About SIAF2027

A Snow-Covered Earth is a Miracle PlanetA Snow-Covered Earth is a Miracle Planet

Sapporo Becomes “Planet Snow,” a Gathering Point for Artworks and New Expressions from Japan and Around the WorldSapporo Becomes “Planet Snow,” a Gathering Point for Artworks and New Expressions from Japan and Around the World

There is approximately one year remaining before the second winter edition of the Sapporo International Art Festival サイアフサイアフ2027. Building on the initiatives of サイアフ2024, which leveraged Sapporo’s uniqueness, the upcoming edition of サイアフ aims to create an art festival where everyone, especially locals, can easily participate and engage.There is approximately one year remaining before the second winter edition of the Sapporo International Art Festival (SIAF)—SIAF2027. Building on the initiatives of SIAF2024, which leveraged Sapporo’s uniqueness, the upcoming edition of SIAF aims to create an art festival where everyone, especially locals, can easily participate and engage.

HighlightHighlight

Transforming Sapporo into the Stage of a Grand Narrative<br> Calling for Action Towards the Future Through an Art Festival<br> That Reconsiders “Humanity,” “Earth,” and “the Universe”Transforming Sapporo into the Stage of a Grand Narrative
Calling for Action Towards the Future Through an Art Festival
That Reconsiders “Humanity,” “Earth,” and “the Universe”

The theme of サイアフ2027 is “PLANET SNOW ウパシミンタラ ウパシノチウ.” In envisioning Sapporo as Planet Snow, the theme can be expressed through two phrases in the Ainu language. For those who live in Sapporo, it is “upas mintar snow garden” for those visiting from afar, it is “upas nociw snow star.” Covered in white snow, サイアフ2027 will become the stage for a grand narrative that surrounds the future of humanity and the cosmos.
The theme of SIAF2027 is “PLANET SNOW — upas mintar / upas nociw.” In envisioning Sapporo as Planet Snow, the theme can be expressed through two phrases in the Ainu language. For those who live in Sapporo, it is “upas mintar (snow garden)”; for those visiting from afar, it is “upas nociw (snow star).” Covered in white snow, SIAF2027 will become the stage for a grand narrative that surrounds the future of humanity and the cosmos.

Photo by TAKUMA Noriko

Creating New Ways to Utilize Sapporo’s Infrastructure and Public SpacesCreating New Ways to Utilize Sapporo’s Infrastructure and Public Spaces

Novel Venue Compositions Marking a Major Change from Previous EditionsNovel Venue Compositions Marking a Major Change from Previous Editions

Reexamining Sapporo’s strengths and resources and creating new value and methods of utilization are among サイアフ’s core missions.

For the upcoming edition, compelling new venues rich in materials and diverse content have joined the lineup the Sapporo Science Center and the Hokkaido Museum.

In addition, the Sapporo Citizens Gallery has been chosen as a key stage for the overarching narrative. Together with venues that highlight the characteristics of a snowy city, such as Moerenuma Park and the Sapporo Snow Festival, the サイアフ2027 festival layout marks a new beginning for the art festival.
Reexamining Sapporo’s strengths and resources and creating new value and methods of utilization are among SIAF’s core missions.

For the upcoming edition, compelling new venues rich in materials and diverse content have joined the lineup: the Sapporo Science Center and the Hokkaido Museum.

In addition, the Sapporo Citizens Gallery has been chosen as a key stage for the overarching narrative. Together with venues that highlight the characteristics of a snowy city, such as Moerenuma Park and the Sapporo Snow Festival, the SIAF2027 festival layout marks a new beginning for the art festival.

Sapporo Science Center

Hokkaido Museum

New Team Members and the First Group of Participating Artists Selected from Japan and AbroadNew Team Members and the First Group of Participating Artists Selected from Japan and Abroad!

Pre-Events Offering a Sneak Peek at サイアフ2027 Also AnnouncedPre-Events Offering a Sneak Peek at SIAF2027 Also Announced

The production team shaping サイアフ2027 is steadily coming together. In addition to the Director Team and サイアフ Advisor, a group of curators, responsible for exhibition programs, and a dramaturg, a role that will significantly enrich the story and overall visitor experience, have been added.

Furthermore, the first list of participating artists, selected from both Japan and abroad, has been decided. The story of Planet Snow is finally starting to unravel.

This winter, pre-events will be held, offering an early look at a work by one of the participating artistsThe production team shaping SIAF2027 is steadily coming together. In addition to the Director Team and SIAF Advisor, a group of curators, responsible for exhibition programs, and a dramaturg, a role that will significantly enrich the story and overall visitor experience, have been added.

