculum as such, artists are free to pursue their work in our creative space according to their own schedule.
At any given time, there are about ten artists in residence working at the Institute. By exposing artists from different countries with different styles to each other, we hope to create a stimulating creative environment for our artists in residence.

There are two types of artists who work here. The first are Studio Artists, those who stay and work here after being accepted through our application process.
The second are Guest Artists, who are invited by the Ceramic Cultural Park to work here. A limited number of Guest Artist positions are open to applications.
The goal of the Institute of Ceramic Studies is to enable artists to improve the level of their work by fully utilizing our facilities while interacting with a variety of other artists.

2．How to Be a Successful Artist in Residence

First, you should have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park. We recommend that you apply to our program after determining what you want to do here and how long you expect your work to take.

If you have any questions about how you can fit into our program, please do not hesitate to consult with us before you apply. Our staff will be happy to consult with you.

Many artists want to create new kinds of work in a new environment, using facilities they have never used before. Artists from a variety of countries with a variety of styles come to the Institute of Ceramic Studies. We have a variety of kilns here. It is often possible to fire test pieces in the kilns of other artists. Clay is a material that lends itself to a wide variety of expressive possibilities. Here you can try materials and techniques that you don’t usually use in your work.

One unique characteristic of our program is that you can choose the length of time you want to stay here. As a rule, artists can choose to stay and work at the Institute for a period of from one month to one year. The artists who have the most satisfying experiences here are those who are able to plan their time to concentrate fully on their work.

3．Exchanges with the local pottery community of Shigaraki

Shigaraki is famous for ceramics with long history. One role of the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park is to provide changes for our Artists in Residence Program to observe closely the skill of local potters. One of the merits of working in a pottery producing area is that we have easy access to raw materials. Artists in Residence can also easily visit sites such as clay pits and feldspar mines in the mountains around Shigaraki, providing another source of inspiration for their work.

4．International Communication through ceramic art

Since 1992, the Institute of Ceramic Studies has welcomed a large number of ceramic artists from overseas. Our attempts to promote international exchange through ceramic art have flourished over the years. Depending on the particular time an artist stays here, he or she will be able to work alongside ceramic artists from a variety of countries. Inevitably, sometimes language difficulties arise; the official language of the Institute of Ceramic Studies are Japanese and English. We try to provide as comfortable an environment as possible for you, such as posting notices in English. However, we ask you to realize that this is Japan, and you will be living in the culture that is probably very different from the one you are accustomed to. Please study Japanese and English before coming. You need not be perfectly fluent in either language, but the ability to carry on a simple conversation will make your life here go much smoothly. We also recommend you bring language materials such as dictionaries and conversation guide.

5．Various programs on Ceramic Art

The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park sponsors a variety of activities based around the theme of ceramic art. Studio Artists are welcomed to taking part in these activities, and also sometimes as ask you to help. Through taking in our various programs during your stay at SCCP, we hope you will broaden your ceramic horizons.

創作研修課長　　　　杉山道夫
Section Chief of the Residency Program SUGIYAMA, Michio

主査　　　　　　　　松波義実
Instructor　　　　　MATSUNAMI, Yoshimi

指導員　　　　　　　安藤祐輝
Instructor　　　　　ANDO, Yuki

嘱託職員　　　　　　田尾　晃
Studio Technician 　 TAO, Akira

嘱託職員　　　　　　後藤　武久
Studio Technician 　GOTO, Takehisa

事務職員　　　　　　吉田洋子
Clerk 　　　　　　    YOSHIDA, Yoko

https://www.sccp.jp/air/en/about-artist-in-r/