Supporting creative work.
We develop business models that generate income and opportunities for artists. Our goal is ongoing support that makes the next project possible, not a one-time contribution.
ARTIST SUPPORT & CO-CREATION
Paw
PRIMARY ARTIST WORKA future where artists
can make a living by creating.
We turn the value of creative work into opportunities for what comes next, building sustainable businesses grounded in support and collaboration.
01 PHILOSOPHY
Building a society
where creators can keep creating.
Art can move people and bring new value to everyday life and society. We believe the value created by artists should translate into fair compensation and enable their next work. PRIMARY ARTIST WORK aims to make this cycle sustainable through business.
02 APPROACH
Support creators. Create together.
We respect artistic freedom and diversity while working to create conditions that help artists sustain their practice. Support and co-creation are the two foundations of Paw.
Building businesses together.
We work with artists as equal partners, not simply as recipients of support. By bringing creative expression and business together, we develop new value collaboratively.
03 OUR MODEL
Returning value to the people who create it.
Our first project, Hikarito., plans to support artists through both accommodation revenue and sales of exhibited artworks.
10%
10% of accommodation fees for creative work
For a stay costing ¥10,000, ¥1,000 will go toward artists and the production of new work. This is our planned model for giving back through accommodation.
70:30
Artists receive 70% of artwork sales
For artworks sold during exhibitions, the planned split is 70% to the artist and 30% to the inn. The same terms will apply to visiting artists and artists who may be employed by us in the future.
These are planned business policies for launch. Details of operation and participation will be announced as preparations progress.
04 FIRST PROJECT
Hikarito.
ART & STAY NAKANOJO
A four-room inn in a renovated former ryokan, bringing art and hospitality together. It will be the first place to put Paw’s philosophy into practice.
OPENING IN PREPARATIONYour stay,
Your stay,
a source of creativity.
Opening preparations are underway for a four-room, room-only, self-service inn. We aim to create a place that offers value to both travelers and artists.
Visit the Hikarito. website05 ABOUT Paw
- Business name
- PRIMARY ARTIST WORK
- Brand name
- Paw
- Representative
- Masaru Hitomi
- Location
- Nakanojo, Agatsuma District, Gunma, Japan
- Activities
- Artist support, co-creation projects, and development of art-related accommodation
About the founder
Masaru Hitomi
人見 将
Founder / Photographer
A photographer who moved to Nakanojo, Gunma, in 2017. He previously served as chair of the Nakanojo Biennale executive committee and has worked on initiatives connecting art with the local community.
With experience in accommodation operations, he began developing PRIMARY ARTIST WORK (Paw) in 2026 to build a sustainable business model that helps artists continue creating.
He is now preparing to open Hikarito., an art-and-stay project that gives the former Yamakiya inn a new life.
FOLLOW OUR FIRST PROJECT
@info.hikarito Follow Hikarito.’s progress toward opening.
Follow the renovation and our new initiatives on Instagram.