Furthermore, the first list of participating artists, selected from both Japan and abroad, has been decided. The story of Planet Snow is finally starting to unravel.

This winter, pre-events will be held, offering an early look at a work by one of the participating artists!

ENESS "Iwagumi Air Scape" Photo by Finbarr FALLON

ISHIGURO Hiroshi / FUTURE OF LIFE Laboratory "Yamatoroid" ©FUTURE OF LIFE

Message from the サイアフ2027 Director TeamMessage from the SIAF2027 Director Team

From LAST SNOW to PLANET SNOWFrom LAST SNOW to PLANET SNOW:

The World’s Only Art Festival Uniting 
City and Snow Enters a New OrbitThe World’s Only Art Festival Uniting 
City and Snow Enters a New Orbit

Sapporo is a global anomalya local metropolis with a population of nearly two million people nestled in a region that receives almost five meters of snowfall each year. Warmly embracing the city’s characteristics in a bid to leverage “what makes Sapporo, Sapporo,” we adopted the theme LAST SNOW for the previous Sapporo International Art Festival サイアフ. Beginning with the microscopic world of snow crystals, the theme evolved into a universe of thought reflecting on our home planet’s current realitiesclimate change, pandemics, division, wara theme that called for imagination, creation, and action for the future, uniting artists and residents alike who responded with energy and insight. Our theme for the next edition of the festival, サイアフ2027, is “PLANET SNOW ウパシミンタラ ウパシノチウ” Ainu language translation “snow garden / snow star”. The festival will once again revolve around snow, but this time, participants’ imaginations will be pushed beyond Earth and into the cosmos, setting the scene for サイアフ’s latest evolution since 2024.

If Sapporo were not a city, but a snow-covered planet somewhere in our universe, what technologies would shape life and culture there What vast landscapes might we gaze upon And from that distant snowy planet, how might Earth appear when we look out at it
For サイアフ2027, a museum, science center, ward office, and other everyday facilities in the city will act as core festival venues. For residents, familiar winter landscapes will take on new meaning meanwhile, visitors will have the opportunity to experience something truly extraordinary. No matter who you may be or where you may come from, サイアフ2027 cordially invites you to participate in a story that sparks the imagery and sensation of crash-landing in an unknown world Planet Snow.

Of course, the bridge between サイアフ2024 and サイアフ2027 is more than merely thematic. We aim to carry forward the core values underpinning サイアフ’s identity to further expand the festival via the following three visions

Making the Most of Sapporo’s Uniqueness
Winter’s cold and heavy snowfall are often seen as challenges to be overcome. However, we aspire to elevate these traits into Sapporo’s distinctive strengths and connect them to the future. The key to this transformation is none other than the ideas and lived experiences of the people who call this city home.

A Festival for the People Open and Accessible to All
We are continuing to develop a vibrant array of community-oriented experiments and programs to make サイアフ an accessible platform that welcomes each and every resident. Alongside expanding our current resident-led venue guide initiative, we are also working to curate experiences that people of all abilities and circumstances can enjoy.

Constructing a Sustainable Framework
To ensure the festival takes root across Sapporo rather than ending as a fleeting triennial celebration, we have revamped our organizational structure. A four-person team of directors, based primarily in Sapporo and supported by ongoing outreach activities such as continuous school visits, will come together to guarantee that the festival’s impact endures.

The three visions listed above build directly on the goals set out in サイアフ2024, namely, to be an “engine for Creativity,” to serve as a form of “cultural Infrastructure,” and to inspire “citizen participation.” Each represents a commitment to putting these ideas into practice and giving them tangible forms.

With サイアフ2027 now just a year away, we set out on our voyage from LAST SNOW to PLANET SNOW.
Join us in bringing to life an art festival that reinvents the city.

We look forward to welcoming you to Planet Snow in January 2027.

サイアフ2027 Director Team
OGAWA Hideaki / HOSOKAWA Asami / URUSHI Takahiro / MARUTA Tomoaki
December 19, 2025
Sapporo is a global anomaly—a local metropolis with a population of nearly two million people nestled in a region that receives almost five meters of snowfall each year. Warmly embracing the city’s characteristics in a bid to leverage “what makes Sapporo, Sapporo,” we adopted the theme LAST SNOW for the previous Sapporo International Art Festival (SIAF). Beginning with the microscopic world of snow crystals, the theme evolved into a universe of thought reflecting on our home planet’s current realities—climate change, pandemics, division, war—a theme that called for imagination, creation, and action for the future, uniting artists and residents alike who responded with energy and insight. Our theme for the next edition of the festival, SIAF2027, is “PLANET SNOW — upas mintar / upas nociw” (Ainu language translation: “snow garden / snow star”). The festival will once again revolve around snow, but this time, participants’ imaginations will be pushed beyond Earth and into the cosmos, setting the scene for SIAF’s latest evolution since 2024.

