*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.
Outline
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.
Festival Period
April.18.—May.17, 2026
Exhibition Venues
Applicants are asked to arrange their own exhibition venues within the city of Kyoto before they apply.
Application Period
November 1st – December 31st, 2025 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 18th and May 17th, 2026, including weekends and holidays (excluding days when the venue is closed).
e.g.
◯: April 20 – April 28 Open daily during the exhibition period
×: April 17 – April 25 Open daily during the exhibition period (Fewer than 9 open days during the KG+ period)
×: May 10 – May 18 Open daily during the exhibition period (Fewer than 9 open days during the KG+ period)
◯: April 18 – May 1 Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
×: April 18 – May 1 Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays (Fewer than 9 active days)
◯: May 1 – May 17 Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
×: May 1 – May 15 Closed on weekends and public holidays (Not including weekends/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
・Payment should be made by credit card. Please proceed with the payment through the application form.
PayPal or bank transfer is also available; however, we kindly ask you to use a credit card whenever possible.
・One KYOTOGRAPHIE 2026 Passport (admission ticket) will be offered per application.
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 2026 on the official KG+ website. In KG+2026, 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
The following materials are to be submitted via the application form.
Please note that the submitted materials may be used by the KG+ office for publicity purposes.
When using online storage services, please make sure to check access and sharing permissions.
(1) Text information: Please include the following in one document.
– Title of the artwork (series title)
– Exhibition statement (About 350 words in English. Please write in third-person. Applicants are welcome to refer to the exhibition statements published on the 2025 KG+ website.)
– Artist profile and bio
– Artist website
* Note: In the case of a group exhibit, the one member 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) Venue Usage Permission Letter
A written document confirming the completion of the venue reservation for the exhibition period, including all of the following information:
Name and seal/signature of the venue representative, Venue address, A statement clearly indicating permission to use the venue for the exhibition
(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_John Smith_Title#1_©John Smith=Series title)
** Artwork image resolution: 300 dpi; size: around A5 or A4; the 20 images should not total more than around 50-100M.
〈Video〉
If you would like to make a video presentation of your exhibited works, 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
(6) Image for Publicity
One artwork image for publicity purposes (please include the Exhibition title and artist’s name in the file name using half-width alphanumeric characters).
Recommended specifications: 300 dpi resolution, image size approx. 100–150 mm on the long side, and within 10 MB if possible.
Schedule
Below is the planned schedule. Please note that it is subject to change.
〈Late March〉
Map will be completed and installed at each venue.
〈April 18th to May 17th〉
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 must secure their own venue at the time of application.
・Applications using photographs intended for advertising, publicity, or commercial promotion are not permitted.
・All costs associated with the exhibition, including paid venue rentals, printing, framing, projector usage, and transportation, shall be borne by the applicant.
・The applicant is solely responsible for monitoring the venue during the exhibition period and any associated events. The organizer provides no assistance or assumes no responsibility.
・The organizer reserves the right to freely and indefinitely publish submitted works, exhibition information, and exhibition records—including artist names—on the KG+ website, in printed materials, promotional media, and joint projects with contractors for publicity and archival purposes.
・The organizer will use the personal information and submitted works provided during the application process for the management and operation of this event. This information may be disclosed to judges and contractors to the extent necessary for event operations. It will not be used or disclosed beyond what is necessary for event management and operation, nor will it be provided to third parties.
・If an exhibition is canceled after being selected for KG+, a penalty fee (covering costs such as reprinting promotional materials) may be charged.
・Should any third party assert claims of rights infringement or seek damages, the applicant shall handle such matters at their own responsibility. The organizer shall bear no liability whatsoever.
・Each exhibition organizer shall serve as the primary event organizer in collaboration with KG+. We request your understanding and cooperation in jointly promoting, publicizing, and collaborating on the event with KG+.
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 selects one outstanding artist from among the KG+ exhibitions, excluding KG+ SELECT. During the KYOTOGRAPHIE/KG+, which gathers creators from around the world, numerous original exhibitions are held at KG+. The award aims to discover and promote previously unseen talent from among these exhibitions.
A preliminary document screening will be conducted based on application materials, selecting several candidates from the applicants. A presentation review will be held during the KG+ period to select the award winner. The Discovery Award winner will be granted the right to hold a solo exhibition and receive supplementary prizes, with expectations for further growth and increased attention.
【Applicant Eligibility for KG+ Discovery Award】
・Eligible exhibitions must meet all KG+ application requirements and be solo exhibitions (including solo shows by artist units or groups) held during a period that includes April 23–26, 2026.
・Applicants must be able to participate in the presentation session scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026 (tentative).
However, if attendance is not possible due to unavoidable circumstances, online or pre-recorded video presentations will also be accepted.
*Details regarding the presentation schedule and procedure will be provided later to those who pass the first-round document screening.
【How to Entry for KG+ Discovery Award】
Applicants who wish to participate in the Discovery Award should select “Apply for Discovery Award” within the application form.
Please note that the first-round document screening will be conducted based on the regular KG+ application materials. No additional documents are required specifically for this award.
【Selection Criteria】
– Quality and message of the artwork, as well as the originality and pioneering nature of the exhibition
– Future potential of the artist and the possibilities of their work
– Strength and clarity of the presentation’s message
【First round of document screening】
Judging will be conducted by the co-representatives of KYOTOGRAPHIE, FUJIFILM, and external judges.
【Presentation Screening】
We will review the application materials of award applicants and select approximately 10 finalists.
【Award Selection】
・Finalists selected through the initial document screening will be asked to give a presentation of their work (approximately 5-6 minutes) on Friday, April 24, 2026 (tentative). Additionally, they will visit the exhibition between April 22 and April 24. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of both the presentation and the exhibition, one award winner will be selected.
・Finalists will deliver their presentations using materials they have prepared themselves, projected during the session.
・If interpretation is required for the presentation, KG+ will arrange a Japanese-English interpreter.
*Details regarding the judging venue and format will be communicated to those who pass the initial document screening at a later date.