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 2023.

2. RECRUITMENT DETAILS

1. Recruiting number of artists

   Around 10

2. Location

   Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

3. Duration

   For 2025 : Sep 15 (Mon) - Oct 28 (Tue), 2025
   (44 days, including arrival and departure days)

   For 2026 : Sep 14 (Mon) – Oct 27 (Tue), 2026
   (44 days, including arrival and departure days)

   *Please note that the dates for AAC 2026 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 15, 2025 or by Sep 14, 2026, respectively, and 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
   *8 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 several local schools
   *up to 12 shows during the period (1-2 shows a day)

   C）Participation in various sub-events
   - EXPO 2025 related event (outside venue)
   - Local events (outside venue)
   - Other events to be decided later
   *up to 3 shows during the period

   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 2025

   Arrival: Sep 15 (Mon), 2025
   Orientation: Sep 16 (Tue), 2025
   Rehearsal and Performance period: Sep 17 (Wed)～Oct 26 (Sun), 2025
   *1-2 days off every week
   Packing day, farewell party: Oct 27 (Mon), 2025
   Departure: Oct 28 (Tue), 2025

   Event Period AAC 2026

   Arrival: Sep 14 (Mon), 2026
   Orientation: Sep 15 (Tue), 2026
   Rehearsal and Performance period: Sep 16 (Wed)～Oct 25 (Sun), 2026
   *1-2 days off every week
   Departure: Oct 27 (Tue), 2026

   *Please note that the dates for AAC 2026 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 2026 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 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 200 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). Artists who are willing to break the barriers of existing genres as well as artists with interactive performance are welcome.
• 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.
• Artists 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. HOW TO APPLY

To apply please fill in this Online Google form. Don’t forget to upload your performance photos and mention the link with the video of your performance.

About application video. It shouldn’t be too edited to understand the contents of the performance (especially if you use words in your performance). If you are in a group, please send a video which shows the same number of performing members as you intend to arrive with. (e.x. you shouldn’t send us video of 25 participants if you apply with 3). The video should be clear, easy to understand, and impactful. Be aware that the quality of the video creates the image of your performance and that is the primary way of understanding your work.

8. APPLICATION
DEADLINE

Applications must arrive by March 14 (Fri), 2025, 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 14 (Fri), 2025, 11:00 PM JST (Japan Standard Time)
   • The results of the First Screening will be announced to all the applicants by mail in the middle of April.
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 April – first part of May 2025).
• The Organizer will conduct the interview and decide participating artists of AAC 2025 and 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
HP: https://en.awajiartscircus.com/

You can download Open Call from here.

Awaji Art Circus 2025 and 2026
Open Call