Press

(Kyoto, Japan, September 1, 2026) – Art Collaboration Kyoto (ACK) announces further programming highlights for its sixth edition, taking place from November 7 to 9, 2026, with a preview day on November 6, at the Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto). New details include:
　

– Participating artists and expanded curatorial details for the inaugural ACK Intersections, curated by Leonhard Bartolomeus under the theme Out of Bounds;
– Speakers and program highlights for ACK Talks, featuring artist and filmmaker Arthur Jafa, architect Kazuyo Sejima, Art Sonje Center Artistic Director Kim Sunjung, and more;
– ACK Kids’ Programs, including a drop-in Kids’ Studio and a partnership with schools in Kyoto Prefecture, alongside artist- and artisan-led workshops;
– Special Programs presented in the ICC Kyoto with ACK partners, featuring projects by Aiko Miyanaga , Eriko Mukai , Ryunosuke Okazaki, and others;
– Additional exhibitions and presentations across Kyoto through What’s On and ACK’s continued collaboration with Kyoto Art Month; and
– New details for the second Bangkok Collaborate Kyoto Fellowship (BCK Fellowship), including its 2026 jury, award ceremony, and residency opportunity in Bangkok.
　

Launched in 2021, ACK is one of Japan’s leading contemporary art fairs and remains rooted in the spirit of collaboration. ACK’s sixth edition will welcome 63 galleries from 18 countries/regions and 24 cities. The fair’s two principal sections—Gallery Collaborations and Kyoto Meetings—will be complemented by exhibitions, talks, family programs, partner initiatives, and projects extending throughout Kyoto.
　

　

ACK Intersections
Among its additional programs for this year’s edition, ACK introduces ACK Intersections, a curated exhibition that activates a range of indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the venue, with a theme set by a guest curator each year. For its inaugural edition, Leonhard Bartolomeus, curator at the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (YCAM), will lead the exhibition under the theme Out of Bounds. The exhibition explores how invisible systems of control, social conventions, and digital environments shape how we connect with one another. The theme invites artists to challenge traditional forms of presentation and occupy the venue in unexpected ways. By making audiences active participants, the program seeks to restore the spontaneous human connections that modern divisions push apart and explore how art can break through the unspoken rules that flatten nuances and keep us polarized. This year’s participating artists include Efrain Almeida, Piotrek Kowalski, Kris Lemsalu, Ernest Neto, Shota Suzuki, among others. Additional participating artists will be announced.

For additional information, please visit: https://a-c-k.jp/en/intersections/.
　

　

ACK Talks
ACK will host ACK Talks, a diverse series of conversations featuring artists and industry leaders. This year’s series will examine the potential of art as a medium for communication at a time when social conditions and advances in AI and other technologies are prompting renewed questions about human connection. The program will consider themes including the articulation and sharing of values, the transmission of ideas and aesthetics, and the relationship between the individual and history. Speakers include Leonhard Bartolomeus, Arthur Jafa (Artist / Filmmaker), Tomio Koyama (Director / Founder, Tomio Koyama Gallery), Maya Man (Artist), Kazuyo Sejima (Architect), Kim Sunjung (Artistic Director, Art Sonje Center), Satoshi Suzuki (Chairman and Representative Director, POLA Orbis Holdings Inc. / Chairman, Pola Art Foundation), David Teh (Independent curator / Associate Professor, National University of Singapore), Yukako Yamashita (Art Producer / CEO, YMKY Inc.), and more to be announced.

Date: Saturday, November 7 to Monday, November 9
Venue: ICC Kyoto New Hall
Admission: Free for ACK ticket holders
For the latest updates and program details, please visit: https://a-c-k.jp/en/talks/.
　

　

ACK Kids’ Programs
Committed to fostering the next generation of art audiences, ACK will once again host ACK Kids’ Programs at ICC Kyoto, creating opportunities for children to encounter art through “seeing” and “making.” Utilizing the art fair as a setting for exploration, the programs invite children to encounter artworks, create with their own hands, and exchange ideas with others. This year, a different workshop will be held each day, while the Kids’ Studio will be available during non-workshop hours as a drop-in space equipped with a variety of tools and materials for children to explore their creativity. Starting this year, as part of its commitment to regional engagement and educational partnerships, ACK will collaborate with schools in Kyoto Prefecture to participate in the “seeing” tours.

