USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka; Seeking Cultural Performers and Expert Speakers
Meridian International Center and the United States (U.S.) Department of State’s International Expositions Unit (Expo Unit) are seeking U.S. Cultural Performers and Expert Speakers to perform and/or speak at the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. This program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State and is implemented by Meridian International Center. All travel and lodging expenses will be covered by the program. Cultural Performers and Expert Speakers should:
- Embody the best and most authentic representation of American dance, music, theatre, literature, art, food, sport, and other aspects of 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.
Guide to Applications
Frequently Asked Questions
Option 1: Two-Month Cultural Performers Residency
Cultural Performers will participate in one (of three) residencies; each residency will consist of a group or “cohort.” Each residency is eight weeks in duration; Cultural Performers should specify their preferred residency.
Groups or Solo? Cultural Performers can be solo acts or can be a group of up to five individuals. Throughout the residency, the cohort will regularly engage Expo visitors through live, entertaining in-person performances and other activities such as “open hours” to informally share their artform, musical instruments, traditions, props, and costumes, with audiences. In addition to rehearsals and performances inside the USA Pavilion, these Cultural Performers may be invited to perform at other Expo stages or venues (outside of the USA Pavilion) or may be asked to collaborate with other performers and speakers at other Expo pavilions. Some Cultural Performers may also have an added role as a guest speaker during their residency. Selected Two-Month Cultural Performers will be in one of the following cohorts and must be able to commit to the entire residency:
- Cohort 1: April 13 – June 13, 2025
- Cohort 2: June 13 – August 13, 2025
- Cohort 3: August 13 – October 13, 2025
Option 2: Short-Term Cultural Performers/Expert Speakers
Meridian and the Expo Unit are seeking 30 U.S. Cultural Performers/Expert Speakers to travel to Osaka for week-long visits (travel days included). Expert Speakers will engage Expo 2025 visitors in the USA Pavilion in varied subjects that include American dance, music, theatre, literature/spoken word, art, crafts, design, film, food, sport, multidisciplinary arts, and various other aspects of American culture. Each Short-Term Cultural Performer/Expert Speaker will work at least three “program days” while in Osaka; programming may vary in format depending on topics, and may be presented as workshops, demonstrations, master classes, and/or panel discussions. Short-Term Cultural Performers/Expert Speakers may be invited to perform at other Expo venues or collaborate with performers and speakers at other Expo pavilions. Some Two-Month Cultural Performers may also have an added role as a Short-Term Cultural Performer/Expert Speaker during their residencies.
APPLY NOW to become a Short-Term Cultural Performer/Expert Speaker at the USA PavilionSelection Criteria
Applicants must be:
- Outstanding representatives in respective fields of American dance, music, theatre, literature, art, film, food, sport, and other aspects of American culture
- Individuals and groups who have excelled in their discipline
- In possession of or able to obtain a U.S. passport (green card holders and non-U.S. citizens are ineligible)
- Willing to present at lectures, performances, demonstrations, master classes, and/or panel discussions
Eligibility
- Must be at least 18 years of age at time of travel
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must NOT have been convicted of a felony or be delinquent on child support payments
Selection Criteria
- Excellence and experience in their field and in public performance
- Clear and effective communication skills
- Potential to thrive as cultural diplomats and to use their discipline to promote cultural exchange
- Possesses sensitivity towards cultural and personal differences
- A robust portfolio highlighting career success
Application Requirements
- Short bio
- Short answers explaining your suitability for the position, relevant experience and performing history, as well as an explanation of how you would use your discipline to help promote cultural exchange and build community
- Résumé (1-2 pages; must be PDF file)
- 3 references with contact information (no recommendations should be sent at this time)
- Links to 3 work samples (each video should be 5 minutes or less) and/or online portfolio
- High-quality videos of live performances, workshops or demonstrations are preferred
- For specific genres, applicants can upload high-resolution images (see Guide to Applications for more information)
- New material does not need to be created for this application
Timeline
Applications are due by November 30, 2024, at 11:59PM EST. The selection committee will convene in early January 2025 to review applications. Selected applicants will be notified no later than February. Cultural Performers and Expert Speakers will be required to attend a virtual orientation prior to their two-month residency or short-term program.
Commitment to DEIA
Meridian supports and fosters diversity in all its program activities. Meridian, through its core values, promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts across all levels of staff and programming activities. Cultural Performers and Speakers will be selected with considerations of representatives’ unique backgrounds and abilities.
Meridian and the Expo Unit do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex (including gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.
About Expo 2025
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. Expo will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. This will be the third time Osaka hosts a World Expo and the sixth time Japan hosts a World Expo. Expo is returning to Japan, 55 years after Japan and Asia’s first ever World Expo, the Osaka Expo 1970. The theme of Expo 2025 is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The Expo’s subthemes are “Saving Lives,” “Empowering Lives,” and “Connecting Lives.”
About Meridian International Center
Meridian International Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan diplomacy center that has worked for over 60 years to connects leaders through culture and collaboration to drive solutions for complex challenges facing their organizations, communities, and countries with the vision that greater understanding and collaboration between the U.S. and the world leads to a more secure, prosperous future. The Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy is the leading center in the U.S. that employs the arts and culture as a tool of diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding. We work in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, our American embassies abroad as well as the diplomatic community here in Washington, DC, to develop and curate exhibitions, exchanges and programs that range from film screenings to mural arts programs to music performances. Our programs have reached millions of people in more than 310 cities in at least 80 countries worldwide.
About the International Expositions Unit
The Department of State is responsible for U.S. participation in international exhibitions. The Department’s Expo Unit in the Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources, created in 2017, manages U.S. engagement with the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), organizes U.S. participation at overseas Expos (also known as World’s Fairs), and mobilizes international support for U.S. candidacies to host Expos.