PAJ Europe 2021-2022: Japan Foundation invites Proposals

Deadline: 02-Nov-20

The Japan Foundation is now accepting proposals for the 2021-2022 Performing Arts Japan Programme for Europe (PAJ Europe).

Performing Arts Japan Programme for Europe (PAJ Europe) was started by the Japan Foundation in 2006 to revitalise and facilitate the exchange between leading artists in Europe and Japan. The main feature of this scheme is that this grant will be made available to those organisers based in Europe who are planning to organise Japan-related performing arts projects in European regions.

Objectives

The primary objectives of PAJ Europe are:

• To support the effective introduction of carefully selected Japanese performing arts projects that have a plan for an even geographic coverage across Europe.
• To assist well-envisioned Europe-Japan collaborative projects through the creational phases of new works.
• To encourage educational and outreach activities in addition to the actual performances, such as workshops and residency activities; to acquaint European audiences with Japanese performing arts in the context of their history, culture and development.

Funding Information

• The grant amount provided by PAJ Europe can vary according to each application. The maximum amount awarded to an application for the year 2020-2021 was €16,000.

Categories

The PAJ Europe programme comprises of the following two categories:

• TOURING GRANT: assists the presentation process of Japan-related performing arts projects in which the Japanese artist is included in the tour at multiple cities in Europe, with emphasis on locations outside major capital cities where there is no regular exposure to Japanese performing arts.
• COLLABORATION GRANT: assists the development stage of a project in which Japanese and European artists work collaboratively in order to create a new work through research, residencies, artists’ discussions etc., that has the potential of being developed into a touring project in the future, enhancing the understanding of Japanese culture when presented to European audiences.

Grant Coverage

For both TOURING GRANT and COLLABORATION GRANT

PAJ grant is only applicable to cover the following costs for the project that takes place during the eligible funding period (April 2021 – June 2022):

• Expenses for invited Japanese artists/professionals:
  • International airfare (discounted economy class)
  • Travel costs within Europe (deemed appropriate)
  • Lodging and Per Diems
  • Freight
• Expenses for the Translator/Interpreter:
  • Translation and interpreting costs (between Japanese and European languages) related to the project
  • Grants are made on a cost-sharing basis. PAJ Europe will not fund more than 50% of the total project costs, nor will it fund overheads and/or administrative costs of the applicant organisation such as an employee’s salary.
  • The grant amount provided by PAJ Europe can vary according to each application. The maximum amount awarded to an application for the year 2020-2021 was €16,000.
  • Costs relating to activities outside the eligible PAJ European countries will not be covered by PAJ.

For TOURING GRANT only

• PAJ Europe will only fund the costs incurred during the performance stage of a performing arts tour. Costs related to the research and development of a tour will not be covered by the Touring grant.

For COLLABORATION GRANT only:

•  PAJ Europe will only fund the costs incurred during the development process of creating new works. Costs for the public presentation of a completed work, including its rehearsal, as a result of the collaboration, will not be covered by the Collaboration grant.

Eligibility Criteria

• The purpose of the project must be to present Japanese performing arts and/or to conduct Europe-Japan artistic collaborations in the field of the performing arts.
• The project must take place between 1st April 2021 and 30th June 2022.
• Applications can be accepted from performing arts-related organisations, such as festivals, theatres, or arts promotion companies which are based in the list of eligible PAJ European countries.
• Applicants can submit only one application for consideration and this must be for either the Touring category or the Collaboration category.
• The project must be undertaken by professional artists. Non-professional members can be included only if the objective of the project is to present performing arts of high quality and not to train or educate the members.
• Commitments to the project must be secured from the venues and the artists/professionals concerned at the time of application.
• The project must not be used for religious or political purposes.
• In the case of an adaptation, the copyright arrangements concerning the original work must have already been completed. The applicant is also requested to attach a copy of the documents which prove that the applicant has already cleared the copyright.
• For TOURING GRANT only:
  • The project must tour at least two locations in the listed eligible PAJ European countries. Multiple venues in the same city are considered to be one location.
  • Application for the grant must be made by one representative on behalf of an organisation or group of collaborative organisations which plan to organise the tour together.
• For COLLABORATION GRANT only:
  • The project must be for the development process of creating a new work jointly explored by Japanese and European artists.
  • Revivals of existing pieces and the creation of recorded products are ineligible for this programme.

Assesment Criteria

TOURING GRANT

Below is a list of criteria by which each application will be assessed.

•  Artistic quality of the project
• Artists’ proficiency and achievements to date
•  Impact on audiences and the performing arts scene in Europe
•  Geographic reach
• Feasibility of project implementation
•  Propriety and adequacy of the planned project
•  Strength of educational and outreach activities
•  Capacity to provide future continuity
•  Cost effectiveness

In addition, priority will be given to projects that meet the following criteria:

• Projects that involve Japanese artists based in Japan
• Projects created through past PAJ Collaboration grants
• Projects which will tour at least two European countries
• Projects implemented in countries which are expected to expand the PAJ Europe network in terms of Touring and Collaboration, besides countries such as France, UK, Germany and Italy where a sufficient number of applications are constantly received every year
• Projects where the applicants can afford to cover some of the expense items that are included in the PAJ grant coverage
• Projects which are of high quality or that aim to introduce the latest trends in Japanese performing arts
• Projects related to important international festivals, or major diplomatic anniversary events. Please consult the relevant Japan Foundation office in Europe for further information about the forthcoming year’s anniversary events.

COLLABORATION GRANT

Below is a list of criteria by which each application will be assessed.

•  Dynamic interaction between Japanese and European artists
•  Artists’ proficiency and achievements to date
•  Cost effectiveness
•  Feasibility of project implementation
•  Artistic quality expected of new work potentially created as a result of the collaboration
• Potential to develop into a Touring project in the future
• Expected impact on audiences and the performing arts scene if presented in the future
• Propriety and adequacy of the planned project
• Strength of educational and outreach activities

In addition, priority will be given to projects that meet the following criteria:

• Projects that involve Japanese artists based in Japan
• Projects implemented in countries which are expected to expand the PAJ Europe network in terms of Touring and Collaboration, besides countries such as France, UK, Germany and Italy where a sufficient number of applications are constantly received every year
• Projects where the applicants can afford to cover some of the expense items that are included in the PAJ grant coverage
•  Projects which are of high quality or that aim to introduce the latest trends in Japanese performing arts
• Projects related to important international festivals, commemorative cultural events, or major diplomatic anniversary events.

For more information, visit https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/project/culture/perform/supportlist_perform/paj/PAJ.html