Mami Kataoka Appointed Director of Japan's New National Center for Art Research

On March 28, Japan launched the National Center for Art Research (NCAR), which falls under the Independent Administrative Institution National Museum of Art, and appointed Mami Kataoka as its director. This center’s goal is to boost museum efforts across the country by promoting the use of art collections, building networks, enhancing educational programs, and providing support to artists. Kataoka will continue as the director of the Mori Art Museum while taking on this new position. Her background is impressive, having been a cultural policy researcher at the NLI Research Institute, the first chief curator at the Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, and the inaugural International Curator at the Hayward Gallery in London. She also held the role of Artistic Director for the 21st Biennale of Sydney in 2018 and the Aichi Triennale 2022. The NCAR plans to strengthen Japan’s museum landscape through research and practical assistance.