ARTISTS PROGRAMS

Creative work rooted in nature, farming, sustainability, and education

About the Program

The Artist Programs at the Midori Farm Kyoto Learning Center support artists in connecting the work of the farm with wider audiences through art and creative practice.

The program is primarily focused on children’s picture book creation, including illustration, writing, and research developed through work at the farm.
We also welcome related creative practices and exploratory work beyond existing programs, such as photography, media, documentation, and research-based projects.

Artists may participate on-site at the farm, remotely, or through a hybrid format, depending on the project and timing.

Who This Program Is For

This program is suited to:

picture book illustrators and writers
visual artists and storytellers
educators and researchers working creatively
early-career artists developing a body of work
established artists seeking time, context, or collaboration

Artists may be based in Japan or internationally.

What Artists Work On

Projects vary by artist and by season, but may include:

developing children’s picture books connected to farming and sustainability
illustration, writing, editing, or concept development
research and observation connected to farm life and food systems
testing ideas or materials with children (when appropriate)
collaboration with educators, interns, or visiting groups
documentation, media creation, or outreach related to creative work

Projects are real, and outcomes matter, but expectations are set within a supportive learning environment.

How Participation Works

Artists may participate:

On-site: spending time living and working at the farm in rural Kyoto
Remotely: developing projects from another location
Hybrid: combining on-site time with remote work

Length of participation and structure are flexible and discussed individually.

Some artists choose to use crowdfunding to support their creative work or participation costs.

Details about this option are available through the Midori Farm Corral — Crowdfunding page.

Practical Details

For artists participating on-site, a contribution may be requested to help cover shared living costs such as rent and utilities. Participants are generally responsible for providing much of their own food.

Program or residency fees may also apply to help cover shared tools and platforms (such as Canva), initial printing or production setup, and other operational costs.

Specific details are discussed individually, depending on the length and nature of participation.

Creative Rights & Publishing

Artists retain ownership of their original artwork and creative materials.

For picture books and other shareable content created through the program, licensing and publishing rights are held by Midori Farm Kyoto Learning Center, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Learning Center Connection

The Artist Programs are part of the broader Midori Farm Kyoto Learning Center, alongside:

Programs often overlap, and artists may interact with interns, educators, or visiting groups during their participation.

Next Steps

If you are interested in participating as an artist, we invite you to get in touch to discuss your project, timing, and participation format.

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