Frequently Asked Questions

Daily Life and Amenities

  • Yes, residents are responsible for their own meals. There is a grocery store close by and a fully equipped kitchen in your quarters, as well as a huge number of restaurants in the center of town.

  • Towels, shampoo, bodywash, toilet paper, dish detergent and washing machine detergent are all provided. Please bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste.

  • High speed internet is included free of charge, with both LAN and wireless connections available in your room.

  • Very hot and humid in summer, cold but rarely snowy in winter. Your rooms and the studio have good climate control options for the more extreme months.

  • The residency is situated in a traditional Japanese neighbourhood. The surrounding area is quite hilly, so we provide an e-bike to get around.

    Odawara station is a 20 minute walk or short bike ride, and a local train station is only 8 minutes walk away.

    There is a large wooded area next to the property, so in some months there can be many insects around. We can provide mosquito repelling incense, but in some months you will need to accept a few bugs as your neighbours!

    We also border a very well kept and peaceful cemetery, which is visible from some of your windows, so please consider if this is an issue for you.

  • Unfortunately not.

    There are several sets of stairs with handrails which you will need to be able to climb to move between the studio, your bedroom, your bathroom and kitchen. The surrounding area is also very steep in some parts. If you are a person with limited mobility, we recommend discussing your specific requirements with us before applying, to see if it will be possible to comfortably accommodate you.

  • Your bedroom, bathroom, balcony and kitchen are entirely yours.

    Your hosts live in the same building, with their own living quarters.

    The studio is shared, so you will sometimes run into them there, but you can always withdraw to your private quarters when you need privacy.

    Your private quarters are very quiet, but please note that the studio is below your host’s living quarters, so there can be some lively noise passing through the ceiling during certain hours as the family moves around.

  • No smoking or e-cigarettes are allowed on the property, including on the balcony or in the garden.

    If you wish to smoke, please leave the property to do so.

    If you are a heavy smoker, or if smoking is important to your creative process, Mayu unfortunately may not be a good match for you.

Fees and Travel

  • No, flights are not included.

    Residents will be responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Japan.

  • This will vary greatly depending on your country of origin.

    It is the resident’s responsibility to ensure they can obtain the appropriate visa to visit Japan.

    We are not able to sponsor a resident’s visa.

    Generally speaking, a 1-3 month travel visa is obtainable in most countries, and suits a 1-3 month stay at Mayu.

    Please be sure to check elligibilities such as work permissions, so that you do not plan any activities in violation of your visa.

  • You can read more about exactly what is included in the fee here.

    Please note that the “optional extras” category including services such as Japanese language lessons or promotional video production are available at additional cost to the basic fee.

  • Please budget for your flights, local transportation, meals, personal expenses, art supplies and optional activities.

    We highly recommend you also purchase travel insurance, as Mayu is not liable for injuries you may sustain here, or damage or loss of personal property.

    Even if you purchase travel insurance, it’s a good idea to have an emergency fund in case of sudden injury or unexpected travel needs.

  • Our winter residency is a fully funded scholarship program, including most of the optional extras. You can read more about this program here.

    Please note the scholarship does not include flights or a per diem.

  • Of course. Odawara is well situated with a shinkansen station to get you around the country very quickly.

    Please note residents must stay for a minimum of 28 nights at the property. If you’d like to travel for a week in the middle of that, the nights that you are away will not be included in that minimum.

    You will not be charged for nights that you are out of town for.

    You can leave belongings safely locked in your room while traveling.

The residency experience

  • We hold 4 residencies per year; Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

    Each residency is a flexible 3 month period, in which the artist must stay for a minimum of 28 nights, up to a maximum of 84 nights.

    The exact dates are flexible within the 3 month window.

  • You are welcome to work on a variety of projects at the residency, but we may be more likely to choose applicants who have a specific and focused project in mind when applying, particularly if it makes good use of the local environment or community.

    We understand that inspiration can take you in all sorts of directions, and we welcome experimentation during your time here, so we will not firmly hold you to the project you initially envisioned in your application.

    Keep in mind, however, that all artists are required to present their work at the end of their stay.

  • Yes.

    Every artist is required by default to give a 2 day exhibition of their work to the local community.

    If your artform is not suitable for exhibition, we can also arrange a performance space, a presentation of WIPs or a workshop with local community members.

    The exhibition dates will be decided before your arrival, and your hosts will help you plan the precise form it will take.

  • Several guided tours are included in the residency, and your hosts will help connect you with other local artists, craftspeople and communities at your request.

    Some activities may involve additional costs, which will be communicated in advance.

  • Your hosts are a very friendly but very offline family. They will do everything to make your stay a memorable and productive one, and look forward to meeting you in person.

Applications and practical information

  • Please visit our Applications page for information about the application procedure, required materials, and selection process.

  • There is currently no application fee.

    This may change in future if we see a large volume of applicants.

  • We will carefully review all applications, paying particular attention to applicants who have clear goals for their time at the residency.

    Unique project proposals which make good use of the local environment and community will be seen particularly favourably.

  • Any creative discipline is welcome.

    Not just visual artists, but musicians, dancers, programmers, writers, researchers and anything in between.

    The one exception is that no artists making use of generative AI will be given a placement. This is an extremely firm rule; if you are discovered to be using generative AI in the creation of works while at Mayu, your residency will be terminated and your fee will be forfeited.

  • Not at all.

    We can provide full support in English to make sure your stay is comfortable.

    As you will be required to pass an interview during the second stage of selection, unfortunately we can currently only accept artists who speak either English or Japanese.

  • We understand that artist collaboration may require you to invite other artists to visit you, but as the residency building is shared with your hosts, please discuss all visits with your hosts before arranging them.

    We do allow you to bring your partner to stay with you for an extra fee, and they are welcome to stay for some or all of your residency period. This should be a committed partner, not a friend or acquaintance stopping by for a holiday.

  • Please contact us with any questions or concerns using this page.

    We are happy to answer any questions you might have about the residency, the local area, project feasibility, or the application process.

APPLY HERE

Home