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).
1000 new grants and donors
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:
View and receiving grant information
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.
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.
Funding Information
Deadline Free Grants
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.
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.
Grant Coverage
We cover grants
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
Experience Grant Mapping
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.
Assesment Criteria
TOURING GRANT
Improve Your Proposal Writing
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