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Early Bird Tickets Now Available for ART OSAKA 2026

The Chain Museum, headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, has announced the launch of early bird ticket sales for the eagerly awaited ART OSAKA 2026, set to take place from May 28 (Thursday) to June 1 (Monday). This year's event features a new venue at the modern Grand Green Osaka, conveniently located next to Osaka Station, alongside the expansive Expanded Section set in a former shipyard. This creates a unique fusion of art and space, promising an unforgettable experience.

Starting from March 4, attendees can purchase early bird pair tickets at a discount of up to ¥1,500, with sales running until April 15. The event will not only showcase impressive artworks from various galleries but will also feature a talk by The Chain Museum’s representative, Masamichi Toyama. This discussion will delve into the theme of “New Value in Art,” exploring how art contributes to society.

Two Unique Venues Redefining Contemporary Art

Since its inception in 2002, ART OSAKA has been at the forefront of the Kansai art scene. In 2026, it marks a pivotal shift as it embraces development in the Umeda district with its two venues:

• - Galleries Section at Congress Square, Grand Green Osaka
• - Expanded Section at Creative Center Osaka

Galleries Section

Located directly linked to Osaka Station’s Umeda underground entrance, the Congress Square is nestled within a lush urban park themed around “Nature, Innovation, and Co-Creation.” This area, known for its significant redevelopment, will host 52 galleries from Japan and abroad presenting over 500 contemporary artworks. The combination of business environments and cultural flair promises a vibrant backdrop for art lovers.

Expanded Section

Set in the innovative Creative Center Osaka, the Expanded Section maximizes the uniqueness of an industrial heritage site. Artworks that typically challenge the space constraints of conventional fairs will be featured, including large-scale installations and video pieces that provide a dynamic viewing experience. The expansive nature of this section invites audiences to engage with art in a way that is not commonly found elsewhere.

Both venues aim to present a multifaceted view of the contemporary art landscape, encouraging interaction and exploration among attendees.

Talk Event: Art is New Value

The talk, titled “Art is New Value”, will be held on May 30 from 3 PM to 4 PM at the Congress Square. Masamichi Toyama, founder of Smiles and current head of The Chain Museum, will engage with moderator Yoshikazu Matsuo, a director of APCA and head of TEZUKAYAMA GALLERY.

This insightful session will reflect on the significance of owning art not merely as a consumer activity but as a contribution to supporting artists and passing cultural values to future generations. Attendees will have the chance to explore how a collection encompasses not just economic value but educational perspectives and the extension of creative thinking.

This discourse invites participants to rethink the role of art in daily life, shedding light on how it could lead to a new cultural cycle. Through this dialogue, attendees will reassess what it means to own and support art within society and consider the potential new values that contemporary art can embody.

Ticket Information

Early Bird Tickets Available Now

• - Early Bird Ticket: ¥2,500
• - Pair Ticket: ¥4,500 (admit up to 2 people)
• - General Admission Ticket: ¥3,000

Ticket Sales Period

• - Early Bird Tickets from March 4 to April 15
• - General Tickets from April 16 through June 1

All ticket types grant access to both sections of the event.

For more information on ticketing and the event schedule, visit the official site: ART OSAKA 2026

The Chain Museum is committed to fostering connections between art and audiences. The interactive platform ArtSticker facilitates encounters with a wide range of artworks and artists, from renowned names to promising newcomers and aims to create a unique dialogue surrounding art appreciation. Learn more at ArtSticker Website.