Kyoto Art Center (Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City) will host "Kyoto Art Center OPEN DAY 2026 Winter" from February 20 (Friday) to February 22 (Sunday), 2026. The event opens artist production studios to the public and provides easy access to diverse expressions in dance, theater, and visual arts. This three-day open event offers exciting encounters with the "unknown" for visitors of all ages, from children to adults.
Peek into the Creative Process and Try It Yourself: Diverse Workshops by 11 Groups of Artists
In an era overflowing with "correct answers" and "easy-to-understand" content due to advancements in AI and digital technology, "OPEN DAY" is an open event that emphasizes enjoying "trying things first" without rushing to find answers.
The event opens studios used by artists for production to the general public, sharing the trial-and-error process before works are completed with visitors. Eleven groups of artists spanning diverse genres such as dance, theater, and visual arts will develop workshops where participants can engage with various expressions while moving their bodies and hands. The content allows participation according to individual interests, from children to adults, from beginners to experienced practitioners.
The programs take place throughout Kyoto Art Center's premises, including classrooms and the auditorium of the former elementary school building (a registered tangible cultural property) constructed 95 years ago. Set in Kyoto, a city that values tradition while embracing new things and showing tolerance for diverse expressions, this three-day event offers new ideas and unexpected discoveries in a building that has been used for different purposes throughout its history. Including the special food and drink area, visitors can casually enjoy encounters with the "unknown."
Event Details
Event Name: Kyoto Art Center OPEN DAY 2026 Winter
Dates: February 20 (Friday) to February 22 (Sunday), 2026
Venue: Kyoto Art Center
Organizer: Kyoto Art Center (Kyoto City Arts and Culture Association)
Workshops (artist names in parentheses):
Dance:
- "Walking silently through the corridors of Kyoto Art Center, that is dance (Kenta Masukawa)"
- "Happy Dance for Everyone! (Selenographica)"
- "Introduction to Contemporary Dance (Nagisa Yoshimoto)"
Theater/Performance:
- "Tell us your scary stories and mysterious experiences (Gekidan Tom Ron)"
- "Is creation difficult? Weaving words to create stories (Gekidan Yoagaki)"
- "new tool - Transforming unused stage sets into new tools (Kyotsu Butai)"
- "A workshop to feel 'Night on the Galactic Railroad' (Tenkomori-do)"
- "Find your 'favorite' in performing arts - How to discover performances you want to see (THE GO AND MO'S)"
- "Let's try group dialogue (Europe Kikaku: Makoto Ueda)"
Visual Arts:
- "Create colorful charms from plastic bottle caps! (Hiroko Fukumoto)"
- "Introduction to Abstract Painting Workshop (Masato Saito)"
For other events and food and drink options, please check the official website.
Official Website: https://www.kac.or.jp/events/0129/
©Tomomi Takano
©OMOTE Nobutada
About "OPEN DAY"
Kyoto Art Center provides "production studios (10 rooms in total)" free of charge for up to three months at a time as a production support program to assist the activities of emerging and young artists.
The "Meirin Workshop," which allows participants to experience the activities of artists using the production studios, is held monthly. However, "OPEN DAY" is a special event that uses the entire Kyoto Art Center building to enjoy art. The event aims to share with visitors the activities and trial-and-error processes occurring in normally closed spaces and the thoughts before works are created. Workshops spanning various genres (dance, theater, visual arts, etc.) are offered for enjoyment by everyone from children to adults, beginners to experienced practitioners. It's an opportunity to encounter the "unknown" by sharing time with artists you don't usually interact with and touching upon new expressions and perspectives.
Tomomi Takano
Kyoto Art Center
Kyoto Art Center was established in April 2000 with the purpose of promoting arts and culture. The center focuses on supporting the production of diverse artists, including younger generations, and works to disseminate information about arts and culture and promote exchanges between artists and citizens. It provides production studios for artists to conduct creative activities and present their results, and implements exhibitions, traditional performing arts, theater, dance, music performances, and workshops. The center also puts effort into discovering and nurturing artists, passing on traditional performing arts, and hosting artist-in-residence programs that accept artists from Japan and abroad. Through these activities, Kyoto Art Center advances place-making as a hub for urban culture creation in Kyoto, opening new artistic values to society.