If Sapporo were not a city, but a snow-covered planet somewhere in our universe, what technologies would shape life and culture there? What vast landscapes might we gaze upon? And from that distant snowy planet, how might Earth appear when we look out at it?
For SIAF2027, a museum, science center, ward office, and other everyday facilities in the city will act as core festival venues. For residents, familiar winter landscapes will take on new meaning; meanwhile, visitors will have the opportunity to experience something truly extraordinary. No matter who you may be or where you may come from, SIAF2027 cordially invites you to participate in a story that sparks the imagery and sensation of crash-landing in an unknown world: Planet Snow.

Of course, the bridge between SIAF2024 and SIAF2027 is more than merely thematic. We aim to carry forward the core values underpinning SIAF’s identity to further expand the festival via the following three visions:

Making the Most of Sapporo’s Uniqueness
Winter’s cold and heavy snowfall are often seen as challenges to be overcome. However, we aspire to elevate these traits into Sapporo’s distinctive strengths and connect them to the future. The key to this transformation is none other than the ideas and lived experiences of the people who call this city home.

A Festival for the People; Open and Accessible to All
We are continuing to develop a vibrant array of community-oriented experiments and programs to make SIAF an accessible platform that welcomes each and every resident. Alongside expanding our current resident-led venue guide initiative, we are also working to curate experiences that people of all abilities and circumstances can enjoy.

Constructing a Sustainable Framework
To ensure the festival takes root across Sapporo rather than ending as a fleeting triennial celebration, we have revamped our organizational structure. A four-person team of directors, based primarily in Sapporo and supported by ongoing outreach activities such as continuous school visits, will come together to guarantee that the festival’s impact endures.

The three visions listed above build directly on the goals set out in SIAF2024, namely, to be an “engine for Creativity,” to serve as a form of “cultural Infrastructure,” and to inspire “citizen participation.” Each represents a commitment to putting these ideas into practice and giving them tangible forms.

With SIAF2027 now just a year away, we set out on our voyage from LAST SNOW to PLANET SNOW.
Join us in bringing to life an art festival that reinvents the city.

We look forward to welcoming you to Planet Snow in January 2027.

SIAF2027 Director Team
OGAWA Hideaki / HOSOKAWA Asami / URUSHI Takahiro / MARUTA Tomoaki
December 19, 2025

The Eight Venues of Planet SnowThe Eight Venues of Planet Snow

For サイアフ2027, the venue structure will undergo a major transformation from previous editions. This selection will be unique to サイアフ2027, expanding the “multiplication of art” across different fields and genres. Each venue will utilize its individuality to unfold into its own distinct world.
For SIAF2027, the venue structure will undergo a major transformation from previous editions. This selection will be unique to SIAF2027, expanding the “multiplication of art” across different fields and genres. Each venue will utilize its individuality to unfold into its own distinct world.

Sapporo Citizens Gallery, Photo by KUSUMI Erika

Sapporo Science Center, photo by KUSUMI Erika

Hokkaido Museum

Moerenuma Park, Photo by TAKUMA Noriko

Shiryokan (Former Sapporo Court of Appeals), Photo by TAKUMA Noriko

Chuo Ward Office Complex

Sapporo Cultural Arts Community Center (SCARTS), Photo by TAKUMA Noriko

Sapporo Snow Festival Odori Site, Photo by KOMAKI Yoshisato

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Production TeamProduction Team

サイアフ2027 is taking on the challenge of building a sustainable art festival under a new four-director structure. In addition to the サイアフ Advisor and the Ainu Culture Coordinator bringing diverse perspectives, サイアフ is introducing two curators who will plan and develop the festival’s activities. Furthermore, the festival is incorporating a dramaturg for the first time.SIAF2027 is taking on the challenge of building a sustainable art festival under a new four-director structure. In addition to the SIAF Advisor and the Ainu Culture Coordinator bringing diverse perspectives, SIAF is introducing two curators who will plan and develop the festival’s activities. Furthermore, the festival is incorporating a dramaturg for the first time.

The Artists and Works of PLANET SNOWThe Artists and Works of PLANET SNOW

The world of Planet Snow opens its doors with the first list of participating artists.
The world of Planet Snow opens its doors with the first list of participating artists.