The “Seeing” Guided Tours encourage children to experience artworks through close observation and discussion while touring the venue. All tours are instructed by the Art Communication Research Center (ACC), Kyoto University of the Arts.

The “Making” Workshops invite participants to explore materials and tools alongside artists and artisans:
November 7: Ai Kawano (Artist) — Let’s Make Flags Never Seen Before, combining textile-making with an exploration of the art fair. (ages 7–13)
November 8: Shuji Nakagawa (Japanese Oke Artisan)— Let’s Carve Wood and Explore Forms, introducing participants to the craft of woodworking through carving and shaping wood. (ages 7–13)
November 9: Yu Araki (Double Tongue) (Artist / Filmmaker) and Harue Yamada (CHEKAS) (Singer / Ventriloquist)— Let’s Make a Talking Puppet & Explore the Art Fair, combining puppet-making with a playful exploration of artworks throughout the venue. (all ages)

Both the “Seeing” Guided Tours and “Making” Workshops are conducted in Japanese only.

In addition, Bilingual Childcare Service will be available for visitors with children aged 3 months to 7 years old, ensuring that both children and their guardians can enjoy ACK in a safe and supportive environment. Advance reservation is required.

For further details and advance registration, please visit: https://a-c-k.jp/en/for-kids/.
　

　

Special Programs
ACK is pleased to partner with MITSUBISHI ESTATE CO., LTD. and TSUTAYA BOOKS as its lead partner for the 2026 edition of the fair, together with more than 40 partner companies. Special Programs will be held in collaboration with partner companies within ICC Kyoto, providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about multi-layered interpretations of art. This year, 11 partner companies will present a diverse lineup of projects ranging from contemporary art and jewelry to emerging artists and Kyoto-based initiatives.

SGC Co., Ltd. will present What Gold Becomes by contemporary artist Aiko Miyanaga; in collaboration with Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Co., Ltd. and their Ladder Project, which supports emerging artists as they develop new works and pursue international careers, will present a new work by Eriko Mukai.

With the support of JINTEC Corporation, NEW STREAM will bring together young artists who are shaping the next generation of the art scene. Through encounters with Kyoto’s landscapes, culture, and people, the initiative aims to expand the artists’ fields of expression while creating a sustainable support system through accessible first acquisitions and the reinvestment of ten percent of sales. Takashimaya Company, Limited will present THE BODY RETURNS TO, an exhibition of fabric sculptures by Ryunosuke Okazaki that explores sculpture as a process of continuous formation. Joining as a partner for the first time this year, KUWAYAMA CORPORATION will present Jewelry: Stories upon the Body, an exhibition introducing the distinctive possibilities of contemporary jewelry. The exhibition will bring together works by around twenty artists including Satoru Aoyama, David Bielander, Lin Cheung, Junwon Jung, Midori Mitamura, and Shinji Nakaba.

The fair will also welcome TSUTAYA BOOKS and TOHO-LEO CO., LTD. as new partners, contributing to the VIP and venue experience. In collaboration with TSUTAYA BOOKS, ACK will create a café area that also serves as a workspace. TOHO-LEO CO., LTD. will organize a VIP tour centered on a bespoke program developed with Theaster Gates in the Rakuhoku area of northern Kyoto, while also presenting the garden terrace Machiaishitsu (“Waiting Room”), a dedicated space for VIP guests at the venue.

The Pommery Prize Kyoto 2026 returns for its fourth edition, continuing its mission to support young artists based in Kyoto and foster the next generation of the city’s art and culture. Works by three finalists will be exhibited in ACK’s VIP lounge, with the grand prize recipient invited to Reims, France. The prize is presented by Champagne Pommery, ACK’s Official Champagne Partner. Other returning partners include Hearst Fujingaho Co., Ltd., ACK’s Main Media Partner, which will showcase its magazines on a book rack in the café area, and edra, which will provide furniture for speakers participating in the talk program.

For program details, please visit: https://a-c-k.jp/en/special-programs/.
　

