Art Week Tokyo Returns in 2026! Expanding 'AWT FOCUS' to 10 Venues for an Immersive Experience
The Contemporary Art Platform Association has announced that 'Art Week Tokyo (AWT)' will be held from November 4 to 8, 2026. A record 55 museums and galleries will participate, connected by a free shuttle bus service. The main program, 'AWT FOCUS,' will collaborate with Vienna's 'curated by' festival, featuring exhibitions at 10 venues curated by international experts. The event also includes 'AWT VIDEO,' the 'AWT BAR' with artist-designed cocktails, and various talk sessions, aiming to promote Tokyo's art scene globally.
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The Contemporary Art Platform Association will host 'Art Week Tokyo (AWT),' a festival introducing the creativity, diversity, and community of Japanese contemporary art to both domestic and international audiences, from November 4 (Wed) to 8 (Sun), 2026.
Five Days to Enjoy Contemporary Art
Art Week Tokyo (AWT) is an annual festival that showcases the creativity and diversity of Tokyo's contemporary art scene. As a decentralized event without a main venue, visitors can freely explore various programs scattered across the city, including exhibitions held by individual museums and galleries, as well as AWT's original talk sessions, tours, and a special pop-up bar.
In 2026, a record-high 55 museums and galleries will participate. New participants this year include Pola Museum Annex, Ceysson & Bénétière, Parcel, and Shibunkaku Ginza. The venues are connected by 'AWT BUS,' a free shuttle service that allows visitors to hop on and off, experiencing the unique character of each space and the 'now' of Tokyo's contemporary art scene.
'AWT FOCUS' Expands to 10 Venues
Launched in 2023 as an 'exhibition you can buy,' 'AWT FOCUS' has explored new forms of curation. For its fourth edition, it is collaborating with the Vienna-based gallery festival 'curated by.' Ten galleries and art spaces in Tokyo will host exhibitions curated by internationally active curators, selected by the AWT Selection Committee.
(Details of exhibitions omitted for brevity)
'AWT VIDEO' Features Selected Works
'AWT VIDEO' will screen a curated program of video works by artists from participating galleries. The 2026 edition is supervised by X Zhu-Nowell, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Rockbund Art Museum (RAM) in Shanghai.
'AWT BAR' Features Artist-Designed Cocktails
Located in Minami-Aoyama, the pop-up 'AWT BAR' offers food by emerging chefs, artist-designed cocktails, and performances. The bar is designed by Kae Ito, with Kazuyo Sejima serving as advisor.
'AWT TALKS' Continues
'AWT TALKS' offers a wide range of programs for everyone from beginners to art enthusiasts, including symposia with international curators, online talks, guided tours for aspiring collectors, and educational programs for children.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Director Atsuko Ninagawa commented: 'Art Week Tokyo was launched in 2021 during the pandemic with the mission to revitalize the Japanese art scene. We are delighted to reach this milestone of our fifth edition since the full-scale launch in 2022. We will continue to experiment with new forms of public engagement and exhibitions, leveraging the depth and strength of the Japanese art community.'
Five Days to Enjoy Contemporary Art
Art Week Tokyo (AWT) is an annual festival that showcases the creativity and diversity of Tokyo's contemporary art scene. As a decentralized event without a main venue, visitors can freely explore various programs scattered across the city, including exhibitions held by individual museums and galleries, as well as AWT's original talk sessions, tours, and a special pop-up bar.
In 2026, a record-high 55 museums and galleries will participate. New participants this year include Pola Museum Annex, Ceysson & Bénétière, Parcel, and Shibunkaku Ginza. The venues are connected by 'AWT BUS,' a free shuttle service that allows visitors to hop on and off, experiencing the unique character of each space and the 'now' of Tokyo's contemporary art scene.
'AWT FOCUS' Expands to 10 Venues
Launched in 2023 as an 'exhibition you can buy,' 'AWT FOCUS' has explored new forms of curation. For its fourth edition, it is collaborating with the Vienna-based gallery festival 'curated by.' Ten galleries and art spaces in Tokyo will host exhibitions curated by internationally active curators, selected by the AWT Selection Committee.
(Details of exhibitions omitted for brevity)
'AWT VIDEO' Features Selected Works
'AWT VIDEO' will screen a curated program of video works by artists from participating galleries. The 2026 edition is supervised by X Zhu-Nowell, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Rockbund Art Museum (RAM) in Shanghai.
'AWT BAR' Features Artist-Designed Cocktails
Located in Minami-Aoyama, the pop-up 'AWT BAR' offers food by emerging chefs, artist-designed cocktails, and performances. The bar is designed by Kae Ito, with Kazuyo Sejima serving as advisor.
'AWT TALKS' Continues
'AWT TALKS' offers a wide range of programs for everyone from beginners to art enthusiasts, including symposia with international curators, online talks, guided tours for aspiring collectors, and educational programs for children.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Director Atsuko Ninagawa commented: 'Art Week Tokyo was launched in 2021 during the pandemic with the mission to revitalize the Japanese art scene. We are delighted to reach this milestone of our fifth edition since the full-scale launch in 2022. We will continue to experiment with new forms of public engagement and exhibitions, leveraging the depth and strength of the Japanese art community.'
FAQ
How many galleries participate in Art Week Tokyo?
In 2026, a record-high 55 museums and galleries will participate in the event.