From Bridgestone Museum of Art ​​to Artizon Museum

“Experiencing Creativity”
Concept for a new era

Every new work of art shines a little more light onto our future path. All of the art museum’s activities, including our collection, are underpinned by the desire to propose, protect, and foster creativity that illuminates the way forward. Our concept for the new museum is “experiencing creativity.” We will not only provide a place for art appreciation, but also encourage visitors to experience creativity in the works of art by seeing, feeling, and understanding. Our hope is for this inspiration to provide the impetus for tracing a new path. The Artizon Museum aspires to contribute to culture as a place that supports creativity.

A fresh start under a new name Artizon Museum

The new name, Artizon, was coined by combining the word “art” with the word “horizon”, taking words from the English language in anticipation of the international nature of the museum’s future activities. On the horizon before us, more new forms of expression are being created, even as we look back on countless works of art from the past to the present. Beyond the horizon awaits the spirit of the future which will light the way forward. The word “horizon” reflects our determination to impart a sense of this limitless horizon of art to many people, surpassing generational and geographical boundaries.

Pursuing
a cutting-edge museum

The museum’s activities are expanding. We are offering educational activities in addition to staging exhibitions, and the scope of our collection is expanding to include antiquities and contemporary art in addition to the previous modern Japanese western-style art, impressionism, and twentieth century art. To enhance the museum’s “hardware”, or facilities, in a way that complements this expansion in its “software”, or services and programs, the exhibition spaces will roughly double in size, occupying three floors. A ceiling height of 4.2 meters will accommodate large works of art. Everything about the museum of art will be renewed at a high level, including up-to-date information systems. Our goal is a general museum of art that more and more people can enjoy.

Evolving the heritage of the Bridgestone Museum of Art for the future

The founder, Shojiro Ishibashi, established the Bridgestone Museum of Art in 1952 with the great desire to make a cultural contribution to society. The museum became a leader among Japanese art establishments in promoting art and culture in central Tokyo. The Ishibashi Foundation was established in 1956 to carry on these aspirations, and it has guided the history of the Bridgestone Museum of Art’s activities ever since.
With all-new facilities, the new Artizon Museum will continue to build on the past achievements and heritage of its predecessor as it evolves to serve the public interest even better than before as an art museum that will shape the future.