NOW OPEN
Digital & AI Art Prize (Open Call Contest) — Now Accepting Entries
An open-call prize for digital art and AI art. Entries can be submitted online as digital files, and artists of any age, from Japan and abroad, are welcome to take part. The entry deadline is December 31, 2026 (JST).
- Free to enter
- Open worldwide, any age
- Professionals & amateurs welcome
- Online entry with digital files
- Prizes: art supplies & equipment worth up to ¥300,000
- Deadline: December 31, 2026
Free Art Space KYOTO is a fee-free gallery that opened in Kyoto, Japan on June 27, 2026, dedicated to providing exhibition opportunities for digital artists. Our space accommodates the full spectrum of contemporary digital expression — from digital painting and AI-generated art to video, music, and 3D-printed works.
Philosophy
From Kyoto to the World — A New Cultural Hub Where Digital and Analog Converge
Vision
- Free Art Gallery — Exhibition space for digital artists, as well as student artists working in any medium
- No Exhibition Fees — Complimentary use of the space, plus promotional support including DM, pamphlet and poster printing subsidies, web promotion, large-format digital signage, and tablet lending
- Permanent Collection — A curated selection of digital artworks from the gallery's own collection on continuous display
- Cultural Catalyst — Revitalizing local culture and establishing Kyoto as a new face of international digital art
Pioneering Initiatives
- Digital × Analog Convergence — Materializing and experiencing digital and AI-generated works as tangible art objects
- Immersive Multisensory Spaces — Art that engages all five senses through music, video, and spatial design
EVOLUTION OF ART
From Hand to Digital, and Back to Physical Intelligence.
Human x Analog
Embodiment & Intuition
The feel of the brush, the scent of paint. The origin of pure creation, where the human hand touches the canvas directly — painting with spontaneity and passion.
Human x Digital
Efficiency & Expansion
Freedom from physical constraints. Unlimited revisions, endless experiments in color. An era of mastering technology as a tool to accelerate creativity.
Android x Physical
Autonomy & Return
AI acquires a physical body. Intelligence that once existed only as data takes up the brush once more — the arrival point of a future where art returns to the physical world.
Features
The Heart of Digital × Analog Convergence
From "one among millions of images on a screen" to "a singular work that exists in the real world"
Giclée Printing & Analog Expression Born from Digital Vision
Digital works and AI-generated pieces are materialized as lasting art objects through canvas printing and other fine-art reproduction techniques.
3D Printing & Handcraft: Digital Imagery Made Tangible
Sculptural works and installations that bridge the gap between virtual conception and physical form.
Music & Video Integration
Digital signage, projection mapping, and multimedia staging immerse visitors in the artist's creative universe.
Interactive Experiences
Touchscreen terminals and responsive installations invite visitors into dialogue with the artwork.
Exhibition Space
A renovated former factory and warehouse. Raw steel beams and expansive volumes create a powerful dialogue between industrial architecture and contemporary art.
Strictly No Smoking / No Open FlamesFree Exhibition & Studio Area
A dynamic exhibition space that harnesses the warehouse's generous ceiling height and open volume. The industrial character provides a compelling counterpoint to digital art.
- Free exhibition and studio area (approx. 80 m²)
- Open warehouse-style gallery with complimentary use
- Large roller-shutter entrance with high ceilings — ideal for oversized works and video projection
- Easy load-in and load-out access
- Accommodates large-scale works and installations
Permanent Collection & Office
A composed viewing environment for thoughtful engagement with art. Digital and analog works coexist alongside video and sound-based pieces.
- Permanent collection gallery (approx. 80 m²)
- Digital art, painting, and works requiring careful presentation
Free Exhibition
All exhibitions are free of charge.
* Subject to curatorial review
Free Art Space KYOTO exists to support digital artists and student artists (including those working in traditional media). Exhibition use is provided at no cost to the artist.
Exhibition Period
One to two cycles per exhibition.
(Setup: Wed / Open: Thu–Sun / Takedown: Sun)
Gallery Management
Exhibiting artists are responsible for on-site management during open hours. The gallery cannot be left unattended during exhibition periods.
Exhibition Scale
As a rule, your body of work must fill at least half of the 1F free exhibition area (approx. 80 m²) — this is a solo-exhibition format.
* Applications consisting of only a few works cannot be accepted — whether digital files or physical pieces. This gallery is a physical exhibition venue: we do not display submitted digital files on screens on the artist's behalf.
Review Criteria
- Selection is made by the gallery's curatorial team and operating company.
- All submitted works are reviewed via digital image files or photographs of printed/installed pieces.
- Review deliberations are confidential.
- Round 1 — Document and portfolio review (approx. 14 days)
- Round 2 — Interview, in-person or online (timeline varies by content)
- * Only successful applicants will be notified.
