YPAM (Yokohama International Performing Arts Meeting) is a place where professionals from various places of the world who explore the possibility of contemporary performing arts exchange through performance and meeting programs to gain information, inspiration and network for the creation, dissemination and vitalization of the performing arts. Established in 1995 as Tokyo Performing Arts Market and moved in 2011 to the “Creative City” Yokohama. Reinforced its focus on Asia and started to involve itself in Asian co-production in 2015. Having survived for more than 25 years, the event has become internationally recognized as one of the most influential performing arts platforms in Asia. Except programs that are specifically designed for professional purposes, most of the event is accessible to non-professional audiences.
The program of YPAM2022 (December 1-18, 2022) will be announced in early October 2022. The latest information will be distributed through our e-newsletter.
1995
Started as Tokyo Performing Arts Market (TPAM) to promote international circulation of productions. Held annually as an event consisting of booth exhibitions, showcases and exchange programs since then.
2005
Redefined itself as an event for Japanese and international professionals who engage in contemporary performing arts. Reformed the open-call official showcases into genre-specific programs curated by appointed directors. Started an open-call program “TPAM Fringe.”
2008
Hosted the first IETM Asia Satellite Meeting in Japan. Defined the event’s main objective as development of international open networks of professionals.
2009
Hosted an international meeting “Performing Arts Presenters’ Network Conference” on the theme of professional networking in Asia.
2010
Co-organized a series of showcases of participatory interactive performance “Connected” with the British Council.
2011
Moved from Tokyo to Yokohama and renamed itself as “Performing Arts Meeting in Yokohama.” In place of the genre-specific showcases, started “TPAM Direction” for which appointed directors develop concepts from scratch. Hosted the second IETM Asia Satellite Meeting in Japan. In response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant that occurred soon after the 2011 edition, held “TPAM in Yokohama Summer Session” at Yokohama Creativecity Center.
2012
Started an international conference and performance program on the theme of the artist in residence in the performing arts. Held “TPAM in Yokohama Autumn Session” on freedom of expression and the international activity of emerging artists at Yokohama Creativecity Center.
2013
Abolished booth exhibition and shifted to “TPAM Exchange” with a focus on participants’ spontaneous, mutual communication.
2015
Started a five-year Asian focus program, exploring new models of international co-production with Southeast Asia.
2016
Co-produced Dancing with Death by Pichet Klunchun, Baling by Mark Teh and Anomalous Fantasy_Korea Version by siren eun young jung. Started a music program in TPAM Direction.
2017
Co-produced BALABALA by Eko Supriyanto. Co-hosted “Asian Dramaturgs’ Network Meeting 2017” with Centre 42.
2018
Co-hosted “Asian Dramaturgs’ Network Satellite Symposium 2018: Dramaturgy and the Political” with Centre 42.
2019
Co-produced The Mysterious Lai Teck by Ho Tzu Nyen, Notional History by Five Arts Centre and GE14 by Fahmi Fadzil and Zan Yamashita.
2020
Co-produced IBUIBU BELU: Bodies of Borders by Eko Supriyanto and No. 60 by Pichet Klunchun. Hosted the meeting of Asia Network for Dance (AND+).
2021
Co-produced Voice of Void by Ho Tzu Nyen. Renamed itself as Yokohama International Performing Arts Meeting (YPAM). Started to reinforce the infrastructure of the fringe program and to reorganize the exchange program into a hybrid event.