EXPO 2025 OSAKA USA PAVILION SHORT-TERM CULTURAL PERFORMERS & EXPERT SPEAKERS PROGRAM APPLICATION

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The six-month long Expo 2025 Osaka marks the return of the World Expo to Japan 20 years after the Aichi Expo 2005 and is expected to attract over 28 million visitors. The event is scheduled for April 13 to October 13, 2025, 55 years after Japan and Asia’s first ever World Expo, the Osaka Expo 1970. This will be the third time Osaka hosts a World Expo and the sixth time Japan hosts a World Expo. The theme of Expo 2025 Osaka is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The Expo’s subthemes are “Saving Lives,” “Empowering Lives,” and “Connecting Lives.”

The U.S. Department of State's International Expositions (Expo Unit) has awarded a cooperative agreement to Meridian International to recruit U.S. Cultural Performers and Expert Speakers to perform and/or speak at the official USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. All travel and lodging expenses will be covered by the program and there is an honorarium of $300 per day for seven days for Short-Term Cultural Performers/Expert Speakers.

Cultural Performers and Expert Speakers should:

Embody the best and most authentic representation of American dance, music, theatre, literature, art, food, sport, and other touch points in American culture;

Collectively reflect the full cultural richness and diversity of the U.S.;

Attract the interest and engagement of Expo visitors through varied performances, workshops, lectures, panel discussions, master classes, and media engagements; and

Support U.S. public diplomacy goals to promote U.S. history, culture, and values in Japan and throughout the region.

Meridian and the Expo Unit are seeking 30 U.S. Cultural Performers and/or Expert Speakers to travel to Osaka for week-long visits (travel days included). Cultural Performers/Expert Speakers will engage Expo 2025 visitors at the USA Pavilion in varied subjects that include American dance, music, theatre, literature/spoken word, art, crafts, design, film, food, sport, multidisciplinary arts, and other touch points in American culture. Each Performer/Expert Speaker will have at least three program days while in Osaka; their programming may vary in format depending on Performer/Expert Speaker preferences and topics, and may be presented as workshops, demonstrations, master classes, and/or panel discussions.  Performers/Expert Speakers may be invited to perform at other Expo venues or collaborate with performers and speakers at other Expo pavilions. This program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Meridian International Center. Applications will close on November 30, 2024 at 11:59PM EST; Please submit all application-related questions to expo@meridian.org by November 22, 2024.

Are you applying as a Cultural Performer, Expert Speaker, or Both? *

Cultural Performer

Expert Speaker

Both

What is your field? *

What is your genre within your discipline? (i.e., spoken word, photography, Hip Hop, contemporary dance, cheerleading, Judo) *

Name as listed on government-issued ID *

Artist Name (if different from government name):

Phone Number *

Email address: *

City *

State/Territory *

To which gender do you most identify? *

What are your preferred pronouns? *

To which race/ethnicity do you identify? (Please check all that resonate) *

Do you speak any other languages besides English? *

Yes

No

If yes, which language(s)?

Please list any social media handles you currently use: *

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Eligibility

Please answer the following. *

	Yes	No
Are you a U.S. citizen?	Yes	No
Do you have a valid U.S. passport or can obtain one within the next 6 months?	Yes	No
Are you at least 18 years of age or older?	Yes	No
Have you been convicted of a felony?	Yes	No
Are you delinquent on child support payments?	Yes	No

Do you have any dates that you cannot travel for this program between April-October 2025? *

Yes

No

Please detail below which dates you are unable to travel: *

Short Questions & Bio

Please provide a short bio: *

0/150 words

Please upload your résumé:

Limit your résumé to 2 pages and upload as a PDF file. Do not submit a press kit or any promotional materials.

Résumé *

Please answer the short questions below:

Each Short-Term Cultural Performer/Expert Speaker will have at least 3 program days while in Osaka; programming may vary in format depending on performer/expert speaker preferences and topics, and may be presented as demonstrations/performances, master classes, and/or workshops.

What is your proposed program(s) and format(s)? (150 words or less) *

0/150 words

How will your proposed program showcase American culture, history, and values? (150 words or less) *

0/150 words

How do you approach or engage people with different experiences, values, or viewpoints? (150 words or less) *

0/150 words

What past experience has prepared you for this program? (150 words or less) *

0/150 words

Does your proposed program address any of the following topics? (Select all that apply)

Select the SDG(s) that apply:

What branch of technology?

Which audience(s) would be suited for your proposed program? (Please check all that apply) *

Have you participated in any other U.S. Department of State program? (i.e., American Film Showcase, American Music Abroad, Arts Envoys, Fulbright, Next Level, etc.) *

Yes

No

Which U.S. Department of State program(s) have you participated in? *

Do you have any experience or expertise in Japan and/or the region? *

Yes

No

Please explain:

References

Please provide 3 references below:

Reference #1 *

Relationship *

Email Address *

Reference #2 *

Relationship *

Email Address *

Reference #3 *

Relationship *

Email Address *

Work Samples

If you are submitting literature (3 short samples) or photos (up to 10 photos), please upload here in a single document:

If you are submitting videos, please provide 3 working links to creative work samples:

URL #1

URL #2

URL #3

If your video work sample(s) is longer than five minutes, please note where you would like panelists to begin viewing (e.g. 00:05:15)

Provide all passwords or include any necessary information required to view your work sample(s), such as plug-ins or navigation paths:

Please read the Guide to Application and FAQs carefully before submitting your application (links will be updated once website is live):

FAQs

Guide to Application

*

I have read the Guide to Applications and FAQs and understand my application may not be considered if it is incomplete.