Commissioning Ceremony Held for Saitama International Art Festival 2027 Directors
Saitama City has presented letters of appointment to two directors for the "Saitama International Art Festival 2027," scheduled for 2027. Mayor Shimizu expressed expectations for regional revitalization and cultural promotion, while the directors aim for a citizen-participatory art festival.
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- 📰 Published: April 25, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 15:32
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Saitama City aims to hold an international art festival in fiscal year 2027, which is one of the key projects of the "Saitama City Cultural and Artistic City Creation Plan" and a symbolic and core initiative for creating a cultural and artistic city.
On this occasion, letters of appointment were presented by the Mayor (Chairman of the Saitama International Art Festival Executive Committee) to the two individuals who have been appointed as directors for the "Saitama International Art Festival 2027."
(From left: Producer Serizawa, Art Project Director Yuasa, Mayor Shimizu, Citizen Project Director Kobayashi)
1. Commissioning Ceremony
[Date and Time]
Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 10:15 AM to 11:00 AM
[Location]
Mayor's Office, 4th Floor, Saitama City Hall
[Attendees] (Titles omitted)
Saitama Mayor: Hayato Shimizu
Art Project Director: Ema Yuasa
Citizen Project Director: Yuka Kobayashi
Producer: Takashi Serizawa
2. Exchange of Opinions
[Mayor's Comment]
"I strongly hope that this art festival will fully express the charm of our city and make culture and art more accessible to citizens, serving as a bridge connecting citizens with art, and thereby leading to regional revitalization. I expect this festival to enhance the city's appeal by bringing together Saitama City's cultural resources, represented by bonsai, Iwatsuki dolls, railways, and manga, with cutting-edge culture and art to create new value."
[Art Project Director Ema Yuasa's Comment]
"My participation in 'Saitama Triennale 2016' was a turning point that significantly changed my expressive activities, which was one of the reasons I decided to apply this time. I aim for an art festival that changes the way we see everyday life through moving experiences. While artistic works can sometimes be perceived as abstract and difficult to convey, I first want to make the art festival itself known to the citizens and promote the groundwork for everyone to collectively energize the festival. I plan to actively publicize pre-events and other activities before the festival period, leveraging Director Kobayashi's local network."
[Citizen Project Director Yuka Kobayashi's Comment]
"After working as an assistant at a gallery in Tokyo and then opening a gallery in the city, I felt the high barrier to art for local residents. This experience motivated me to continue activities primarily within the city with the desire for people to 'enjoy art in their daily lives.' As a director, in the position of bridging the art festival and citizens, I believe that having citizens enjoy participating first will lead to the enrichment of both the art festival and Saitama City. I want to energize the art festival from both the international perspective of Director Yuasa and the local perspective I have cultivated."
Currently, with the two directors at the core, the formulation of the holding plan, including the theme and concept of "Saitama International Art Festival 2027," as well as the creation of the logo mark and the planning of public relations and promotion, such as website design, are underway. Details will be announced as soon as they are decided, so please look forward to them.
Contact Information
Saitama City Cultural Policy Division
Phone: 048-829-1225
*If images, profiles, portraits, artwork images, etc., are required for the publication of the article, please contact us.
Saitama City's official LINE account delivers information tailored to you on your smartphone.
Register here or via the QR code below!
On this occasion, letters of appointment were presented by the Mayor (Chairman of the Saitama International Art Festival Executive Committee) to the two individuals who have been appointed as directors for the "Saitama International Art Festival 2027."
(From left: Producer Serizawa, Art Project Director Yuasa, Mayor Shimizu, Citizen Project Director Kobayashi)
1. Commissioning Ceremony
[Date and Time]
Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 10:15 AM to 11:00 AM
[Location]
Mayor's Office, 4th Floor, Saitama City Hall
[Attendees] (Titles omitted)
Saitama Mayor: Hayato Shimizu
Art Project Director: Ema Yuasa
Citizen Project Director: Yuka Kobayashi
Producer: Takashi Serizawa
2. Exchange of Opinions
[Mayor's Comment]
"I strongly hope that this art festival will fully express the charm of our city and make culture and art more accessible to citizens, serving as a bridge connecting citizens with art, and thereby leading to regional revitalization. I expect this festival to enhance the city's appeal by bringing together Saitama City's cultural resources, represented by bonsai, Iwatsuki dolls, railways, and manga, with cutting-edge culture and art to create new value."
[Art Project Director Ema Yuasa's Comment]
"My participation in 'Saitama Triennale 2016' was a turning point that significantly changed my expressive activities, which was one of the reasons I decided to apply this time. I aim for an art festival that changes the way we see everyday life through moving experiences. While artistic works can sometimes be perceived as abstract and difficult to convey, I first want to make the art festival itself known to the citizens and promote the groundwork for everyone to collectively energize the festival. I plan to actively publicize pre-events and other activities before the festival period, leveraging Director Kobayashi's local network."
[Citizen Project Director Yuka Kobayashi's Comment]
"After working as an assistant at a gallery in Tokyo and then opening a gallery in the city, I felt the high barrier to art for local residents. This experience motivated me to continue activities primarily within the city with the desire for people to 'enjoy art in their daily lives.' As a director, in the position of bridging the art festival and citizens, I believe that having citizens enjoy participating first will lead to the enrichment of both the art festival and Saitama City. I want to energize the art festival from both the international perspective of Director Yuasa and the local perspective I have cultivated."
Currently, with the two directors at the core, the formulation of the holding plan, including the theme and concept of "Saitama International Art Festival 2027," as well as the creation of the logo mark and the planning of public relations and promotion, such as website design, are underway. Details will be announced as soon as they are decided, so please look forward to them.
Contact Information
Saitama City Cultural Policy Division
Phone: 048-829-1225
*If images, profiles, portraits, artwork images, etc., are required for the publication of the article, please contact us.
Saitama City's official LINE account delivers information tailored to you on your smartphone.
Register here or via the QR code below!