Our History

Jan. 12

“For the People, By the People: Recommendations on the Cultural Administration of the City of Yokohama” report is submitted by the City of Yokohama Cultural Issues Group.

Oct. 26

Museum of Art Basic Concepts Committee is established.

Mar. 18

Museum of Art Basic Concepts Committee presents its findings in the report “About the Basic Concept of Yokohama City Art Museum.”

Sept. 20

The Yokohama City Museum of Art’s Research Committee on Architectural Design is established.

Apr. 9

Museum of Art’s Design Conditions Study Group findings are enumerated.

Apr. 20

Architectural design of the Museum of Art is entrusted to Kenzo Tange + Urtec.

Childrens’ Workshop Study Group (1983–1988) is launched.

The collection of businessman Sakata Takeo, founder of Sakata Seed Corporation, centered on works from the Barbizon school, is donated, and the acquisition of Nagaoka Contemporary Art Museum former Taiko Collection is completed.

Jan. 27

Yokohama Museum of Art Cooperation is established.

Exhibitions showcasing the museum’s progress in expanding its collection are held at the Yokohama Civic Art Gallery and other locations.

Citizens’ Workshop Research Group activities begin (active through 1990).

Oct. 1

Yokohama Art Foundation is established as the governing body of the institution.

Mar. 31

Construction of the museum is completed.

Sept.

Yokohama City Council ratifies “Yokohama Museum of Art” as the official name of the institution.

Sept. 24

The Yokohama Museum of Art Ordinance is issued.

The museum’s mini music concerts including “YMA Classic Live” are launched in the Grand Gallery.

Experimental film screenings are hosted by the Art Information and Media Center.

First issue of the Yokohama Museum of Art newsletter “RGB” is published (final issue in 2005).

Jun. 28–30

The International Symposium on Art Museum Education 1992 is convened.

Jul.

Art critic Tsuruta Heihachiro is appointed as Director, becoming the second to fulfill that role in the museum’s history.

Inaugural lecture on art history is hosted by the Art Information and Media Center (lecture series continues intermittently until 2001).

Jul.

Art historian Kagesato Tetsuro is appointed as the museum’s third ever Director.

“Japanese Art after 1945: Scream against the Sky” exhibition is guest-curated by Alexandra Munroe.

First volume of “Yokohama Museum of Art Library” [Yokohama Bijutsukan Sosho] imprint is published (eighth and final volume published in 2003).

With support from the Information-Technology Promotion Agency, Japan, a server is built and the museum’s website comes online.

“Bulletin of Yokohama Museum of Art” [Yokohama Bijutsukan Kiyo] No.1 is published.

Art Information Gallery is renovated.

Apr.

Yokohama Art Foundation merges with the Yokohama Culture Foundation, forming the Yokohama Arts Foundation.
Art historian Yukiyama Koji is appointed as the museum’s fourth Director.

City of Yokohama “Creative City” policy is launched.

Minatomirai Station opens.

Artist in Museum Yokohama (AIMY) residency program (2005–2009) is launched.

The museum launches its official blog.

Apr.

Yokohama Arts Foundation is appointed administrator of the museum, after the launch of the designated administrator system.

“Endo Matazaemon and His Retainers” (1854), a daguerreotype by Eliphalet BROWN Jr., is named an Important Cultural Property.

First New Artist Picks (NAP), a series of small exhibitions for upcoming artists, is held.

Sept.

Yokohama Museum of Art launches its email newsletter “Web Special.”

Apr.

Joint venture consisting of the Yokohama Arts Foundation, Sotetsu Agency (later renamed), and Mitsubishi Estate Building Management (later renamed) becomes the designated museum administrator.

Heart to Art, a corporate sponsorship program, commences in earnest.

Tuition-based education program Yokohama Museum of Art Juku (2008–2012) is launched.

Yokohama Arts Foundation is chartered as a public interest incorporated foundation.

Apr.

Curator Osaka Eriko is appointed as the museum’s fifth Director.

Yokohama Museum of Art Collection Friends program is launched for individuals to support the museum collections.

Apr. 1

Education Project is launched to promote art appreciation programs.

Apr.

Yokohama Museum of Art launches its official Twitter account.

Apr.

Yokohama Arts Foundation is reappointed administrator of the museum.

Community outreach at hospitals and other offsite healthcare providers begins in earnest.

A large-scale commercial complex opens on the other side of the park in front of the museum.

The museum’s first exhibition of its film and video collection to be held abroad takes place at the Singapore Art Museum annex SAM at 8Q in exchange for the 2013 exhibition “Welcome to the Jungle: Contemporary Art in Southeast Asia from the Collection of Singapore Art Museum.”

Jun.

Yokohama Museum of Art launches its official YouTube channel and Facebook account.

Yokohama Museum of Art is presented with the Minister’s Award for Regional Art-Activities in Japan 2015.

Senior and youth outreach programs are launched.

Partnerships with local schools are bolstered through a collection-based approach to art appreciation.

An exhibition featuring the museum collection is held for the first time in Japan at the Museum of Art, Kochi, and Arts Maebashi.

Special programs commemorating the museum’s 30th anniversary are held.

Sept.

Children’s Workshop and Citizens’ Workshop make a partial return.

Sept.

A series of lectures and educational events called “Demae” is launched at cultural institutions around the 18 wards of Yokohama City.

Oct.

The “Yadokari” Program kicks off at the Temporary Office at PLOT 48, holding workshops and other activities.
Yokohama Museum of Art launches its official “note” account to feature casual articles, reflections, and updates on museum activities.

Apr.

“Exhibition of Artists of the Japan Art Institute from the Collection of Yokohama Museum of Art” opens at the Koriyama City Museum of Art.

Apr.

Third administrative period begins.

Nov.

Renovation of the museum is completed.

Mar. 15

The museum reopens.