Main Venue: Old Kobayashi Pharmacy
1-20-9 Tateishi, Katsushika, Tokyo
Term I 27 January-1 February 2026 (Research and Performance)
Term II 17-23 February 2026 (Research, Exhibit, and Performance)
Term III 24-26 April 2026 (Exhibit and Workshop)
For more information, see Project page.
Organized by igkas project
Supported by Arts Council Tokyo (Startup Grant)
| Call for Applications |
| Lecture/Workshop |
| Introduction to Historical Research for Artistic Practice |
| In recent years, “research” has become an increasingly prominent concept in contemporary art. While many works created for local art festivals draw on “research” into the history and culture of their host communities, museums have exhibited socially engaged artworks grounded in sustained investigations of social issues. “Research-based art” is becoming established as one of the major approaches to artistic creation. “Research” requires a certain level of knowledge and skills. Yet there are currently few opportunities in Japan for artists to learn such knowledge and skills. Against this backdrop, this lecture/workshop focuses on the methodology of historical studies and explores the fundamental knowledge and practical techniques necessary for conducting “research” in artistic practice. |
| Number of Participants |
| Approximately 3–8 participants (free of charge) |
| *If the number of applicants exceeds capacity, participants will be selected based on the statement of interest submitted through the application form. |
| Eligibility |
| Artists and other individuals engaged in the arts and culture who have an interest in historical and cultural research. Applicants from all artistic and cultural fields are welcome. |
| Partial attendance and joining later in the series are welcome. Materials and other follow-up support will be provided for any sessions missed due to unavoidable circumstances. |
| Participants are responsible for their own transportation, meals, and other related expenses. Event insurance for in-person sessions will be arranged and covered by igkas project. |
| Application Process |
| Please complete and submit the online application form. |
| Application Deadline |
| Registration is required by 12:00 noon on the day before your first session. |
| *Selected participants will be notified by 10:00 PM on the same day. |
| Schedule |
| June 26 (Fri), 7:00–8:30 PM (Zoom Lecture) Session 1 – Orientation: What Is Research? |
| June 28 (Sun), 1:00–5:30 PM (In-Person Workshop) Session 2 – Going into the City in Search of Books: Secondary Sources and Comprehensive Survey *Meet in front of the ticket gates of JR Joban Line Kanamachi Station |
| July 3 (Fri), 7:00–8:30 PM (Zoom Lecture) Session 3 – What Are Primary Sources? Types of Historical Sources and Methods of Source Criticism |
| July 4 (Sat), 9:30 AM–12:00 PM, 2:30–4:30 PM (In-Person Workshop) Session 4 – Where Can Primary Sources Be Found? How to Use Archives *Meet in front of the ticket gates of JR Chuo Line Nishi-Kokubunji Station |
| July 10 (Fri), 7:00–8:30 PM (Zoom Lecture) Session 5 – Documents Are Not the Only Sources! Exploring the Diversity of Historical Sources |
| July 12 (Sun), 10:00 AM–2:30 PM (In-Person Workshop) Session 6 – Museums and Material Culture *Meet in front of the ticket gates of Keisei Main Line Ohanajaya Station |
| Moderators |
| Yoshiya Makita (Hitotsubashi University) Youju Ito (Shiseikan University) Shuichiro Higuma (PhD candidate, University of Tokyo) |
| Contact: networktrans.section@gmail.com |
Main Venue: Old Kobayashi Pharmacy
1-20-9 Tateishi, Katsushika, Tokyo
Term I 27 January-1 February 2026 (Research and Performance)
Term II 17-23 February 2026 (Research, Exhibit, and Performance)
Term III 24-26 April 2026 (Exhibit and Workshop)
For more information, see Project page.
