Since our founding in 1950, we have created a place to present, to learn and to meet through an exhibition that welcomes work from every generation. Each year we hold the GAKUTEN Art & Design Award at The National Art Center, Tokyo.
We value the bond between art and society,
create places to learn, to present and to meet,
and connect Japan with the world.
At the heart of our work is the annual exhibition,
a chance to present one’s work
and a place to learn and to meet.
Through exhibitions abroad we also pursue
international exchange, connecting artists
in Japan with the wider world.
Centred on our annual exhibition,
we run four programmes
for learning, presenting and exchange.
01 — Exhibition
Every year we invite work from people of all ages, from primary school pupils to adults, and hold an exhibition at The National Art Center, Tokyo. Painting, design and photography are shown, and awards decided by a jury are presented at a ceremony.
02 — Special Film Project
Each year since 2025, we hold a workshop with primary and junior high school students who exhibited at GAKUTEN, and make a film of the time it takes for a work to come into being. Through improvised movement, wordless dialogue and making together, the children give form to experiences that are hard to put into words. The process matters more to us than the result, and each finished film is screened in the auditorium of The National Art Center, Tokyo.
03 — International Exchange
By taking part in exhibitions abroad, we introduce the work of young artists from Japan. From 2017 to 2019 we exhibited at the Salon des Beaux Arts, held at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris.
04 — Projects
Beyond the annual exhibition, we organise special exhibitions and projects at other venues, including the special exhibition UNKNOWN VISITORS in 2022.
Since our founding in 1950,
we have held seventy-six exhibitions.
1950 — 2026
Founded by eight people: Sotaro Yasui, Shinichi Nishida, Genichiro Inokuma, Takeshi Hayashi, Kazu Wakita, Katsuyuki Nabei, Manjiro Terauchi and Kunitaro Suda
First exhibition held at Mitsukoshi, Nihonbashi
Works from the 10th exhibition shown in the United States
Award-winning works shown at The National Museum of Art, Osaka
Took part in the Salon des Beaux Arts, Paris
Incorporated as a general incorporated association
76th exhibition held at The National Art Center, Tokyo
Founders 1950
Sotaro Yasui
Shinichi Nishida
Genichiro Inokuma
Takeshi Hayashi
Kazu Wakita
Katsuyuki Nabei
Manjiro Terauchi
Kunitaro SudaFor enquiries about our work, press or sponsorship,
please write to us at the address below.
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We do not share personal information with third parties except with your consent or where required by law.
We manage personal information carefully and take steps to prevent its leakage, loss or damage.
We respond promptly to requests from the person concerned after confirming their identity. Please write to the address above.
This policy may be revised as needed. Established 25 October 2026. The Japanese version is authoritative.