　

What’s On
During the week of Art Collaboration Kyoto, a variety of art programs will be held across Kyoto, activating the historical city during this exciting cultural moment. In addition to those taking place at the main venue at ICC Kyoto, ACK introduces a selection of exhibitions throughout the city, including special presentations by participating galleries at historic temples and unique venues. Highlights include an exhibition by Issy Wood and Evelyn Taocheng Wang at Korin-in, Daitoku-ji, organized by Carlos/Ishikawa; solo exhibitions by Andrew Cranston at Ryosoku-in Temple, organized by Modern Art and Ingleby Gallery; and Yuka Kashihara at Komyo-in, supported by Tomio Koyama Gallery. In addition, Shueisha Manga-Art Heritage will present works by 11 artists at Hachiku-an, a Kyoto City-Designated Tangible Cultural Property.

Several exhibitions will be held at galleries across the city, with highlights including solo exhibitions by Adam Pendleton at Taka Ishii Gallery Kyoto; Christopher Culver at Nonaka-Hill Kyoto; and Lorna Simpson, presented by OSCAAR MOULIGNE in collaboration with Hauser & Wirth. imura art gallery will present Schwarz-Weiß, featuring Kengo Kito, Takehito Koganezawa, Kohei Nawa, and Kyoko Murase.

This year, ACK will once again collaborate with the broader initiatives of Kyoto Art Month, organized by Kyoto Prefecture and the City of Kyoto, promoting a wide range of art events throughout Kyoto. From October through November, initiatives including Art Rhizome KYOTO, CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto, and KYOTO Modern Architecture Festival will further enrich the experience, strengthening connectivity across the region and offering visitors a more immersive engagement with art in autumnal Kyoto.
　

　

Bangkok Collaborate Kyoto Fellowship (BCK Fellowship)
The BCK Fellowship is a program launched by Bangkok Kunsthalle, a cultural institution in Bangkok, and Art Collaboration Kyoto, starting with ACK 2025. The fellowship offers the recipient a residency and exhibition opportunity in Bangkok. Through encounters with different cultures, the program aims to broaden the recipient’s perspective on artistic expression and open up new possibilities for their creative practice.

All artists exhibiting at ACK 2026 will automatically be considered. The recipient will be selected during the fair by a jury comprising Marisa Chearavanont, Founder and President of Bangkok Kunsthalle; Stefano Rabolli Pansera, Director of Bangkok Kunsthalle; Yukako Yamashita, Art Producer / CEO, YMKY Inc.; and Takuro Tamayama, artist and Grand Prize recipient of the BCK Fellowship 2025. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony scheduled for November 8.
　

　

ACK partners are as follows:
　

　

Supported by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan Tourism Agency, Kyoto City, The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, KEIZAI DOYUKAI：Japan Association of Corporate Executives, Japan Association of New Economy, Kansai Economic Federation, Kyoto Association of Corporate Executives, JETRO Kyoto, The Kyoto Shimbun, The Asahi Shimbun Kyoto General Bureau, The Mainichi Newspapers Kyoto Bureau, The Yomiuri Shimbun Kyoto Bureau, The Sankei Shimbun Kyoto Bureau, NHK Kyoto, Kyoto Broadcasting System Company Limited, U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe, British Council, Italian Cultural Institute in Osaka, Austrian Honorary Consulate General in Osaka, Embassy of Canada to Japan, Korean Cultural Center Osaka, Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Tokyo, Embassy of Switzerland in Japan, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Osaka-Kobe, Embassy of France / French Institute of Japan, Embassy of Belgium in Japan, and Polish Institute in Tokyo.
　

Notes to Editors
　

About Art Collaboration Kyoto
Art Collaboration Kyoto (ACK) is a culture-forward contemporary art fair held in Kyoto with collaboration at its core. One of the leading art fairs in Japan specializing in contemporary art, ACK presents unique collaborations forged between Japanese and international galleries; government and private sectors; and fine arts and other cultural spheres in Kyoto. Hosted in the Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto), the fair consists of two sections: Gallery Collaborations, which pairs a Japan-based gallery with its international peer in a shared booth; and Kyoto Meetings, which features presentations with distinct connections to Kyoto. In addition, ACK presents initiatives to support artists through an award and a fellowship, as well as a series of talks and family programs to engage broader audiences. Beyond the fair, a number of special projects and exhibitions will be concurrently on view in Kyoto.

