Maebashi International Art Festival 2026: Full Artist Lineup Announced for Inaugural Edition Starting Sept 19

The Maebashi International Art Festival 2026 Executive Committee, chaired by Hitoshi Tanaka, has announced the full artist lineup and program for the inaugural 'Maebashi International Art Festival 2026.' The event will be held for 80 days from September 19 (Sat) to December 20 (Sun), 2026, centered in the downtown area of Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture.

Rooted in the 'Mebuku' (Sprouting) urban vision established in 2016, this biennial festival aims to depict Maebashi's current state and future through art, echoing the private-sector-led urban regeneration process. The theme for this first edition is 'Mebuku. Where good things grow.' The festival will feature 70 artists across various fields, including contemporary art, architecture, music, poetry, theater, and food, along with over 20 programs collaborating with local Maebashi creators.

Venues include Arts Maebashi (Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art) as the main hub, alongside more than 20 unique locations such as the Shiroiya Hotel (designed by Sou Fujimoto), Maebashi Galleria (by Akihisa Hirata), hotels, galleries, shops, and vacant buildings. By installing works in shopping arcades and public spaces, the festival creates a walkable experience, allowing visitors to explore contemporary architecture and art within a 500-meter square area.

Key Highlight: Artist Projects Echoing Local Heritage Artists will present projects that respond to the memories, stories, and history of Maebashi, known as the 'City of Water, Greenery, and Poetry' and a former silk industry hub.

Notable Artists and Programs: - Tadashi Kawamata: 'Tree Hut Project' at Towa Bank. A long-term public art initiative involving the community. - Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka: A Japanese-Canadian artist featured in the 61st Venice Biennale, creating new works using traditional Japanese paper (Washi) based on her residency. - Martin Margiela: A rearranged exhibition from Tokyo and Kyoto arrives in Maebashi, showcasing the transformation of the ordinary into the extraordinary through diverse media. - Mika Ninagawa with EiM: A collaboration at the Hauze Building exploring cycles of life and city regeneration through light and color.