About

About the Museum

The Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts opened in 1972 as one of the first public museums of modern and contemporary art in Japan. Kiyoshi KAWASAKI designed the museum architecture including the collection galleries built in 1981.

The museum houses a collection of Japanese modern and contemporary artworks, primarily those with connection to Tochigi Prefecture. It is also notable for the works by famous artists of Western Europe such as France, England and Germany.

The collection comprises around 9000 objects, including prints, illustrated books, photographs, and crafts. We hold 4 special exhibitions a year in addition to collection exhibits rotations. In the Meissen Porcelain Collection Room, around 100 works are displayed. The exhibits from the best collection of Meissen porcelain in Japan are rotated about 4 times annually.

Concept

The museum is an institution for societal education. At the same time, we aim to be utilized by school education. We carry out research, collection, preservation, education, and promotion that will be useful to visitors. Additionally, we maintain an aesthetic environment in order to liberate the mind.

Objectives

  1. Exhibition, collection, preservation and research relating to art works.
  2. Active participation in national and international art scenes.
  3. Various activities (lectures, concerts, performances, workshops, etc.) for the improvement of art and culture.
  4. Close relationship with school education.
  5. Presentation of artistic circumstances for refinement of the mind.
  6. Cooperation with friends and affiliated organizations.

History

1968
Dec. Request for construction of art museum at 121st Tochigi Prefectural Assembly
1969
Jul. Inauguration of construction committee
Sep. Design of museum building entrusted to KAWASAKI Kiyoshi
1971
May. Inauguration of preparation committee for museum administration
Jul. Ground-breaking ceremony
1972
Nov. 2 Completion and opening ceremony
Nov. 3 Open to the public
1992
Nov. 1 20th anniversary exhibition “Sun, Wind and Rain”
1995
Nov. 6 - 0ct. 11, 1996 Closed for renovation
1997
Apr. - Mar., 1998 25th anniversary exhibitions on this term
1998
Apr. Co-management by the Tochigi Prefectural Governor’s Office and the Board of Education
2002
Sep. Designated as an institution for Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
2007
Mar. 14 – Mar. 31, 2008 Closed for renovation
2008
Apr. Opening of the Meissen Porcelain Collection Room
2010
Mar. - Oct. Closed for renovation
2011
Jul. Renovation of the lighting system in the collection galleries (introduction of LED lighting system)
2012
Jul. Renovation of the lighting system in the special exhibition galleries and the auditorium (introduction of LED lighting system)