The Sapporo Odori 500-m Underground Walkway Gallery has been holding the „500-m Underground Walkway Gallery Award,“ a competition for contemporary artwork plans and exhibition proposals, since 2012, and is now preparing for its 14th edition.
As the 500-m Underground Walkway Gallery will serve as a venue for the Sapporo International Art Festival 2027 (SIAF2027) this fiscal year, we have decided to hold the „SIAF2027 500-m Underground Walkway Gallery Award,“ an international competition for two parties to exhibit their works during the festival.
In this competition, we are seeking exhibition plans based on the theme of SIAF2027: „PLANET SNOW — upas mintar / upas nociw“.
The 500-m Underground Walkway Gallery, which will serve as the venue, has eight glass cases (each 12,000 mm W x 2,000 mm H x 650 mm D). For this occasion, four cases, totaling 48 meters, will be made available for exhibition to each winner.
The application format targets plans for solo exhibitions by artists, as well as curated and group exhibitions featuring multiple artists. We look forward to seeing plans that take advantage of the characteristics of the glass cases located in this high-traffic underground concourse.
Exhibition plans will be selected through a primary document screening and a secondary interview screening. The two selected parties will participate as SIAF2027 participating artists (*) and exhibit in the exhibition „SIAF2027 500-m Underground Walkway Gallery Award“ at the 500-m Underground Walkway Gallery starting from January 16 (Sat), 2027.
*If applying as a team with a curator, the announcement will be made under the collective’s name.
We look forward to receiving many applications from both within Japan and abroad.
● Application Period
April 20 (Mon) – July 20 (Mon, public holiday), 2026, 23:59 [Must arrive by this time]
● Exhibition Venue
Sapporo Odori 500-m Underground Walkway Gallery
Address: Odori Nishi 1-chome to Odori Higashi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Access: Underground concourse (B2F) connecting Odori Station and Bus Center-mae Station
● Exhibition Space
Four 500-m Underground Walkway Gallery glass cases (each 12,000 mm W x 2,000 mm H x 650 mm D)
Total length: 12 m x 4 cases (48 m)
*The eight glass display cases will be divided evenly, with four on the east side and four on the west side of the Glass Case Zone, to exhibit the works of the two winning parties.
●SIAF2027 500-m Underground Walkway Gallery Award Exhibition Period
January 16 (Sat) – March 24 (Wed), 2027
*While SIAF2027 is held from January 16 (Sat) to February 21 (Sun), 2027, this exhibition will continue until March 24 (Wed).
● Entry Fee
Free
● Awards and Support
・Artist Fee: ¥300,000 per party
・Production Cost: ¥200,000 per party
・Travel/Shipping Allowance:
Exhibitors based overseas: ¥250,000 each
Domestic exhibitors based outside Hokkaido: ¥150,000 each
Exhibitors based within Hokkaido: ¥50,000 each
● Flow from Application to Exhibition (Scheduled)
Application Starts: April 20 (Mon), 2026
Application Deadline: July 20 (Mon, public holiday), 2026, 23:59 JST [Must arrive by this time]
Primary Screening: Scheduled for late July to early August 2026
Secondary Interview Screening: Scheduled for August 22 (Sat), 2026
Work Installation Period: January 10 (Sat) – January 14 (Thurs), 2027, 10:00-17:00 (5 days)
Exhibition Period: January 16 (Sat) – March 24 (Wed), 2027 (Even after the conclusion of SIAF2027 [January 16 (Sat) – February 21 (Sun), 2027], the exhibition at the 500-m Underground Walkway Gallery will be held until March 24 (Wed))
Removal and De-installation: March 25 (Thurs) and March 26 (Fri), 2027, 10:00-17:00 (2 days)
● Please check the application guidelines here.
https://www.500m.jp/control-panel/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SIAF500mAward_2027_guideline_ja-en-1.pdf
● Organizer:
City of Sapporo, Sapporo International Art Festival Executive Committee
Bewerbungsschluss: 20. Juli 2026