MEET YOUR ART, Japan's Largest Art Festival Drawing Over 50,000 Visitors, Recognized as This is MECENAT 2026 for Creating Art IP and Artist Engagement

Avex Creator Agency Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Shinsuke Kato) announces that its art initiative 'MEET YOUR ART,' which creates intellectual property in the art domain and provides broader access to art and artists, has been certified as 'This is MECENAT 2026' for its contributions to building a richer society through arts and culture. This marks the third consecutive year of certification since 2024.

'This is MECENAT' is a certification program hosted by the Japan Business Federation for Arts and Culture (JBFA), aimed at recognizing the social significance of corporate-led arts patronage (mecenat) activities across Japan. Certified initiatives receive the 'Mecenat Mark' and are featured in the 'Mecenat Archive' on the official website. To date, over 1,800 initiatives have been registered, including efforts in arts support, environmental sustainability, welfare, and regional revitalization.

Official This is MECENAT website: https://mecenat-mark.org/

Launched in December 2020 with a YouTube series dedicated to contemporary art, 'MEET YOUR ART' aims to create impactful new IPs in the art sector and broaden public engagement with art and artists. Since 2022, it has hosted 'MEET YOUR ART FESTIVAL,' Japan’s largest cross-cultural art festival, uniting art with music, food, fashion, and lifestyle. In 2025, the four-day festival attracted over 50,000 visitors. The 2026 edition, marking its fifth anniversary, will expand further in scale and content. In November 2023, the permanent art space 'WALL_alternative' opened in Nishiazabu, Tokyo, operating exclusively at night to create unconventional art experiences. In recent years, through collaborations with public and private partners, the initiative has widely promoted the value of art and artists. It was certified under 'This is MECENAT' in 2024 and 2025 and received the 'Mecenat Grand Prize' at the Mecenat Awards 2025.※1

※1: 'MEET YOUR ART,' which creates impactful new IPs in the art sector and broadens access to art, received the 'Mecenat Grand Prize' at the Mecenat Awards 2025.

MEET YOUR ART, which creates intellectual property in the art domain through Japan’s largest art festival drawing over 50,000 visitors and provides access to artists, was certified as This is MECENAT 2025.

MEET YOUR ART, which creates intellectual property in the art domain and provides access to artists through Japan’s largest art and culture festival, drawing 40,000 visitors, was certified as This is MECENAT 2024.

These initiatives have now been recognized by the Japan Business Federation for Arts and Culture as efforts to build a richer society through arts and cultural promotion, earning the 'This is MECENAT 2026' certification.

Overview of 'MEET YOUR ART' – A YouTube Art Series Dedicated to Contemporary Art

A YouTube art program introducing artist interviews and broad knowledge about contemporary art. The initiative aims to create opportunities for more people to engage with art through new methods, including online shops and physical venues where artworks by featured artists can be purchased, especially increasing visibility for emerging artists.

URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCPqEyMiKunljLC7VcvSybg

Overview of 'MEET YOUR ART FESTIVAL'

Japan’s largest cross-domain art festival, aiming to create interdisciplinary intersections by bringing together adjacent cultures such as music, food, fashion, and lifestyle around art. In October 2026, the festival celebrates its 5th anniversary with 'MEET YOUR ART FESTIVAL 2026.' This year, it will gather overlooked societal shifts, changing values, and unarticulated feelings and impulses—early signs of change—and bring them together to question the future of culture.

'MEET YOUR ART FESTIVAL 2026'

Dates: October 9, 2026 (Fri) 16:00–21:30

October 10, 2026 (Sat) 11:00–20:00

October 11, 2026 (Sun) 11:00–20:00

October 12, 2026 (Mon/Holiday) 11:00–18:00

※October 9: Market and live performances only (Art areas open for full-day preview)

Venue: Tennosu Canal area, Tokyo

Art Exhibition 'REFLUX: Emerging Signs'｜Terada Warehouse G1-5F *

Art Fair 'MEET YOUR ARTISTS'｜Terada Warehouse B&C HALL

Art Fair 'CO-CROSSOVER -Romantic beyond us (earth)-'｜Terada Warehouse D HALL

Live Performances｜T-LOTUS M *

Talk Sessions｜WHAT CAFE *

Market 'SUPER ART & CRAFT MARKET'｜WHAT CAFE / Boardwalk / Bond Street

URL: https://avex.jp/meetyourart/festival/

Organizers: MEET YOUR ART FESTIVAL Executive Committee (Members: Avex Creator Agency Co., Ltd., General Incorporated Association Area Management TENNOZ, General Incorporated Association Tennosu Canal Side Revitalization Association), Tokyo Metropolitan Government

※The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will jointly operate the areas marked with * alongside the MEET YOUR ART FESTIVAL Executive Committee.

Overview of 'WALL_alternative'

Opened in November 2023 in Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 'WALL_alternative' aims to be a unique space where diverse people gather organically around art and culture, sparking new movements. It is based on three core concepts:

① An art space aligned with adult lifestyles, where adults can enjoy art at night

Featuring exhibitions and sales by contemporary artists, plus exclusive special projects unique to WALL

② A hub where diverse cultures intersect around art and music, fostering new movements

③ A community with an integrated counter bar, encouraging quality encounters and collaborations

Additionally, in March 2025, GLAMDAY STYLE HOTEL & RESORT OKINAWA YOMI, operated by Kato Pleasure Group,