A timeless town of small islands
Makers Island Connection
A creative residency program of an island town in Seto Inland Sea of Japan.
Stay
We invite you to slow down with the island’s gentle rhythm and spend time in quiet dialogue with yourself and your own creative work.
Make
In addition to the accommodation, each participant has access to a small dedicated workspace. Please enjoy your own creative process while listening to the gentle sound of the waves.
Share
At the end of the stay, participants are invited to share their work in any format as a way to connect with the local community and audiences beyond.
Makers Island Connection (mic) is a program that brings people together by making things.
The program places great importance on building an environment that nurtures the creative process. It is a paid program with a duration of one to three months. The program provides time and space for participants to develop their own projects and ideas.
Island life creates the space to slow down and focus on what truly matters. When I first visited this island, I was deeply moved by the sunset over the calm, mirror-like sea. I hope you find your own moments of inspiration here.
We are based in Kamijima Town, Ehime, located in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan.
Who is this program for?
This program is ideal for people who love making things! It is for those who wish to step away from fast-paced urban life and devote themselves to creative work in a singular setting. Designed as a space for experimentation and cross-cultural exchange, the program invites creators from diverse backgrounds to engage deeply with their own creative practice in an open and supportive environment.
Surrounded by nature, the island, with its “just the right amount of inconvenience,” offers a setting that gently fosters creative focus. So far, my friends from a wide range of fields including painter, photographer, architect, videographer, illustrator, designer, and bicycle builder have visited and stayed on the island. Based on their feedback and yours, we continue to develop and refining the program.
What does the program support?
The participants are provided with an environment that supports creative practice, along with the necessary communication and assistance to realize their work.
Space
The program provide a place for:
・accommodation and workspace
・sharing creative work
Communication
The program serves as a bridge for anyone interested in connecting with local friends and activities. While we do not provide full-time translation services, we are always willing to support communication when it contributes to your creative activities.
・English / Japanese
Creative Process
The program supports the individual needs of each creative process, and we are happy to give an additional hands on support when needed, yet only for a limited amount of time each month.
How does the program work?
This is a paid program offering immersive stays of one to three months.
Upon arrival, participants will receive a brief orientation introducing the town and the surrounding area. When new participants join, we organize a welcome dinner/lunch to help everyone get to know one another.
Shortly after arrival, we will make a trip together to purchase groceries and art materials (limited selection). Please note that there is no art supply store nearby. If you require specific materials, please contact us in advance.
The majority of the residency is self-directed time, during which participants live on the island while focusing on their creative practice. Each participant is provided with a bicycle. Cycling is great way to explore and get around the island. Residents are also welcome to take part in local events and community activities taking place on the island.
At the end of the residency, we will provide an opportunity for participants to present the works they created during their stay. All intellectual property rights to works created during the residency remain with the artists.
The fees:
120,000JPY (month/person)
The length of stay:
1 month up to 3 months
The requirement:
A brief profile, portfolio and project proposal during your stay
Make It Together.
The mic program is a work in progress.
We wish to grow alongside diverse participants through the act of making together.
With the help of many friends, the facilities used for this program have been gradually renovated by my own hands. With the vision of building a program that “to connect by making”, I made as much as I could through moving my hands and feet rather than relying solely on others.
One of the things I strongly felt after coming to this island is that, within limited resources, it’s often the constraints themselves that inspire people to take initiative and try to make things happen. Even after two years of living here, that feeling hasn’t changed.
I’m really looking forward to people who believe in “connecting through creating” gathering in this place and enjoying the process of shaping this program together.
FAQ
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The program that combining elements of an artist-in-residence, workation, and retreat, where participants create freely during their stay and present their work at the end. This is a paid program.
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Each participant is provided with a private room for accommodation and a small work space. The final exhibition/sharing will be held in a public facility on the island. More about.
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The program is primarily open to individual participants, though participation with a partner (two people) is possible. Participation with families of three or more, including children, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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Participants are responsible for bringing the art supplies and tools required for their own projects. For international participants who need to purchase items in Japan in advance, we can assist with purchasing. There will also be an opportunity to visit the nearest home improvement store after arrival, where limited art materials and tools are available. Please note that not all items can be found locally, so please contact us in advance to confirm any essential materials.
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Participants are responsible for cleaning their own rooms, doing their laundry, and preparing their own meals during the program. Please note that we do not provide guesthouse style services such as regular linen or towel changes. Basic daily necessities including bedding, towels, soap, and shampoo are provided. Spare items are also available, so participants should have everything they need for a comfortable stay.
There are a few supermarkets and restaurants within walking or cycling distance. However, dining options are very limited, so participants are generally expected to cook for themselves. A kitchen is available at every accommodations. The accommodation is also equipped with a washing machine.
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Each participant will be provided with one bicycle (non-electric). For shopping and getting around the island, cycling is the recommended way!
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This program takes place on a remote island in the Seto Inland Sea, located between Ehime and Hiroshima prefectures. Nearby are the islands of the Shimanami Kaido, a well-known cycling route.
This is geographically unique islands. A town is made up of 25 small islands, 7 of which are inhabited. Among them, 4 islands form a cluster of island communities connected by three bridges. There are several ways to access the island, but all routes require a ferry for the final leg. When traveling by car or bus, the shortest ferry ride takes approximately three minutes. The route via Shinkansen (a bullet train) to Mihara station and a ferry ride (40minutes) directly to our island might be the easiest access from the major cities. Please refer to the “access” for details.
Climate
Apr, May, Oct, and Nov are the most comfortable months. The rainy season runs from Jun to early Jul, while Aug and Sep can be very hot. From Dec through Mar, the weather tends to be cold and windy. The area is known for its seasonal fish (available year-round) and citrus fruits, especially from Dec to Feb. You can also enjoy cooking with fish you catch yourself or locally harvested citrus or vegetables. -
Nearest Airport:
Hiroshima Airport (HIJ)HIJ →(bus/40m)→ Mihara station → (ferry/40m) → Tateishi Port (our island)
*the schedule of bus and ferry is limited. Please contact us if you plan this route.From major cities:
(train) → Mihara station → (ferry/40m) → Tateishi Port (our island)(train) → Fukuyama station → (bus/) → Nagasaki sanbashi → (ferry/3m) → Tateishi Port (our island)
From Imabari city:
(Ferry/60m) → Yuge Port (our island)By car or bicycle:
(Car) → Nagasaki sanbashi → (car ferry/3m) → Tateishi Port (our island)m=munite