ENESS "Iwagumi Air Scape" Photo by Finbarr FALLON

OverviewOverview

TitleTitle

札幌国際げいじゅつさい2027 Japanese Sapporo International Art Festival 2027 English Usa Mosir un Askay utar Sapporo otta Uekarpa 2027 Ainu札幌国際芸術祭2027 (Japanese)
Sapporo International Art Festival 2027 (English)
Usa Mosir un Askay utar Sapporo otta Uekarpa 2027 (Ainu)

AbbreviationAbbreviation

サイアフ2027SIAF2027

ThemeTheme

PLANET SNOW ウパシミンタラ ウパシノチウPLANET SNOW
upas mintar / upas nociw

DatesDates

January 16 Sat February 21 Sun, 2027 - Sapporo Science Center January 5 Tue February 21 Sun - Sapporo Snow Festival Odori Site In accordance with the 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival Some venues will be closed on certain days.January 16 (Sat) – February 21 (Sun), 2027
- Sapporo Science Center: January 5 (Tue) – February 21 (Sun)
- Sapporo Snow Festival Odori Site: In accordance with the 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival
* Some venues will be closed on certain days.

VenueVenue

Sapporo Citizens Gallery Sapporo Science Center Hokkaido Museum Moerenuma Park Shiryokan Former Sapporo Court of Appeals Chuo Ward Office Complex Sapporo Cultural Arts Community Center SCARTS Sapporo Snow Festival Odori SiteSapporo Citizens Gallery
Sapporo Science Center
Hokkaido Museum
Moerenuma Park
Shiryokan (Former Sapporo Court of Appeals)
Chuo Ward Office Complex
Sapporo Cultural Arts Community Center (SCARTS)
Sapporo Snow Festival Odori Site

ArtistArtist

KAWAKAMI Rie, shigechanland ONISHI Shigenari, WAKAKI Kurumi, ENESS, Fragmentin, HIWA Kazuhiko, ISHIGURO Hiroshi / FUTURE OF LIFE Laboratory, Boris LABBÉ, LAUSBUB, NAKAZATO YuimaKAWAKAMI Rie, shigechanland (ONISHI Shigenari), WAKAKI Kurumi, ENESS, Fragmentin, HIWA Kazuhiko, ISHIGURO Hiroshi / FUTURE OF LIFE Laboratory, Boris LABBÉ, LAUSBUB, NAKAZATO Yuima

Director TeamDirector Team

OGAWA Hideaki Artistic Director HOSOKAWA Asami Festival Director URUSHI Takahiro School Director MARUTA Tomoaki Studio DirectorOGAWA Hideaki (Artistic Director)
HOSOKAWA Asami (Festival Director)
URUSHI Takahiro (School Director)
MARUTA Tomoaki (Studio Director)

AdvisorAdvisor

YAMAZAKI NaokoYAMAZAKI Naoko

DramaturgDramaturg

KANAZAWA Kodama Planet Snow Narrative LeadKANAZAWA Kodama (Planet Snow Narrative Lead)

CuratorCurator

KANAZAWA Kodama Sapporo Citizens Gallery Venue Curator NISHI Tsubasa Sapporo Science Center Venue CuratorKANAZAWA Kodama (Sapporo Citizens Gallery Venue Curator)
NISHI Tsubasa (Sapporo Science Center Venue Curator)

Ainu Culture CoordinatorAinu Culture Coordinator

MayunkikiMayunkiki

Art Director DesignerArt Director & Designer

Wabisabi / SHIRAI HiroakiWabisabi / SHIRAI Hiroaki

OrganizerOrganizer

Sapporo International Art Festival Executive Committee / City of SapporoSapporo International Art Festival Executive Committee / City of Sapporo

Supported bySupported by

Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan / Embassy of Switzerland in JapanAgency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan / Embassy of Switzerland in Japan

As of December 19, 2025As of December 19, 2025

Winter 2026 Pre-EventsWinter 2026 Pre-Events

サイアフ will once again hold three pre-events this winter.

サイアフ will present a much-talked-about piece that was previously shown at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, at the Sapporo Snow Festival Odori Site. In addition, サイアフ will host “Let’s Upaste 2026,” a program that brings together Sapporo’s winter art events, and “サイアフ School Education Cafe Special Edition STEAM STUDY DAY 2026 Let’s experience the future of schools Workshop and talk event,” a festival of workshops by school teachers and artists.
SIAF will once again hold three pre-events this winter.

SIAF will present a much-talked-about piece that was previously shown at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, at the Sapporo Snow Festival Odori Site. In addition, SIAF will host “Let’s Upaste!! 2026,” a program that brings together Sapporo’s winter art events, and “SIAF School Education Cafe Special Edition: STEAM STUDY DAY 2026 –Let’s experience the future of schools! Workshop and talk event–,” a festival of workshops by school teachers and artists.