1. AAC OBJECTIVE

Based in Awaji Island, AAC has three distinct missions:

1 ) One is to bring about increase in population flow and local economic consumption leading to regional vitalization whilst utilizing local resources.

2 ) The other is to let the world know the appeals of Awaji Island and more broadly Japan. AAC aims to become a new local tourism attraction and attract people from within and outside of Awaji Island.

3 ) Last but not least, to develop art and culture on Awaji Island and to create a chance for Japanese people to get to know international art of different genres.

To have an image of the festival, you can check the highlights of Awaji Art Circus 2025.

2. RECRUITMENT DETAILS

1. Recruiting number of artists

   Around 10

2. Location

   Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

3. Duration

   Only artists who can stay for the entire period should apply.

   For 2026 : Sep 12 (Sat) - Nov 10 (Tue), 2026
   (60 days, including arrival and departure days)

   For 2027 : Sep 11 (Sat) – Nov 9 (Tue), 2027
   (60 days, including arrival and departure days)

   *Please note that the dates for AAC 2027 are subject to possible change. By applying to participate, you acknowledge and agree to this possibility. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

   **You will be expected to arrive at Kansai International Airport by Sep 12, 2026 or Sep 11, 2027 respectively, stay for the entire duration of the period.

4. Work content

   A）Main content: Awaji Art Circus original theatrical Show
   - Perform a version of their own original act, adjusted to the theme and content of the show (up to 4 minutes)
   - Participate in group numbers together with all other artists (acrobatic/juggling/dance numbers) and final dance
   - Participate in the connections between the numbers in the show
   *12 shows during the period

   B）Performances at local schools
   All artists will be asked to perform a pre-prepared act (up to 5 minutes, depending on genre) in a concert style show at local schools
   *up to 13 shows during the period (1-2 shows a day)

   C）Participation in various sub-events
   - Local events (outside and inside venues)
   *up to 3 shows during the period
   - Talk event with the audience in English

   Note：

   Performance frequency. In general, participants will perform once-twice per performing day.

   D）Participate in the rehearsals and meetings held by the organizer. (rehearsals will be generally held from morning until evening. On some days, you may be required to wait for several hours before your turn, and during that time you may spend your time freely).

   E）Participate in cultural learning and local sightseeing activities (some free days will be spent on these activities)

   F）Share and post information about Awaji Art Circus on social media. We will ask you to create posts and share information on social media (Facebook, Instagram, blog etc.) about your daily experiences on Awaji Island and as a performer in the show. Sometimes, we will provide you with information that we would like for you to post or share.

3. OVERVIEW

1. Event Period

   Event Period AAC 2026

   Arrival: Sep 12 (Sat)
   Orientation: Sep 13 (sun)
   Rehearsal and Performance period: Sep 14 (Mon)～Nov 8 (Sun)
   *1-2 days off every week
   Packing day: Nov 9 (Mon)
   Departure: Nov 10 (Tue)

   Event Period AAC 2027

   Arrival: Sep 11 (Sat)
   Orientation: Sep 12 (Sun)
   Rehearsal and Performance period: Sep 13 (Mon)～Nov 7 (Sun)
   *1-2 days off every week
   Packing day: Nov 8 (Mon)
   Departure: Nov 9 (Tue)

   *Please note that the dates for AAC 2027 are subject to possible change.

2. Venue

   ● Main Venue: Concert hall with linoleum floor (the stage length 9m x depth 5m x heigh 4.5m (for aerials: rigging point is 10 m high, but acting area is only 4.5 m high)

   *Please note, that the venue for AAC 2027 may be a different one.

   ● School performances: school gym (wooden floor, stage length 10m x depth 6m x height 6m).

   *No rigging point for aerials, please prepare ground act.

   ● Sub-events: outside or inside stage (the details depend on the event)

   *No rigging point for aerials, please prepare ground act.

3. Aerial equipment

   Electric winch with lifting power around 400 kg (impossible for big dynamic drops). Aerial artists will need to adapt their performances to the technical capabilities and possibilities of the venue and equipment. For example, due to the lighting bars, only movements from left to right are possible. Circular movements in the air are not feasible.

4. Transportation

   Transportation between accommodation and performance venues will be via AAC bus or by car. Time on the road usually varies from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.

4. SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZER

5. WHAT ELSE WILL YOU GET?

• Become a member of Awaji Art Circus Family – A heartwarming network of artists from various countries, genres and backgrounds. What does this mean? You will have jams, collaborations and family atmosphere throughout the Festival as well as supportive friends from all over the world who may become your lifetime buddies after the Festival! Since 2015, we have generated more than 250 Awaji Family Members, and the network will continue to grow!
• Stay right in the heart of Awaji Island`s nature, enjoying its incredible environment with breathtaking sceneries.
• Get to know all the magic of Japan from inside, enjoy delicious traditional Japanese meals.
• Go on free tours around Awaji Island, visiting its key touristic venues.
• Enjoy interacting with local people. They will capture your hearts immediately, both adults and children.

