[Kyoto University of the Arts, Uryuyama Gakuen Educational Foundation] Asian Art Players Gather in Kyoto – International Symposium to Consider the Future of the Art Ecosystem
Kyoto University of the Arts, Uryuyama Gakuen Educational Foundation Press Release: October 27, 2025 Asian art players gather in Kyoto for an international symposium to consider the future of the art ecosystem. Discussion on diverse community-based art practices, from independent spaces to public art museums
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“International Symposium 2025 | The Multilayered Nature of the Art Ecosystem: Players Constructing the Scene” will build on the results of the previous symposium and shed light on the “multilayered nature” of the art ecosystem. Building on ICA Kyoto’s role as a “platform for experiencing the world,” we will invite a diverse range of players involved in locally rooted art practices from both Japan and overseas to discuss the formation of the scene as seen through the positions, values, and practices of each sector, as well as how to get involved and support it. Specifically, we will share the experiences and challenges of three different perspectives with different roles and scales: 1. independent art spaces and collectives, 2. private foundations and intermediary support organizations, and 3. public art museums in Japan and abroad. By addressing themes such as systems and resource distribution, relationships with cultural policy, and sustainability for artists, we will relativize the environment surrounding art and explore forms of collaboration in diverse regions and the unique characteristics of art systems in Asia.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/26069/605/26069-605-abe4b2c6c7f00791282c4eb9db4158f9-645×430.jpg Scenes from the 2022 International Symposium Event Overview ICA Kyoto | International Symposium 2025 The Complexity of the Art Ecosystem: Players Constructing the Scene Speakers: Marie Pansanga (Director and Curator of STORAGE [Bangkok]), Kazuto Tanaka & Kaoru Suga (artist-run space soda [Kyoto]), Mira Asriningtias & Dito Yuwono (Director of Cemeti – Institute for Art and Society) [Yogyakarta]), Huang Hsiaoan (Curator, Hong Foundation [Taipei]), Taro Inamura (Program Director, Saison Foundation [Tokyo]), Kenjiro Hosaka (Director, Shiga
Prefectural Museum of Art [Shiga]), Tsuyoshi Matsuoka
(Curator-in-Chief, Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art [Hiroshima]), Heejeong Park (Manager, Changdong Residency, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) [Seoul]), punto (Collaborative Studio [Kyoto]), TRA-TRAVEL (Art Hub [Osaka]), MOMENT Contemporary Art Center (Contemporary Art Center [Nara]), Rune Kobayashi (Lecturer, Hyogo Prefectural University of Arts, Culture and Tourism), Mami Kataoka (Director, ICA Kyoto), Kazuya Nakayama (Deputy Director, ICA Kyoto), Takuya Tsutsumi (Program Director, ICA Kyoto), Yu Kanazawa (Director of Special Projects, ICA Kyoto) Dates:Saturday, November 8, 2025, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Informal Gathering [Social Gathering] 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM), Sunday, November 9, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Venue:Hakushoin, Bukkoji Temple, Head Temple of the Shinshu Bukkoji School (397 Shinkai-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City)
Capacity:Approximately 80 people (advance reservations required / free entry) Fee:Free Language:Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation available Childcare:Available Organized by:ICA Kyoto, Kyoto University of Arts Graduate School Supported by:Ogasawara Toshiaki Memorial Foundation Sponsored by:Jam Akhzar Supported by:BnA Alter Museum If you would like to participate, please apply on this website▼ https://icakyoto.art/programs/symposium/ Event Details DAY 1 | Saturday, November 8th —- 13:00-13:30 ■Introduction 13:30-15:00 ■Session 1: “How do we foster local art scenes?” This session focuses on independent art spaces, initiatives, associations, etc. We will share local practices related to individual art scenes. Speakers: Marie Pansanga (Director and Curator of STORAGE [Bangkok, Thailand]), Kazuto Tanaka & Kaoru Suga (artist-run space soda [Kyoto]), Mira Asriningtias & Dito Yuwono (Director of Cemeti – Institute for Art and Society [Yogyakarta, Indonesia]) Moderator: Takuya Tsutsumi (ICA Kyoto Program Director) —- 15:20-16:30 ■Session 2 “How do we nurture local artists and internationalize them?” This session focuses on private foundations that provide grants and support. We will examine the dynamics of how grant systems and resource allocation can support and develop artists. Speakers: Huang Xiaoan (Curator, Hong Foundation [Taipei, Taiwan]) Taro Inamura (Program Director, Saison Foundation [Tokyo]) Moderator: Rune Kobayashi (Lecturer, Hyogo University of Arts, Culture and Tourism) —- 17:30-20:00 [Venue: BnA Alter Museum] ■Informal Gathering [Social Gathering] Advance reservations required Catering will be provided. Drinks may be purchased at the bar on-site. DAY 2 | Sunday, November 9 —- 10:00-11:30 ■Session 3: “How can museums be involved in the current art ecosystem?” With guests from art museums in Japan and Asia, we will explore how these public institutions can take responsibility for and contribute to the current art scene. Speakers: Kenjiro Hosaka (Director, Shiga Prefectural Museum of Art [Shiga]) Tsuyoshi Matsuoka (Curator-in-Chief, Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art [Hiroshima]) Heejeong Park (Manager, Changdong Residency, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA)) [Seoul, South Korea]) Moderator: Mami Kataoka (Director, ICA Kyoto) —- 13:00-14:00 ■Kansai Local Players’ Pitch This corner will feature pitches introducing local players, studios, and bases in the Kansai region, including Kyoto. The aim is to raise awareness among international guests and visitors, leading to new encounters and exchanges. Speakers: Joint Studio punto [Kyoto] Art Hub TRA-TRAVEL [Osaka] Contemporary Art Center MOMENT Contemporary Art Center [Nara] Facilitator: Kanazawa Rin (Director of Special Projects, ICA Kyoto)
—- 14:30-15:45 ■Session 4: General Review Session, General Discussion In this session, organizers and participants will come together to reflect on the insights gained through the symposium. They will also share questions and feedback from the audience and outline prospects for future developments. Speakers: Rune Kobayashi (Lecturer, Hyogo Prefectural University of Arts, Culture, and Tourism), Mami Kataoka (Director, ICA Kyoto), Kazuya Nakayama (Vice Director, ICA Kyoto), Takuya Tsutsumi (Program Director, ICA Kyoto), Yu Kanazawa (Director of Special Projects, ICA Kyoto), and others About ICA Kyoto The name ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) is widely known as the ICA London, founded in 1946. Its avant-garde and experimental concept has spread throughout the world, developing into a creative space where diverse genres intersect, centering on contemporary art. ICA Kyoto shares this spirit and was established as a venue for
experimental production and research in contemporary art. As the contemporary art ecosystem becomes increasingly complex, connecting with the global world is no easy task. Kyoto is also a unique city deeply rooted in traditional Japanese culture. It is essential to consider how to resonate with global contemporary art and create new value within its social, historical, and cultural context. ICA Kyoto shares these challenges and serves as an open platform connecting Kyoto with the world. In collaboration with graduate school education, we will work hard to build a network of artists and curators, primarily in Asia, in order to cultivate talent who will be active globally in the art scene of the future. https://icakyoto.art/
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/26069/605/26069-605-b27ca654e376df5eb8a6a81a50227299-649×433.jpg From the Activities of ICA Kyoto – Talk Event “ICA Kyoto TALK” situation
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/26069/605/26069-605-314a588c19a7b8cb1dd26f6fdedf634e-2124×1306.png From ICA Kyoto’s Activities – Hosting the Asian Art University Student Conference (November 2025)
