S-AIR was established in 1999 with partial funding by the agency for cultural affairs, to run an artist-in-residence program in Hokkaido. S-AIR started a collaborative residency project with ICC, in which we have been building networks with Japanese and international artists as well as art institutions in Japan and overseas. In 2011, S-AIR initiated a new programme, FRONTIER, which is supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. They aim to invite talented domestic and foreign artists and give them the opportunity to work and stay in Sapporo for two months. During their stay a broad range of cultural exchange will take place, with local artists and students, as well as, local citizens. The residency program will focus on exchange between ICC and S-AI'' and an international art or creative organizations.

The institution runs several different residency programs for national, regional and international artists in 2014. For Japanese artists, please read the S-AIR Award; artists who come from ASEAN countires (Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos), please read here; and for international artists check their blog for updated residency opportunities.