- Works that contravene public decency or are of an antisocial nature cannot be exhibited.
Sales of Works
The gallery is primarily an exhibition venue. Artists wishing to sell works may do so on a case-by-case basis — for example, a 10% commission or a contribution toward venue costs. Terms vary according to pricing, number of works, and other factors. The quality of the work and any sales intentions are considered during the review process.
Photography Policy
As a condition of exhibition, visitor photography and social media sharing are permitted and encouraged.
Important Notes — Please Read Before Applying
- Preferred Exhibition Period — Applications must be for dates at least one month after the application date. All dates and times are in Japan Standard Time (JST). Please check the Exhibition Schedule and plan your installation, exhibition period, and takedown as one complete set.
- Delivery of Works — There is no resident staff at the Kyoto venue, so we cannot receive packages sent by courier, post, or international shipping. All works must be brought to and removed from the venue in person by the exhibitor (or their team).
- Sound Restrictions — The venue is located in a residential area. Loud audio playback is not permitted; please plan for low-volume audio or headphone-based listening.
- Fire Safety Regulations — Open flames are strictly prohibited throughout the building. There are restrictions on flammable materials and evacuation routes must be kept clear. Please inform us in advance of the materials, sizes, and installation methods of your works.
* Regulations are particularly strict for enclosed or immersive structures that surround the visitor's entire body. - Prohibited Content — Under Japanese law and public decency standards, works containing sexual or violent expression cannot be exhibited. If any of your works may fall under this category, we will ask to review images in advance.
Eligible Artists
Digital Artists
Individual artists or groups of any age working with digital technologies — including digital painting, AI-generated art, video, 3D-printed works, and interactive installations.
* Subject to curatorial review
Student Artists
Individual student artists (valid student ID required, any age) or student groups from art universities, colleges, and vocational schools. No restriction on medium — traditional painting, sculpture, and other analog practices are welcome.
* Subject to curatorial review
From Application to Your Solo Exhibition, in Manga
Tap a thumbnail to open that manga in a new window.
Hours & Schedule
Irregular schedule (check this website for updates)
* Standard opening days and hours are adjustable upon consultation with the exhibiting artist.
* Exhibition applications must be for dates at least one month after the application date. All dates and times are in Japan Standard Time (JST).
Free Art Gallery
- Schedule varies by exhibition
- Dates are coordinated with the exhibiting artist.
Upcoming Exhibitions
To be announced
Permanent Collection
- Viewable during Free Art Gallery open hours.
- Private viewings available by online appointment — access code and smart lock entry provided.
Access
Location
- Address
- Kisshoin Miyanohigashi-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto (adjacent to Miyanomori Park)
- Nearest Stations
- JR Nishioji Station — 14 min walk
Hankyu Nishikyogoku Station — 18 min walk - Parking
- On-site parking is reserved for artwork load-in / load-out only
* Please use public transportation or nearby paid parking facilities when visiting.
Nearby Landmarks
- Miyanomori Park (immediately adjacent)
- Ayahadio Kisshoin Hachijo Store
- Yamada Denki Techland Kyoto Kisshoin Store
Support System
Your exhibition can be simultaneously featured on our gallery website.
Your work remains on our website even after the exhibition ends.
Printing cost subsidies for exhibition DMs, pamphlets, and posters.
For artists who have exhibited at Free Art Space KYOTO
Artist Development Program for Digital Creators with Talent and Dedication
Two Support Phases
Open Call & Selection
- Exhibition evaluation at Free Art Space KYOTO
- In-person or online interview (Zoom, etc.)
Production & Exhibition Support
* The following are examples; support may vary by project.
- Additional exhibition opportunities at the gallery
- Subsidies for analog output and printing costs
- Access to studio / production space
- Printing support for artist catalogues and portfolios
- Artist and work featured on the gallery website
NOW OPEN
Digital & AI Art Prize (Open Call Contest) — Now Accepting Entries
An open-call prize for digital art and AI art. Entries can be submitted online as digital files, and artists of any age, from Japan and abroad, are welcome to take part. The entry deadline is December 31, 2026 (JST).
- Free to enter
- Open worldwide, any age
- Professionals & amateurs welcome
- Online entry with digital files
- Prizes: art supplies & equipment worth up to ¥300,000
- Deadline: December 31, 2026
Exhibition Application
Submit your work images and artist statement through our application system.
Before You Apply — Please Read Carefully
Free Art Space KYOTO is not an online gallery, and this is not an open call for digital files. We provide a free physical venue in Kyoto, Japan for a self-managed solo exhibition. Sending a few digital artworks will not result in them being exhibited.
If you would like to present a small number of digital works only, please consider our Digital & AI Art Prize instead.
Please confirm all three items below to unlock the application form:
The application form below is locked until all three boxes are checked.