The Ohara Museum of Art's new slogan "Everyone's My Museum" - An interview with Director Akane Ohara about thoughts leading up to the 100th anniversary.

Located in the center of the Bikan Historical Area, Ohara Museum of Art.

The Ohara Museum of Art, which can be said to represent Kurashiki City and Okayama Prefecture, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2030.

In preparation for the upcoming 100th anniversary, a new slogan has been announced by the Ohara Museum of Art.

The slogan is "Everyone's My Museum." At the same time, a logo has also been announced.

What kind of thoughts are embedded in this slogan?

And how is the Ohara Museum of Art planning to celebrate its 100th anniversary?

We interviewed Akane Ohara, the chairperson of the Ohara Museum of Art.

Aiming to be "A Familiar Ohara Museum for Everyone"

Can you tell us the background behind deciding on the slogan?

Ohara

I had been thinking about the ideal image of the Ohara Museum of Art for some time, and I have always held the desire to "utilize the strengths of being in a rural area and be a familiar Ohara Museum for everyone."

Now that the 100th anniversary is in sight, I thought it was time to start running again to realize this long-held desire.

First, I thought, "Let's convey our thoughts to everyone who supports us regularly."

And then, "We want to realize 'A Familiar Ohara Museum for Everyone' together with everyone."

With that in mind, we announced the slogan this time.

Was there a trigger that made you think, "Let's announce the slogan that embodies our thoughts!"?

Ohara

There were several factors, but the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant trigger.

This is because about 90% of the Ohara Museum of Art's income comes from admission fees.

The Ohara Museum of Art can be said to be a museum that is operated with the support of each individual.

I particularly felt this when we had to close due to the state of emergency.

During the closure, I began to think more than ever about "What is the purpose of the Ohara Museum of Art?"...

With the 100th anniversary in mind, I announced it in the form of a "slogan" to align everyone in the same direction.

What do you think is the purpose of the Ohara Museum of Art?

Ohara

I want the Ohara Museum of Art to be a place where art lovers and local people can say, "I'm glad the Ohara Museum of Art is in Kurashiki!"

In fact, this intention has been passed down from the founder, Ohara Magosaburo.

The founding statement of the Ohara Museum of Art states, "We establish this museum believing that there is significance in being here."

Because we exist in the region of "Kurashiki," I want to respond to even the small voices of the locals.

And as a private museum, I believe we have the agility to respond to those small voices.

As a side note, when we challenged crowdfunding in 2020, I felt that many people support the Ohara Museum of Art as if it were their own.

In the next ten years, I want to further instill the feeling that "this is my Ohara Museum of Art."

I believe that will also lead to ensuring the sustainability of the Ohara Museum of Art.

Everyone's "My" Museum is "every," not "all"

How was the phrase "Everyone's My Museum" decided?

Ohara

It was decided by all the staff.

We were brainstorming slogan ideas so that each person living in Kurashiki City and Okayama Prefecture would think, "This is my Ohara Museum."

The phrase "Everyone's Museum" came up first...

When one staff member suggested, "How about adding 'My' before Museum?" it clicked for me.

Indeed, while it is "everyone's museum," everyone's "My" Museum is "every."

After considering other proposals, we ultimately agreed on "Everyone's My Museum."

How was the logo decided?

Ohara

The logo was created to clearly convey the intention of the slogan.

Just like how art is perceived, what it looks like and what color it is can vary from person to person.

I would be happy if each person could entrust their own Ohara Museum to the logo while imagining freely.

From the Ohara Museum of Art to the Local Community

What specific activities are planned for the 100th anniversary?

Ohara

I want to continue activities that bring the Ohara Museum of Art to everyone, not just events within the museum.

If there are 100 people, there are 100 different real places.

For those who find it difficult to visit the Ohara Museum of Art, the place where the museum is located is not the only real place.

By going to each real place, I hope people will think, "This is my Ohara Museum!"

For example, I would like to eventually hold the exhibition "The Miracle of Kurashiki: 'Western Masterpieces Have Arrived!'", which was postponed due to the impact of COVID-19.

This is an exhibition where we took paintings collected by Kojima Torajiro to a nearby elementary school.

In fact, this project is reminiscent of an exhibition we held before the opening of the Ohara Museum of Art.

