About us

History of the Museum

Miyanomori Museum Garden, which included a wedding venue and exhibition space, opened in 2004. The site was renovated to become MIYANOMORI ART MUSEUM, SAPPORO in April 2006, opening as Hokkaido’s first museum of contemporary art. Through exhibitions such as “Christo and Jeanne-Claude 1958-2006” (2006), “Kenji Yanobe —Torayan’s Great Adventure” (2007), and “SCAN DO SCAN” (2007), the museum has continued to introduce the work of artists active both in Japan and abroad and to demonstrate diverse trends in contemporary art. Furthermore, the museum has collaborated with other museums in Hokkaido to hold various exhibitions and events to achieve the museum’s primary goal of making effective use of its collections and conducting research. And now, after a seven-year closure to renovate its facilities, Miyanomori International Museum of Art, Sapporo (MIMAS) will reopen its doors under the new name J Art Foundation. Taking the opportunity of the renewal, we will reevaluate the role to be fulfilled by the museum, and while continuing our past stance, we will expand our activities as an open museum that is loved and utilized by more people of all generations and regions.

History

November 2004

Miyanomori Museum Garden (MMG) opens as a wedding hall.

April 2006

Grand opening of MIYANOMORI ART MUSEUM, SAPPORO in the Miyanomori Museum Garden (MMG).

To commemorate the grand opening, the museum holds “The World of Vietnamese Lacquer Painting Art Exhibition”.

2007

With the cooperation of the non-profit organization Culture and Art Project Support System (CAPSS), exhibitions take place in collaboration with domestic and international organizations.

2011

Completion of a mural by Guillaume Bottazzi on the exterior wall of wedding hall.

October 2011

MIYANOMORI ART MUSEUM, SAPPORO holds its second grand opening, changing its English name to Miyanomori International Museum of Art, Sapporo (MIMAS).

Opens a new wing to serve as the main gallery.

The museum welcomes Chu Enoki, Yasumasa Morimura, and Ryusuke Ito, to hold the grand opening event on November 11, 2012.

2017

After holding the Naoki Ishikawa exhibition “New Map for North” as the last exhibition at the museum, closes down for renovations.

May 2025

After seven-years of closure, the museum reopened in May after renovation and changed its name to J Art Foundation.