The Saison Foundation/Morishita Studio

Background
The Saison Foundation is a private grant-making foundation established in 1987 by its founder and president Seiji Tsutsumi. Morishita Studio is a venue used for rehearsals, workshops, conferences, symposia, public talk events, and showings, which take place as part of the foundation’s grant programs and sponsorship programs. Additionally, the foundation began a residency program called Residence in Morishita Studio in 2011.

The programs of the Saison Foundation can be divided broadly into three categories: Direct Support to Artists, Partnership Programs, and Residence in Morishita Studio. Direct Support to Artists encourages the creative activities of individual artists. The Partnership Programs considers the foundation’s grantees or other support groups as its partners, who work together to enhance the infrastructure of the creative environment or to stimulate international exchange in the Japanese performing arts community. Residence in Morishita Studio provides opportunities to stay at the studio’s guest rooms to artists and arts administrators from abroad and help them to develop international networks and promote　mutual understanding. Within these programs, the Saison Foundation provides Morishita Studio as a place for contemporary theater and dance where people may (1) Try out creative experiments frequently, (2) Work together regardless of national boundaries and disciplines, and (3) Interact and share knowledge and experiences related to the performing arts.