The Japan Foundation, Sydney, is now accepting proposals for the facetnate! 2009 program. Australia-based emerging visual artists and/ or curators are welcome to apply.

Proposals will be for visual art works - fine art, craft, film, new media, or other visual art – and should clearly demonstrate a strong Japan influence. Successful applicants will be required to coordinate a solo/ group exhibition or event as part of a collective project, which will run for the duration of 2009, following a launch in May.

The program is an initiative of the Japan Foundation, Sydney and aims to provide a platform for local artists to contribute to the dialogue between our two countries through artistic expression.

The Japan Foundation will provide successful applicants with a grant (A$3000) to carry out their project. We welcome proposals from individuals/groups from any ethnic background who meet the following criteria:

• You are an emerging visual artist(s) and/ or curator(s) who has completed, or will have completed, tertiary studies in visual art by 2009.
• While you do not need permanent residency status to apply, you must reside in Australia for the duration of 2009.
• You agree with the aims of the Japan Foundation and likewise have a passion for furthering cross-cultural exchange between Japan and Australia, and introducing Japanese art and culture in Australia.
• You can clearly demonstrate that your work is influenced by Japan and/ or is a cross-cultural art project between Japan and Australia.
• You are able to express yourself fluently (writing/ speaking) in English.

Deadline for proposals has been extended until Friday 28 November. Submissions must arrive by this date. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their proposal late January.

*Should your application be successful, you will be required to participate in all project-related events, including a collective art project. Please note that all projects must be held in either the Japan Foundation, Sydney’s gallery or multipurpose room.