About
Mission
JUMP: Global Collaboration Program for Emerging Artists and Curators from Japan is a program to support Japanese emerging artists and curators on the world stage. Program participants will gain knowledge and experience in collaborating internationally by creating and exhibiting works overseas.
Furthermore, by building a sustainable network of art experts inside and outside of Japan, the program aims to create opportunities for the next generation of talent to thrive globally and to contribute to the advancement of Japan's contemporary art on the international art scene.
Program
In the JUMP program, in cooperation with foreign art museums, the participating artists and curators create works based on research that they conduct in the host region and then exhibit their work at the overseas museum. After the exhibition overseas, the work is to be shown at an appropriate art museum in Japan.
Organized by: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, Japan Arts Council, National Museum of Art
The Japan Creator Support Fund is dedicated to empowering the limitless potential of Japan’s talented creators and artists, helping them thrive both in Japan and on the global stage. This project covers a wide range of fields, from manga, anime, games, visual arts, film, and music, to performing arts and traditional arts. Over 500 young creators are already participating, exploring new possibilities and promoting culture both in Japan and overseas.
https://creator.ntj.jac.go.jp
Participants and museums
In the JUMP program, three teams of participants carry out their research and creative endeavors in their respective cities.
Lisbon - Yamaguchi
Artist
Curator
Museum
![Photo of Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media [YCAM]](https://jump-ncar.artmuseums.go.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ph_members_ycam-800x533.jpg)
Los Angeles - Kochi
Artist
Curator
Sydney - Shiga
Artist
Curator
Forming the teams
National Center for Arts Research (NCAR) began by contacting a number of museums in other countries. Three museums—located in Lisbon, Los Angeles, and Sydney—decided to participate. These cities have deep historical and cultural ties to Japan, and offer environments that are suitable for creating research-based works of art. The museums are also actively involved in introducing contemporary art to the public and in supporting artists’ creative endeavors.
Next, the curators were chosen through an open call to young curators who were working at art museums around Japan. The selected curators’ specializations and factors including the nature of each museum’s activities were taken into consideration to decide the overseas museum where each curator would be assigned.
The curator assigned to each team then proposed several emerging artists from Japan, making the final choice through consultation with the museum.
Five actions
Along with supporting the participating artists and curators, the objective of JUMP is to broadly share the knowledge gained through the program with people involved in the creation of contemporary art through the following five actions.
Create and exhibit works overseas
Artists and curators engage in the entire process from conducting research to exhibiting works in environments that differ from Japan in terms of facility constraints, audience tastes, and museum organization. Through these collaborations, they build lasting relationships that can lead to further international activity.
Absorb practical advice
Mentors acting as advisors provide practical advice on topics such as how to write presentations and text to effectively communicate the substance and concepts behind works. They also give tips for coordinating and negotiating with organizations overseas.
Cultivate international perspective
Participants gain a deeper understanding of the history and social environment of the region through study and mentoring. To broaden their international perspective, they network with curators based outside Japan, and visit local museums and other cultural facilities.
Share knowledge
Speaker events create spaces for dialogue and exchange, where curators and artists share their creative processes and experiences. JUMP activities will also be posted online to strengthen the community of art professionals aspiring to a global role.
Publish
A publication sharing useful information for contemporary art professionals aiming to work abroad will document JUMP’s activities and know-how.
Title & logo
Logo design: Abe Kota
The “JUMP” in the program title expresses the hope that it will help participating artists and curators to transcend borders and cultural differences, build global connections, and find their way in an international context. The elastic form of the logo conveys the idea of gracefully and effortlessly jumping over every sort of boundary.