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.
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.
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” |
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) |
2008 |
Apr. |
Opening of the Meissen Porcelain Collection Room |
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) |