Art Collaboration Kyoto is organized by the ACK Executive Committee, which includes the Kyoto Prefecture; Contemporary Art Dealers Association Nippon; Association for the Promotion of Contemporary Art in Japan; Culture Vision Japan Foundation Inc.; Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and the Kyoto Convention and Visitors Bureau. The fair is made possible through Grants for the Future of Regions, and The Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan in fiscal 2026.

The fair is located at the Kyoto International Conference Center (Takaragaike, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City). For more information, please visit: https://a-c-k.jp/en/.
　

　

ACK Bonded Status
From 2022 to 2025, Art Collaboration Kyoto obtained bonded status, allowing international exhibitors to be exempt from the 10% sales tax that otherwise would have been imposed pre-sale. The fair has reapplied for bonded status for its 2026 edition in November.

For the full list of participating galleries, please visit https://a-c-k.jp/en/exhibitors/.
　

　

ACK Leadership Committee
Miho Doi, Director of Experiences
Yoko Hattori, Director of Operations
Keiko Mine, Director of Educational Programs
Masako Ohishi, Director of Public Affairs
Hidenori Suzuki, Director of Gallery Relations and Fair Production
Miwa Takamura, Director of VIP Relations
Wakako Tezen, Director of Partnerships
　

　

ACK 2026 Selection Committee Members
Yoshiaki Inoue, Director, Yoshiaki Inoue Gallery
Lorraine Kiang, Co-Founder, Kiang Malingue
Tomio Koyama, Director, TOMIO KOYAMA GALLERY
Pedro Mendes, Co-Founder, Mendes Wood DM
Yuichi Mori, Director, MORI YU GALLERY
Misako Rosen, Co-Founder, MISAKO ＆ ROSEN
Yuko Yamamoto, Director, ANOMALY
　

　

About Leonhard Bartolomeus
Leonhard Bartolomeus is a curator at the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (YCAM). After graduating from Jakarta Institute of the Arts, he joined the art collective ruangrupa (and later became part of Gudskul Ekosistem). Working with ruangrupa, he developed an interest in the intersection between art, education, and community engagement, which influenced many of his curatorial projects. At YCAM, he extends this interest to include intersections with food, media, and biotechnology. His recent projects include Dance Floor as Study Room (2024, YCAM), PROJECT MRT: Natureless Solution (2025, YCAM), and Roppongi Crossing 2025 (2025, Mori Art Museum). Bartolomeus considers himself a generalist and always tries to learn new things through workshops, lectures, exhibitions, and art projects that he participates in at various places.
　

　

ACK Global Ambassadors
ACK Global Ambassadors is a global network of collectors, patrons, and cultural leaders who support ACK through advocacy, connections, introductions, and strategic feedback. United by a genuine commitment to art and community, members help expand ACK’s international reach, foster meaningful cultural exchange, and strengthen connections between Kyoto and the global art world.

Yukako Yamashita (Japan), Chairperson
Jam Acuzar (Philippines)
Kazuko Aso (Japan)
Lena Baume (Italy)
Nathalie Baume (France)
Edmund Cheng (Singapore)
Soyoung Lee (South Korea)
Jacques Verhaegen (Belgium)
Johnson Yang & Sophie Wang (Taiwan)
　

　

2026 Dates
Preview by invitation only: Friday, November 6, 2026
Public opening dates: Saturday, November 7, 2026 to Monday, November 9, 2026
　

　

Spatial Design by Takashi Suo (Architect / SUO, Inc.)
For the sixth edition of ACK, the fair has sought to create an even greater sense of unity throughout the venue. In the Event Hall, the Gallery Collaborations feature booths that emerge naturally into the aisles, with artworks extending into the walkways as though the booths had expanded outward. The experience inside and outside the booths merges seamlessly, allowing visitors to move through individual spaces while experiencing them as part of a single, expansive exhibition. The Kyoto Meetings, café, and ACK Talks similarly occupy distinct spaces, while remaining closely connected to the broader experience of the fair.
　

　

Media Contacts
FITZ & CO | Georgina Zhao | gzhao@fitzandco.com
Art Collaboration Kyoto | Yoshiko Nawa and Rasa Tsuda | press@a-c-k.jp