Agency for Cultural Affairs Announces 'MUSIC LOVES ART 2026' to Showcase New Possibilities Through Fusion of Music and Art

Project Overview The Agency for Cultural Affairs is promoting a new cultural creation project centered on the cross-disciplinary fusion of music and art, aimed at establishing a global hub for disseminating Japanese culture and arts. As part of this initiative, the 'MUSIC LOVES ART 2026' project, which creates works capable of being presented to the world in collaboration with artists, will be held from June 1 (Mon) to June 13 (Sat), 2026.

Collaboration with MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 'MUSIC LOVES ART' has previously created new cultural experiences where music and art intersect through collaborations with SUMMER SONIC. Entering its 5th year in 2026, it is collaborating with MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026, an international music award selected by 5,000 music professionals. The project reviews the history of works and participating artists from past editions while presenting new works. 'MUSIC LOVES ART 2026' is held under the concept of 'A creative showcase where music and art resonate.' Works by nine artists, including those featuring the motif of 'THE RUBY' trophy given to MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN winners, will appear in Shibuya, Odaiba, and Aomi areas.

Expansion to Tokyo International Music Market This project's initiatives and the possibilities for new cultural creation opened up by 'music x art' will be announced as a special session at the Tokyo International Music Market, one of Asia's largest music business conferences. Beyond exhibitions, the project will be promoted broadly as a cultural creation model originating from Japan.

Exhibited Works in Shibuya (Exhibition period: June 1 (Mon) - June 13 (Sat) *Specific dates are noted for locations with different periods) Works by artists will be exhibited at street boards in Center-gai, flags on Dogenzaka, and sound art at Shibuya Stream. Exhibitions and performances will take place throughout Shibuya so that passersby can experience art in their daily lives.

●Shibuya Street Boards (Exhibition period: June 1 (Mon) - June 13 (Sat)) - Artist: Takuto Okamoto | Work: TRIBUTE - Artist: Taeko Ista | Work: TRIBUTE - Artist: Takuto Okamoto | Work: EMPOWER - Artist: Ikuho Tamura | Work: POP CULTURE - Artist: Ikuho Tamura | Work: GROOVE - Artist: Taeko Ista | Work: HIP HOP - Artist: Taeko Ista | Work: MUSIC LOVES ART 2026 key visual - Artist: Asuka Watanabe | Work: Women in Music - Artist: Asuka Watanabe | Work: SPIRIT

●Dogenzaka/Bunkamura Street Light Flags (Exhibition period: June 6 (Sat) - June 13 (Sat)) - Artist: Taeko Ista | Work: MUSIC LOVES ART 2026 key visual - Artist: Taeko Ista | Work: MODULATION (2025 work) - Artist: GOO CHOKI PAR | Work: Sound in Motion (2025 work) - Artist: Ikuho Tamura | Work: 'Shangri-La and Taxi' MLA2025 Visual Edit (2025 work) - Artist: magma | Work: Stereo Vacation

●Shibuya Stream 2F Walkway (Scheduled exhibition: June 8 (Mon) - June 13 (Sat)) A limited-time installation by sound artist evala will be showcased. The permanent music created by evala for the opening of Shibuya Stream is being reimagined into a 3D immersive experience. Leveraging the original surround system and wall signage, it will create special sounds that resonate throughout the facility.