“A City Connected Through Art – Towada Modern Art Museum”
Towada Modern Art Museum is a hub for contemporary art, showcasing 38 works by 33 artists who are active both in Japan and abroad. These artworks are integrated with the building and surrounding space. Art is not confined to the exhibition rooms—it extends to courtyards, rooftops, stairwells, and various spaces throughout the facility, offering visitors moments of surprise and inspiration.
In addition, a roughly 1-kilometer stretch along the Government Office Street in front of the museum features installations such as the “Art Square” and “Art Furniture (Art Benches),” transforming the entire town into a walkable art museum.
“The Background of Arts Towada and the Museum’s Founding”
Towada Modern Art Museum opened in 2008 as the core facility of the city revitalization project “Arts Towada.” This project envisions the entire Government Office Street, the heart of Towada City, as a museum. Through the display of artworks and a variety of art programs, the initiative aims to bring new charm and vitality to the region.
By merging art with the rich natural environment of Towada, the project seeks to tap into the area’s latent potential and build a creative future.
The basic concept of the project was developed in 2004, followed by a concrete plan in 2005. The museum opened in April 2008, and by April 2010, the entire plan—including the Art Square and Street Furniture—was completed.
“Creating the Space of Towada Modern Art Museum – An Art Experience Guided by Architecture”
The building was designed by architect Ryue Nishizawa, also known as the co-designer of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa. By incorporating courtyards and outdoor spaces between the exhibition rooms and allowing natural light through large windows, the museum presents an open, city-integrated atmosphere.
Inside, in addition to special exhibition rooms, there are rest areas and community spaces that support local cultural activities.
The permanent collection features unique works created by 21 artists from 12 countries. These works were born from a dialogue with the urban and natural environment, as well as with the people living in Towada.
Each exhibition room houses a single artwork, allowing visitors to experience each artist’s world as if stepping into a “home built for the artwork.”
“Art Square and Street Furniture”
Located in front of the Towada Modern Art Museum, the “Art Square” and scattered “Street Furniture (Art Benches)” were developed in March 2010 as part of the “Arts Towada” project, which envisions the entire city as a museum. Five artworks are installed in the Art Square and four in the Street Furniture series.
The Art Square features large, interactive art installations that visitors can touch and experience—such as Love Forever Singing in Towada by world-renowned artist Yayoi Kusama, and Ghost by the German artist group Inges Idee.
These vivid and uniquely shaped works lift people out of their everyday routines and invite them into an extraordinary world of art.
These outdoor artworks are not only for viewing—they catch your eye as you walk by, blending naturally into the cityscape. The entire city becomes a stage where visitors can encounter art, a defining and captivating characteristic unique to Towada.
