*1 Please read the following as there are a few changes from the previous year.
*2: Application requirements for the KG+ Discovery Award can be found at the bottom of the page.
KG＋2025
Founded in 2013, KG+ is an open-entry art festival dedicated to discovering and supporting talented photographers, curators, and gallerists. KG+ is a satellite program of the KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival and is held concurrently every spring in Kyoto. KG+ offers an ideal forum for emerging and veteran artists, curators, and gallerists, as well as an opportunity for members of the international photographic arts community to meet up and network. With exhibitions presented citywide at a variety of venues in Kyoto, KG+ aims to encourage diverse creative expression and nurture a participatory public environment for global visitors and local citizens alike.
Exhibition Period
April 12th – May 11th, 2025
Exhibition Venues
Applicants are asked to arrange their own exhibition venues within the city of Kyoto before they apply.
Application Period
Application Period
November 11th – December 31st, 2024 23:59 (JST)
*Note: Applications made after the deadline will not be accepted. Please note that applications submitted by email will also not be accepted.
Applicant Eligibility
– Artists and curators are eligible to apply regardless of age, gender, nationality, profession, or prior experience.
– Applicants may be individuals or groups exhibiting photos, video, or installations that include photographic elements. (Group exhibits must be curated by a curator. Curation by exhibiting artists is acceptable.)
– Exhibits may be indoors or outdoors.Participants must be able to exhibit for at least 9 days between April 12th and May 11th, 2024, including weekends and holidays (excluding days when the venue is closed).
e.g. ）
○: April 12 – April 22 * Venue open every day during festival
×： April 11 – April 19 * Venue open every day
○: April 12 – April 24 * Venue closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
×： April 12 – April 24 * Venue closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
○: April 12 – May 2 * Venue closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
○: May 1 – May 11 * Venue closed on Mondays
×： April 12 – May 11 * Venue closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
○: April 19 – April 30 * Venue closed on Sundays and holidays
In order to accommodate visitors coming from far away, we recommend holding your exhibition for as long as possible. We also recommend that exhibitions start on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday.
*Note: Applicants are welcome to apply for both KG+ and KG+ SELECT. (Applications can be accepted for the same series or different series.)
How to Apply
Please fill in the application form on the KG+ website, and submit it along with a data file of your artwork.
Application Fee: ¥15,000
The application fee is ¥15,000. Please pay in advance by bank transfer or PayPal. (If you use PayPal, enter the PayPal transaction ID number on the application form.) Bank transfers can be accepted, PayPal payment is preferred whenever possible.
Selection Process
The screening of applications will be carried out by the members of the KG+ Executive Committee. The results will be announced at the end of January 2025 on the official KG+ website. In KG+2025, the participating exhibitions will be divided into three categories based on a comprehensive screening of the quality and concept of the works, the scale and originality of the exhibition, and other factors.
* Note: The website will be posted with images, text information (regular information on exhibitions), and map information (linked to Google Maps) for all exhibitions, regardless of category.
（１）KG＋ for Collectors
A category established to reach collectors. Tagged in promotional materials.
MAP: Image and text information（Size: Large）｜WEB: Image and text information
（２）KG＋ PICK UP
A category that highlights higher quality exhibitions.
MAP: Image and text information（Size: Medium）｜WEB: Image and text information
（３）KG＋
Existing category. A wide range of artists can participate.
MAP: ONLY text information｜WEB: Image and text information
* Note: Category preferences can be submitted, but categories will be assigned by the KG+ Executive Committee members.
** Note: The KG+ Executive Committee will determine the selection method, selection results, design (promotional materials and website), number of items to be listed, size, etc., and will not accept any requests or appeals.
Submission Guidelines
Put the following materials (1) through (5) into a single folder, accessible in an online storage format (*Google Drive is recommended), and enter the link in the application form.
* Note: Please note that the submitted materials may be used by the KG+ Executive Committee for publicity purposes.
**Note: Please check access and sharing permissions for folders when sharing online storage.
(1) Text information: Please include the following in one document. *All must be written in both Japanese and English.
– Title of the artwork (series title)
– Exhibition statement (About 200 words in English. Please write in third-person. Applicants are welcome to refer to the exhibition statements published on the 2023 KG+ website.)
– Artist profile and bio
– Artist website
* Note: In the case of a group exhibit, the curator should prepare the information and a profile for all members or for the representative artist(s).
(2) Exhibition floor plan
– A diagram of the venue showing the exhibition layout (please also indicate the size of the venue). A freehand drawing is acceptable. Please prepare in .pdf or .jpg format. Slight adjustments to the plan are permissible during the actual exhibition.
– A photograph of the venue (required).
