一般社団法人 丹波・タンボフ交流協会Общество «Тамба-Тамбов»

The Second Year of the Tamba City Development Project (2025)
“DD-Exhibition: ‘Tamba Art Exhibition of the Four Talents’ and ‘Fundamental Formation of the Tamba City Artist-in-Residence Project”
Digital ✕ Design
The Exhibition of artists who returned to or moved to Tamba
Art goes hand in hand with daily life in Tamba.
 

June 7 - 8, 2025. (In collaboration with TAMBA SESSION)
Venue: Cultural hall “Tamba no Mori Koen (Tamba Forest Park)”

November 1 – 16, 2025.
Venue: ISO no ke (Renovated traditional house with cultural and business spaces in Tamba city)
※The Exhibitions are officially supported by the Administration of Tamba city

About the Organisation
I have had the opportunity to engage with individuals active in various international art scenes and to participate in the planning of international art projects.
Our organisation, which is implementing this art project, was established in 2018 by the current representative director, Masato Kawazu, and a group of artists who returned to or moved to the Tamba region. We revisited the essence of our activities —reconfirming who we are and what Tamba is—and launched this project based on artistic and creative endeavours from a multifaceted and international perspective.
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Report on Last Year’s Project
On 1 April 2024, our organisation received official approval from the Administration and the Mayor of Tamba City to carry out this art project as a three-year regional development initiative.
The exhibition “Tamba Art: Three Talents” was held at the Ueno Memorial Museum of Tamba City in May 2024. It showcased the works of three local artists—a sculptor, a printmaker, and a ceramicist—and included workshops. This marked the first significant step towards the success of the project.
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Regarding the (Re)definition of "Tamba Art"
To be understood by “others”, we must first ask: “Who am I? What can I do?”
The first aim of this project is to (re)define “Tamba Art”—to rediscover the value of the traditional culture and artistic practices rooted in this region (the “Tamba Art” of the past), to create new works through collaboration (the “Tamba Art” of today and tomorrow), and to connect artists and their work with the citizens of Tamba—inviting them to feel joy and pride in engaging with Tamba Art.
To that end, we are implementing inclusive and inspiring programmes for all.
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About This Year’s Project
This year, we are carrying out two major art projects. In collaboration with TAMBA SESSION, a comprehensive cultural festival in Tamba City, we are responsible for the art section. Although the exhibition at the cultural hall “Tamba no Mori Koen (Tamba Forest Park)” is scheduled for a short period, it promises to be visually and spatially compelling.
The theme of this year’s project is “Digital Design (DD)”, and our central aim is simple: to help everyone recognise that “Art is in everyday life.” 
To that end, we have invited four designers who are either active in or have relocated to Tamba City.
Have you noticed that design is present in many aspects of daily life—posters in public spaces, logos in shops, products purchased online or via smartphone? In today’s world, even art is often produced digitally. We believe that by experiencing the fusion of design and digital media, people will feel a deeper connection to art. We are now exhibiting works by talented designers from Tamba who bring this vision to life.
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About the International DD Exhibition (1–16 November, 2025)
In the autumn, we will host a two-week DD exhibition entitled “The World of Tamba Art” in a traditional Japanese building with a gallery space in Tamba City. Local designers will be joined by an invited international designer, expanding the scope of “Tamba Art” into a global context. This promises new and unique collaborations. In addition to the main exhibition, we will hold artist-led workshops, offering accessible insight into the creative process, concepts, and behind-the-scenes efforts.
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About the "Artist-in-Residence (AIR) in Tamba City" Project
We believe that encouraging local interest in artistic activities is the key to preserving and revitalising art, culture, and tradition—especially for younger generations—and to (re)defining the identity of “Tamba Art”. This project addresses critical local issues such as rural depopulation and the safety concerns of vacant homes left without heirs or too costly to remove.
To address this, we aim to achieve the second major goal of this initiative: the development of an Artist-in-Residence (AIR) programme that supports artists staying or even relocating to Tamba City.
We are launching a sustainable management body - the Tamba City Art Project Executive Committee - and are actively recruiting members not only from Tamba, but also from across Japan and internationally.
Historically, originality and creativity have inspired people to inherit villages, industries, and cultural practices. Talented individuals, regardless of their place of birth or nationality, are welcome in Tamba City. We aim to provide them with appealing housing and a lifestyle immersed in nature—traditional homes and studios surrounded by Tamba’s rich landscape. This also creates opportunities for community involvement in the creative process, helping Tamba evolve into an engaging and inspiring place.
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AIR in Tamba City and the TAC
The annual Tamba Art Competition (TAC) is widely recognised for attracting highly avant-garde submissions from across the country. However, we do not want this to be merely a competition.
Our plan is for the most promising young artists who participate in TAC to also be supported by the city through the Artist-in-Residence Project, where they will be provided with traditional homes to live and work in.
These are the individuals who will shape the future of Tamba’s art scene.
By making Tamba more attractive from the perspective of “outsiders”, we believe we can preserve its unique heritage for future generations. At the same time, Tamba City will expand its presence on the global stage.
Let’s enjoy this journey together as we work to bring Tamba to the world.

Masato Kawazu

Official Organiser of the Art Project in Tamba City