Research Trip for QTBIPOC Artist Residency!

Hi! We are Aiano & Aki, co-founders of TADAIMIA Artist Residency (TAR).

In 2021, we began embarking on the journey of making our collective dream of a Queer, BIPOC artist residency in our ancestral home of Japan come to life! As queer and trans, artists of color ourselves, we understand some of the difficulties QTPOC can face when searching for residencies and travel opportunities abroad.

Our goal with TAR is to create a space where QTBIPOC from around the world have a place they feel at home - a place to land, where they can rest their spirits and access inspiration and creativity. Our dream is to create a space for QTBIPOC artists in our global community, as well as locally, to have an opportunity to experience cultural exchange in a supportive environment.

We hope that this artist-centered, community-based residency can build a bridge between queer artists globally, and bring the talent of this community to Japan and abroad.

The purpose of this fundraiser is to support us (Aiano and Aki) in embarking on the first research trip for this project.

Starting in June, we will spend 2.5 weeks visiting Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and the surrounding areas to meet with artists and community members to work out details such as funding, location, logistics, and community input. Our goal is to raise $8K to directly support this trip and help us get one step closer to opening a test run residency in the coming year!

$8k ask goes towards:

* Air fare: $4000 total ($2k/person)

* JR (rail) Pass: $900 total ($450/person)

* Additional Transportation: $700 total ($350/person)

* Hostel Stay: $2400 total (avg. $85/night, for 2 weeks, ~$1200/person)

We will be staying in hostels, with friends (as we can), and prioritizing railways that use JR pass as a means to save money! All food and other activities outside of location scouting and meetings will be funded with our own finances.

Thank you so much for visiting our fundraiser and considering donating! If you are unable to help donate at this time, please share this fundraiser with your community and networks to help us spread the word about this project. Any support is welcome so thank you for yours!

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