March 21, 2020
A New Chapter in Kyoto’s History of Culture and Art
The Museum opened in 1933 as the Kyoto Enthronement Memorial Museum of
Art in Kyoto’s Okazaki district,
itself an expression of the city’s modern trends at the time.
The establishment of the Museum owes much to the generous support of many local citizens.
The Museum opened in 1933 as the Kyoto Enthronement Memorial Museum of Art in Kyoto’s Okazaki district, itself an expression of the city’s modern trends at the time. The establishment of the Museum owes much to the generous support of many local citizens.
It was renamed the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art after World War II.
As Japan’s oldest pubic art museum that is housed in its original architecture,
its classical visage standing against the backdrop of
Higashiyama has been highly appreciated for 85 years.
It was renamed the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art after World War II. As Japan’s oldest pubic art museum that is housed in its original architecture, its classical visage standing against the backdrop of Higashiyama has been highly appreciated for 85 years.
The innovative concepts of two leading Japanese architects,
Aoki Jun and Nishizawa Tezzo, for the Museum
renewal project introduced new designs while preserving original elements,
thus allowing for a fusion of old and new to create a fresh image for the Museum.
We invite you to enjoy the new Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art.
The innovative concepts of two leading Japanese architects, Aoki Jun and Nishizawa Tezzo, for the Museum renewal project introduced new designs while preserving original elements, thus allowing for a fusion of old and new to create a fresh image for the Museum.
We invite you to enjoy the new Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art.
Since 1933
HISTORY 1933-2015
1933
Kyoto Enthronement Memorial Museum of Art opens. The two-storey Imperial Crown Style steel-framed reinforced concrete structure was built with support from Kansai business and art sectors, and Kyoto citizens to commemorate the 1928 enthronement ceremonies.
1934
The Kyoto Enthronement Memorial Museum of Art Exhibition, with many works donated by the Committee for the Celebration of the Enthronement.
1935
The 1st Art Exhibition (Shiten), sponsored by the city of Kyoto and organized through open submissions of the general public.
1944
Museum activities continue, despite conditions of World War II. After direct air raids to Japan, some of the Museum collection is evacuated to Daikaku-ji Temple and other places on the outskirts of Kyoto.
1945
The war ends during the 9th Exhibition of Works by Local Artists and the Permanent Collection.
The 1st Kyoto Municipal Art Exhibition (Kyoten) is held shortly after the end of the war.
1946
Occupation forces requisition the Museum site, including the main building; the large exhibition hall is used as a basketball court.
1952
The Museum is derequisitioned, renamed “Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art”, resumes activities. The Kyoto Masterpiece Exhibition in Commemoration of the Museum Re-opening is held, featuring major works by 10 Kyoto artists.
1955
The Museum hosts the French Art from the Louvre Museum traveling exhibition as its first large international exhibit.
1957
Kyoto Independent Exhibition sponsored by the city of Kyoto for young artists (continues until 1991).
1963
Retrospective Exhibition of the Society for Creation of National Painting
1964
Venus de Milo Exhibition attracts more than 890,000 visitors.
1965
Tutankhamun Exhibition attracts more than 1.07 million visitors, breaking the previous record for attendance (according to updated figures).
1967
Art Handcraft in Kyoto: The Past Hundred Years of Development
1971
A new storage facility for the collection is completed.
Nine Excellent Japanese-style Painters in Kyoto exhibition.
1972
Kyoto Biennale 1972 (2nd in 1973; 3rd in 1976).
1987
Modern Trend Japanese-Style Painting and Crafts in Kyoto
1989
Inauguration of the Artists in Kyoto exhibition (continues 28 iterations, until 2008)
1991
Modern Craftwork in Kyoto 1945-1970
2000
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art Annex opened.
2003
70th Anniversary Celebration: Favorites and Memories
2006
Asai Chu and the Kansai Bijutsuin
2013
80th anniversary special exhibitions: The Story of Shiten and Kyoten Municipal Exhibition and Drawings and Sketches of Takeuchi Seiho.
2015
Parasophia: Kyoto International Festival of Contemporary Culture 2015 (with annexes at the Museum of Kyoto and 7 other locations in Kyoto).
Renewal Planning 2014-2018
2014
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art Future Plan formulated on the occasion of the Museum’s 80th anniversary.
2014
2015
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art Basic Redevelopment Plan formulated.
Jun Aoki & Associates and Tezzo Nishizawa Architects are selected among 19 applicants in the open competition for proposals for the basic design.
2015
2017
Naming rights offered to promote the redevelopment project. Kyocera Corporation concludes a ¥5 billion 50 year naming rights contract.
The Museum is temporarily closed for repair and expansion.
2017
2018
January 2018
Construction work begins.
2018
Now 2019
2019 End of October
Completion of the construction. Various pre-opening events.
2019Now
2020
2020 March 21
Museum reopens to public.
2020
From 2020 onwards
Museum designed by Aoki Jun and Nishizawa Tezzo will be unvailed
Aoki Jun
Architect. Born in 1956 in Yokohama. Completed the University of Tokyo Master’s Degree Program in the Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering. After working at Arata Isozaki & Associates, he established his own practice, Jun Aoki & Associates, in 1991. Representative works include: “Mamihara Bridge” (Kumamoto Landscape Award), “S” (Yoshioka Award), “Fukushima Lagoon Museum” (Architectural Institute of Japan Annual Award), “Louis Vuitton Omotesando” (BCS Award), “Aomori Museum of Art,” “Omiyamae Gymnasium,” and “Miyoshi City Hall, Kiriri.” Aoki’s activities traverse various genres, including design in a broad range of architecture categories such as public buildings, commercial buildings, and private houses, as well as creation of art installations. He was awarded the Minister of Education’s Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists in 2005. http://www.aokijun.com
Nishizawa Tezzo
Architect. Born in 1974 in Kyoto. Graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts Fine Arts Department. After working in Jun Aoki & Associates established his own practice in 2007. Representative works include: “Louis Vuitton Matsuya Ginza store renovation,” and “Aomori Museum of Art” (at Jun Aoki & Associates), The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo Collection Gallery renovation, and the “Hachinohe City Museum of Art.” His activities also include housing construction and renovation, as well as a number of art exhibition designs, including Waiting for Video, Paul Klee, Re: Play (all at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo). http://tezzonishizawa.com
Highlights
New Activities
for a Renewed Museum
Layout Plan
KYOCERA Square
Sloped open space where visitors gather and interact
Glass Ribbon
New modern design, symbolizing the renewed museum
Higashiyama Cube
A new gallery showcasing various forms of contemporary art
The Triangle
A space for emerging artists
Main Building: South and North Wings
Historical space for experiencing art
Central Hall
Large multi-functional space
Atrium and Sky Courtyard
Two courtyards newly opened to the public
Collection
The Museum houses a comprehensive permanent collection of art by Kyoto artists, including Nihonga (Japanese-style painting), Western-style painting, sculpture, crafts, calligraphy, and prints.
Important works by Kyoto artists form the core of the collection that consists of around 3600 pieces, including works donated by artists and their families, and by collectors.
Some of these will be on permanent view following the renewal opening.
News
Support
We look forward to your support in assuring the continued development and legacy of
the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art as an important presence in Kyoto to be enjoyed by all.