Organized by igkas project
Supported by Arts Council Tokyo (Startup Grant)
| Call for Applications |
| Lecture/Workshop |
| Introduction to Historical Research for Artistic Practice |
| In recent years, “research” has become an increasingly prominent concept in contemporary art. While many works created for local art festivals draw on “research” into the history and culture of their host communities, museums have exhibited socially engaged artworks grounded in sustained investigations of social issues. “Research-based art” is becoming established as one of the major approaches to artistic creation. “Research” requires a certain level of knowledge and skills. Yet there are currently few opportunities in Japan for artists to learn such knowledge and skills. Against this backdrop, this lecture/workshop focuses on the methodology of historical studies and explores the fundamental knowledge and practical techniques necessary for conducting “research” in artistic practice. |
| Number of Participants |
| Approximately 3–8 participants (free of charge) |
| *If the number of applicants exceeds capacity, participants will be selected based on the statement of interest submitted through the application form. |
| Eligibility |
| Artists and other individuals engaged in the arts and culture who have an interest in historical and cultural research. Applicants from all artistic and cultural fields are welcome. |
| Partial attendance and joining later in the series are welcome. Materials and other follow-up support will be provided for any sessions missed due to unavoidable circumstances. |
| Participants are responsible for their own transportation, meals, and other related expenses. Event insurance for in-person sessions will be arranged and covered by igkas project. |
| Application Process |
| Please complete and submit the online application form. |
| Application Deadline |
| Registration is required by 12:00 noon on the day before your first session. |
| *Selected participants will be notified by 10:00 PM on the same day. |
| Schedule |
| June 26 (Fri), 7:00–8:30 PM (Zoom Lecture) Session 1 – Orientation: What Is Research? |
| June 28 (Sun), 1:00–5:30 PM (In-Person Workshop) Session 2 – Going into the City in Search of Books: Secondary Sources and Comprehensive Survey *Meet in front of the ticket gates of JR Joban Line Kanamachi Station |
| July 3 (Fri), 7:00–8:30 PM (Zoom Lecture) Session 3 – What Are Primary Sources? Types of Historical Sources and Methods of Source Criticism |
| July 4 (Sat), 9:30 AM–12:00 PM, 2:30–4:30 PM (In-Person Workshop) Session 4 – Where Can Primary Sources Be Found? How to Use Archives *Meet in front of the ticket gates of JR Chuo Line Nishi-Kokubunji Station |
| July 10 (Fri), 7:00–8:30 PM (Zoom Lecture) Session 5 – Documents Are Not the Only Sources! Exploring the Diversity of Historical Sources |
| July 12 (Sun), 10:00 AM–2:30 PM (In-Person Workshop) Session 6 – Museums and Material Culture *Meet in front of the ticket gates of Keisei Main Line Ohanajaya Station |
| Moderators |
| Yoshiya Makita (Hitotsubashi University) Youju Ito (Shiseikan University) Shuichiro Higuma (PhD candidate, University of Tokyo) |
| Contact: networktrans.section@gmail.com |
Main Venue: Old Kobayashi Pharmacy
1-20-9 Tateishi, Katsushika, Tokyo
Term I 27 January-1 February 2026
Term II 17-23 February 2026
Term III 24-26 April 2026
For more information, see Project page.
Organized by igkas project
Supported by Arts Council Tokyo (Startup Grant)
| Call for Applications |
| Lecture/Workshop |
| Introduction to Historical Research for Artistic Practice |
| In recent years, “research” has become an increasingly prominent concept in contemporary art. While many works created for local art festivals draw on “research” into the history and culture of their host communities, museums have exhibited socially engaged artworks grounded in sustained investigations of social issues. “Research-based art” is becoming established as one of the major approaches to artistic creation. “Research” requires a certain level of knowledge and skills. Yet there are currently few opportunities in Japan for artists to learn such knowledge and skills. Against this backdrop, this lecture/workshop focuses on the methodology of historical studies and explores the fundamental knowledge and practical techniques necessary for conducting “research” in artistic practice. |
| Number of Participants |
| Approximately 3–8 participants (free of charge) |
| *If the number of applicants exceeds capacity, participants will be selected based on the statement of interest submitted through the application form. |
| Eligibility |
| Artists and other individuals engaged in the arts and culture who have an interest in historical and cultural research. Applicants from all artistic and cultural fields are welcome. |
| Partial attendance and joining later in the series are welcome. Materials and other follow-up support will be provided for any sessions missed due to unavoidable circumstances. |
| Participants are responsible for their own transportation, meals, and other related expenses. Event insurance for in-person sessions will be arranged and covered by igkas project. |
| Application Process |
| Please complete and submit the online application form. |
| Application Deadline |
| Registration is required by 12:00 noon on the day before your first session. |
| *Selected participants will be notified by 10:00 PM on the same day. |
| Schedule |
| June 26 (Fri), 7:00–8:30 PM (Zoom Lecture) Session 1 – Orientation: What Is Research? |
| June 28 (Sun), 1:00–5:30 PM (In-Person Workshop) Session 2 – Going into the City in Search of Books: Secondary Sources and Comprehensive Survey *Meet in front of the ticket gates of JR Joban Line Kanamachi Station |
| July 3 (Fri), 7:00–8:30 PM (Zoom Lecture) Session 3 – What Are Primary Sources? Types of Historical Sources and Methods of Source Criticism |
| July 4 (Sat), 9:30 AM–12:00 PM, 2:30–4:30 PM (In-Person Workshop) Session 4 – Where Can Primary Sources Be Found? How to Use Archives *Meet in front of the ticket gates of JR Chuo Line Nishi-Kokubunji Station |
| July 10 (Fri), 7:00–8:30 PM (Zoom Lecture) Session 5 – Documents Are Not the Only Sources! Exploring the Diversity of Historical Sources |
| July 12 (Sun), 10:00 AM–2:30 PM (In-Person Workshop) Session 6 – Museums and Material Culture *Meet in front of the ticket gates of Keisei Main Line Ohanajaya Station |
| Moderators |
| Yoshiya Makita (Hitotsubashi University) Youju Ito (Shiseikan University) Shuichiro Higuma (PhD candidate, University of Tokyo) |
| Contact: networktrans.section@gmail.com |