I want to share again the significance of having the actual works in Kurashiki City with the citizens of Kurashiki.

And I would be happy if children could think, "The Ohara Museum of Art is a place I can casually visit like a park."

Additionally, I enjoyed the train operations realized in collaboration with Mizushima Rinkai Railway and Ibara Railway, as well as providing online content for children in hospital classrooms.

I want to continue to value our efforts to go to everyone's real places.

It seems like you could discover the Ohara Museum of Art everywhere!

Ohara

If people say, "There's the Ohara Museum of Art here!" and "There's the Ohara Museum of Art over there!" I think it brings the Ohara Museum of Art closer to being "Everyone's My Museum."

Of course, please come visit the museum too!

As a way to spend a holiday, I hope it can become one of the options: "Are we going to the Aeon Mall? To the beach? Or to the Ohara Museum of Art?"

In addition to regular operations, I want to revive the Children's Art Museum and hope it will also be used as a wedding venue...

Since our predecessors built a wonderful facility, it would be a waste not to use it!!

On both special and ordinary days, you can spend time at the Ohara Museum of Art. I believe this is also a step towards "Everyone's My Museum."

That said, it's not that we can do anything, so drawing the line is difficult.

Do you have an ideal vision for the Ohara Museum of Art when it reaches its 100th anniversary?

Ohara

I want to aim for a museum that is "a microcosm of the world."

Looking at the current visitors to the Ohara Museum of Art, the demographics are unbalanced compared to the world's population ratio.

There are many able-bodied individuals, while those with disabilities are few.

There is also a current situation where particularly few people of African descent visit from overseas...

I hope the Ohara Museum of Art can be a place where one can say, "This is Earth. This is normal."

That said, my greatest hope is for the next generation running the Ohara Museum of Art to freely pursue what they want to do.

I am currently working daily to ensure that the next generation can confidently celebrate the 100th anniversary.

What Can We Do and Play at the Ohara Museum of Art?

Finally, please give a message to the readers.

Ohara

Please come visit while thinking, "What can I do and play at the Ohara Museum of Art?"

My greatest hope is for you to get involved.

I believe that art has infinite power.

At the same time, I believe that the people, things, and events related to art also have infinite power.

When you encounter art through the Ohara Museum of Art, I would be delighted if it becomes an opportunity for those who have previously found the museum distant to create a better future.

I hope everyone can come with the feeling of "Let's have fun at the Ohara Museum of Art!"

Conclusion

When the interview ended, I felt a refreshing sense of clarity.

I believe it was because I felt the agility of the Ohara Museum of Art more than I had imagined.

Chairperson Ohara's assertion that "Since our predecessors built a wonderful facility, it would be a waste not to use it!!"

The staff's desire to realize "a museum that comes to meet you."

It is precisely because of the flexibility to respond to the small voices of the locals that the Ohara Museum of Art can aim to be "Everyone's My Museum."

I wonder what feelings and actions will arise in those who encounter art through the Ohara Museum of Art.

As an art lover myself, I believe that the people, things, and events related to art possess infinite power.

"What should I do next at the Ohara Museum of Art?"

This was a valuable interview that looked toward the future the Ohara Museum of Art envisions, making me naturally excited.

Articles about the Ohara Museum of Art

Data of Ohara Museum of Art

Name	Ohara Museum of Art
Location	1-1-15 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
Contact	086-422-0005
Parking	None
Opening Hours	【December to February】 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last admission: 2:30 PM) 【March to November】 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last admission: 4:30 PM)
Closed Days	Monday Open if it coincides with a public holiday or substitute holiday Winter closure and temporary closures may occur
Admission Fee (including tax)	【General】 Adults: 2,000 yen High school, junior high, and elementary school students (under 18 years old): 500 yen
Payment Methods	Cash Credit Card Transportation IC cards such as Suica, iD, QUICPay, nanaco, PayPay
Reservations	Available No reservation required for individuals
Smoking	Completely non-smoking
Restrooms	Western-style toilets, barrier-free toilets
Childcare	Nursing room, diaper changing table, stroller rental The nursing room is located in the Craft Museum Diaper changing tables are available on the 2nd floor of the main building and in the Craft Museum
Barrier-Free	Wheelchair rental, ramps, barrier-free toilets, elevators
Website	Official Website of Ohara Museum of Art

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