(3) Proof of permission to use the exhibition venue
– A document confirming the reservation of the venue for the exhibition period. The document must include the following: the full name of the person responsible for the venue, his/her personal seal or signature, the address of the venue, and a written note stating that the applicant is granted permission to use the venue. (sample)
(4) Digital images of the artwork to be exhibited (less than 20 JPG files), or (in the case of a video presentation of the work) a YouTube or Vimeo URL link. Or both.
〈Photo images〉
Image data file names should be in this form: serial number_artist name_title of individual image_copyright = series title.
Example: 01_Taro Yamada_title#01_©Taro Yamada=Seriesname
* Artwork image resolution: 300 dpi; size: around A5 or A4; less than 20 images should not total more than around 50M.
〈Video〉
If you would like to make a presentation of your exhibited works by video, please write the YouTube or Vimeo URL link in a text file.
(5) A recent photograph of the artist (the image file name must include the applicant’s name)
* Image resolution: 300 dpi; size: long side should be around 100mm to 150mm
Schedule
Below is the planned schedule. Please note that it is subject to change.
〈Early February〉
The selection results for KG+SELECT / KG+ will be announced on the KG+ website.
〈Late February〉
An overview of the exhibitions will be published on the KG+ website.
〈Late March – Early May〉
Map will be completed and installed at each venue.
〈April 12th to May 11th〉
KYOTOGRAPHIE / KG+ will be held. During the exhibition period, we plan to hold events and receptions for each exhibition, as well as opening and closing events by the festival sponsors/organizers. Please join us! We will continue to keep you informed of details.
Application Rules and Disclaimer
– Applicants are responsible for securing the venue for their exhibit at the time of application.
– Applicants are responsible for all expenses related to their exhibit, such as rental venues, printing, framing, use of projectors, and moving things in and out of the exhibition space.
– The applicant is responsible for monitoring the venue during the exhibition period and any associated time periods. KG+ is not responsible for providing assistance or for any damage or losses.
– The organisers may use the personal information and entries submitted for the management of the event and disclose them to the juries and subcontractors to the extent necessary. The information will not be used or disclosed beyond the necessary scope and will not be provided to third parties.
– The organizer may freely use images of submitted works on the KG+ website and in printed materials, etc., with the name of the artist specified, for the purpose of promoting KG+.
– If the applicant cancels the exhibit after the KG+ exhibition has been decided, the applicant may be required to pay a penalty (e.g., to cover the cost of producing new promotional materials).
– If a third party makes a claim of copyright infringement or compensation for damages, the applicant will be responsible for dealing with the claim, and the organizer will not be held responsible in any way.
– Each exhibition organizer is an event promoter collaborating with KG+, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation in publicizing the event in cooperation with KG+ through public relations and SNS.
Other Support
Posters and flags will be displayed during the exhibition period. Applicants may participate in educational programs such as master classes held during KYOTOGRAPHIE and portfolio reviews by invited internationally-active experts at discounted prices. Details will be announced by email.
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KG＋ Discovery Award
The KG+ Discovery Award is an award that selects one best artist from the KG+ exhibitions, excluding KG+ SELECT. The aim is to discover new talent during KYOTOGRAPHIE/KG+, a photography festival that attracts creators from all over the world, and to enhance the festival through this competition.
A preliminary screening of applications will be carried out and several applicants will be selected, while the presentation screening will be carried out during KG+ and the award winners will be selected.
The Discovery Award winner will receive the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition and a supplementary prize, and is expected to attract further interest and attention.
【Applicant Eligibility for KG+ Discovery Award】
Applicants must fulfil all KG+ application requirements and be able to participate in a presentation to be held between 17 and 19 April. However, online or video presentations will also be accepted for those unable to attend the presentation due to exceptional reasons. The date of the presentation will be notified to those who have passed the first round of screening shortly later.
【How to Entry for KG+ Discovery Award】
Applicants who apply for the Discovery Award should select in the application form.
*The first round of screening will be carried out using the regular KG+ application materials. It is not necessary to prepare separate materials for this award.
【Selection Criteria】
– The quality of the work, the message of the work and the pioneering or originality of the method of display.
– The potential of the artist and the work.
【First round of document screening】
The application documents of those wishing to participate in the awards are screened and around 10 applicants are selected.
【Presentation Screening】
Applicants selected in the first round of document screening will be asked to give a presentation of their work (planned to be no longer than 10 minutes). In addition to the above-mentioned presentation judging, the applicants may also visit the exhibition during the period 11 – 19 Apr.
*The venue and method of the presentation screening will be communicated to those who have passed the first round of screening in due course.
【Award Selection】
The jury will review the exhibition and presentations and select one award winner based on a comprehensive assessment.
【KG+ Discovery Award】
Award winners will receive the following:
– The opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at DELTA/KYOTOGRAPHIE Permanent Space and follow-up that exhibition.
– A digital camera GFX series from FUJIFILM Corporation.
– PR support