Steam Gallery at The japan foundation, los angeles   

Overview

Steam Gallery at The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles (alternatively, Steam Gallery at JFLA) was established in February 2026 as a space where artists, independent curators, clubs and societies, schools, and cultural institutions might present exhibitions that are related to Japan and Japanese culture. The JFLA Arts & Culture team invites anyone who is interested in organizing an exhibit to submit an application at the link below.

Apply to exhibit in Steam Gallery at The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles

Past Exhibitions:
Guardians of Beringia: Kami Kamuy - A Ceramic Retrospective on Ainu, Shinto, and Native American Spirit Worlds

Eligibility Requirements

1. Applications can be accepted only for projects that are directly related to Japan and its culture.

2. The applicant’s project must encourage further understanding of Japanese arts and culture, or present collaborations between Japan and other nations through visual media.

3. Applicants must be available to install/deinstall the exhibition and to conduct any events related to the exhibition.

Ineligibility

1. Applicants who have already exhibited at JFLA in the past three (3) years.

2. Projects that are related to political activities, religious activities, social welfare activities, fundraising and charity activities, and commercial activities.

Exhibitor Responsibilities

If an application is approved, the Applicant will be designated as an Exhibitor. The Exhibitor, in addition to bearing the costs associated with the project, is responsible for the following:

• Curating a project that has a deep connection to Japan and its culture.
• Proposing possible project dates (3-5 weeks in length).
• Transporting selected works to and from JFLA before and after the project period.
• Installing and deinstalling the project in the Steam Gallery at The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, space.
• Creating promotional images and text for JFLA webpage, digital flyers, and social media (templates will be provided).
• Organizing an opening reception, exhibition walkthroughs, and related events at own expense, if needed, during JFLA's regular office hours (Monday-Friday 12-6 pm, Saturday 10 am-3 pm).
• Sales are permitted through Steam Gallery at JFLA exhibitions, but all communication must be conducted directly between Exhibitor and Purchaser.

JFLA Responsibilities

If an Applicant is invited to exhibit in Steam Gallery at The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, JFLA is responsible for the following : 

• Providing Steam Gallery at The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, and a desk.
• Approving the project proposal and dates.
• Supplying display cases, pedestals, and shelves, if needed and if available.
• Promoting the project and related events on the JFLA webpage (jflalc.org), through our mailing list (~6000 contacts), and on social media.
• Opening and closing the project daily during regular JFLA office hours.
• Authenticating support for the project by The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, through a Certificate of Exhibition.

Review Criteria

1. Strength of project

2. Availability for install, deinstall, and related events

3. Organizational ability to complete the project

4. Accessibility by a diverse audience

5. Artistic quality of project (as demonstrated by the work samples submitted and the artists’ record of professional achievement) 


The Application

Applicants must submit their project proposal and supporting documents through the provided link: Apply to exhibit in Steam Gallery at The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles.

Please inform JFLACulture@jpf.go.jp that you have submitted a proposal for Steam Gallery at The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles. Subject line must be "Application Steam Gallery at JFLA (APPLICANT NAME)." 

Review Procedure

Applications must be received by JFLA at least two months prior to the beginning date of the project. JFLA will contact successful applicants to begin the planning phase within one month.

Contact

To contact the team overseeing Steam Gallery at The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, send an email to JFLACulture@jpf.go.jp. Please note that while JFLA will provide general guidance about the application procedure, we cannot comment or advise on the contents of an application before or after a decision.