The Tsunagi Art Museum opened in April 2001 to act as a hub for culture and art in the Minamata-Ashikita region of Kumamoto Prefecture. Our collection includes around 450 pieces, including work by artists linked to Kumamoto, like SAKAINO Kazuyuki (2nd director of the Ebihara Arts Laboratory), as well as other pieces, like clothing from the hill tribes of Thailand. In addition to our exhibitions, we hold modern art projects for locals to participate in and promote cultural exchange both within and outside our local area.

The Greenery and Sculpture Community Building Project was initiated in 1984 to revive the local community following the Minamata Disease tragedy and make Tsunagi into an appealing cultural space. Tsunagi Art Museum was founded based on these principles, with the aim of encouraging personal and cultural exchange and reevaluating local resources through a cross-sectional approach to cultural arts. Tsunagi Art Museum also hopes to encourage diverse, multi-faceted thinking to bring about a better future.

April 1984

Decision to transform the town of Tsunagi into a town-wide art museum to help in recovery from the effects of Minamata Disease

May 1984

Purchased Young Woman by IWANO Yuzo and installed it at Tsunagi Town Hall

September 1984

Establishment of art acquisition fund

May 1990

Establishment of selection committee for art acquisition fund

April 1991

Bulk donation of artwork from the estate of SAKAINO Kazuyuki

February 1998

Establishment of planning committee for Greenery and Sculpture Community Building Project

August 1998

Establishment of Tsunagi Art Museum Construction Project Committee

November 1999

Start of construction

December 2000

Construction complete

April 2001

Opening of art museum