Art Collaboration Kyoto's Collaboration-First Model and Yukako Yamashita's Departure

Art Collaboration Kyoto (ACK) is a Japanese contemporary art fair that prioritizes partnerships over traditional gallery isolation. Its 2025 edition, themed '2050 — Gaze Toward the Future,' was held November 14–16 at the Kyoto International Conference Center, featuring 72 galleries from 19 countries and 28 cities. Program Director Yukako Yamashita, who led the fair since 2022, stepped down after the 2025 edition. She emphasized that ACK's structure is built on purposeful collaboration, not mere co-location. The fair includes Gallery Collaborations pairing Japanese host galleries with international guests, and Kyoto Meetings, a curated section linking artists to Kyoto's cultural heritage. Off-site exhibitions in temples and historic villas extend the fair beyond the convention center. ACK also operates year-round programs: ACK Talks, ACK Kids' Programs, and the Bangkok Collaborate Kyoto Fellowship (BCK Fellowship), launched in 2025 with Bangkok Kunsthalle. The inaugural BCK Fellowship was awarded to Takuro Tamayama (ANOMALY) and WangShui (kurimanzutto). Yamashita noted challenges in Japan's art ecosystem, including a need for bilingual cultural intermediaries and stronger global connections. She will continue through her company YMKY Inc., focusing on education, institutions, and cross-sector collaboration. The 2026 edition will be led by a new team.