Be a part of this incredible art journey that will surprise you every single day with its uniqueness!

6. ELIGIBILITY

To apply, you must meet all the following criteria:

• Open to artists of different circus and other performing physical disciplines (except work with fire).
• We welcome artists working across multiple genres.
• For all artists, dancing skills are desirable, as we plan to include group dance numbers into the theatrical show).
• For Aerial artists, please apply only if you can perform a full independent ground act in addition to your aerial performance (as we do not have rigging equipment at schools and other event venues).
• Artists who can communicate in English.
• Open to all artists over 18 years old.
• Individuals and Groups (up to 3 members).
• Artists who can adjust their performance to the show and to suit any performance venue.
• Performance which is offensive to public order and morals, dangerous performance, performance with acts which cause inconvenience to a third party, performance which is unjustly cruel to animals, performance which uses motorcycle, performance which may be partial to certain religion/belief and performance with political assertion are not eligible.
• Artists who are willing to write about Awaji Island as well as their everyday experience and performance on Facebook, Instagram, personal blog, etc.
• Artists who are interested in Japan, Japanese culture and livelihood etc.
• Artists who are interested in regional vitalization, local economic development etc.
• Artists who can proactively communicate with other artists, local residents and visitors.
• Previous years performers are welcome to apply on a regular basis.

*Items not defined in the Open Call shall be decided by the Organizer upon consultation with artists.

If you meet all aforementioned criteria and are ready to contribute your energy to Awaji Island, we await your application!

7. APPLICATION PROCESS AND APPLICATION FEE

Due to the development of the festival, growing interest from artists, and an increase in the number of applicants, we will introduce an application fee starting this year to support the sustainable operation of the project.

Application fee: 35 USD

After completing the payment via the URL below, please proceed to the Application Form. There is no link to the Application Form in this Open Call. The link to the Application Form will appear only after the payment is completed. Payment can be made by credit card or debit card.

*If your card is not accepted by international payment systems due to political restrictions beyond the cardholder’s control, please feel free to contact us by email at: 4awajiartcircus@gmail.com. We will find a solution together.

Please be prepared to complete the Application Form during 48 hours after completing the payment (it takes approximately 30-45 minutes to fill out the Form). Please save the link of the Application Form (for example, in your notes) as it will be shown only 1 time. You can find the list of the questions from the Form at the end of the Open Call.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED ONLY AFTER PAYMENT IS COMPLETED.

Important Notes

8. APPLICATION
DEADLINE

Applications must arrive by March 2 (Mon), 2026, 11:00 PM JST (Japan Standard Time)

*Please note applications will not be accepted after the deadline under any circumstances.

9. SELECTION PROCESS

1. First screening : Application material screening
   • Deadline for application submission is March 2 (Mon), 2026, 11:00 PM JST (Japan Standard Time)
   • The results of the First Screening will be announced to all the applicants by mail in the second part of March.
2. Second screening : Online interview
• The date and the time of Zoom Interview will be discussed with successful applicants of the first screening (planned to take place in second part of March – first part of April 2026).
• The Organizer will conduct the interview and decide participating artists of AAC 2026 upon consideration of the First and Second screening.

10. SELECTION CRITERIA

1. The originality, professionalism, sense of showmanship and suitability of the performance, given the Japanese audience (including children) and the Awaji Island environment.
2. The transportability of the performance and its adaptability to a range of locations and conditions.
3. The motivation of the artists to participate in the festival and their level of understanding of our goals and missions.
4. The communicative skills and flexibility of the members.

11. VISA INFORMATION

Certificate of Eligibility required for obtaining visa will be issued by the Organizer and mailed to the artist, and in turn the artist shall go through the visa acquisition process at the embassy of his/her own country. The Organizer will cover the visa issuance fee and fee for transportation to the Embassy, in case the receipt is provided. Issuance expense for Certificate of Eligibility in Japan will be paid by the Organizer.

12. CONTACT INFORMATION

Awaji Art Circus Executive Committee
E-mail: 4awajiartcircus@gmail.com
Website: https://en.awajiartscircus.com/

13. QUESTIONS FROM THE APPLICATION FORM

(The link to the Application Form will appear only after the payment is completed. We recommend preparing your answers before filling out the Application Form.）

Technical performance information

Contact information of the person in charge

You can download Open Call from here.

Awaji Art Circus 2026 and 2027
Open Call