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Yukako Yamashita is the program director of ACK and an advisor for Kyoto City Growth Strategy Promotion. Previously, she was the managing director of the Club gallery (2017–22) and held positions at Sotheby’s in Japan and London. ACK runs from October 31 through November 3 at the Kyoto International Conference Center, with October 31 as its VIP preview day.

One of the most exciting trends in the art world today is the blossoming of a collaborative spirit among industry players. Galleries have increasingly teamed up at art fairs worldwide in recent years, with a notable example being Art Basel Paris, as Artnet News reported. As the director of a young art fair that is built on this collaborative model, this resonates deeply with me, and I believe that this will continue to grow in challenging times.

Having run my own gallery before taking on the role of an art fair director, I know firsthand how difficult it is for galleries to exhibit at international art fairs. Financial concerns such as shipping costs, operational expenses, and participation fees are very real. Presenting your artists in a country that is not just geographically distant but also culturally different can be intimidating. Japan, for example, has a unique culture, customs, and language. For international galleries, it is a steep learning curve that takes more time than just a few days at an art fair.

At ACK, collaboration goes beyond simply sharing a booth. Our unique model involves a Japan-based gallery hosting an international gallery as a guest. This approach helps to ease the anxieties that come with navigating a new audience and market. It enables galleries to showcase their work more effectively, leading to stronger sales, which are essential for their survival, and, ultimately, better support for artists.

Art Collaboration Kyoto (ACK) 2023. Courtesy of ACK, photo by Moriya Yuki.

This model has proven to be especially beneficial in the current economic climate. The response has been overwhelmingly positive: This year, our fourth edition, we are hosting 69 galleries, up from 64 last year. The number of applications increased by 35 percent from 2023. I even received inquiries about applications for the 2025 edition.

We often forget that success takes time. Making great art and achieving strong sales do not happen overnight. This is something I learned from my family, which has been running a tea ceremony utensils business in Kyoto for six generations. Growing up in this environment, I came to understand that those of us in the art industry are carers for valuable works. Yet, the pace of the contemporary art world often leaves little room for the patience needed to achieve meaningful progress. Indeed, you can find someone who speaks the local language to man your booth, but building relationships in a new market is a gradual process that requires dedication and time.

Perseverance, however, yields results. For example, the Los Angeles-based contemporary art gallery Nonaka-Hill is opening its first overseas outpost in Kyoto this week. This all began with its first participation in ACK, teaming up with the local gallery Shibunkaku in 2022, which was also its overseas art fair debut. Its new Kyoto space is also in the same neck of the woods as Shibunkaku.

I am thrilled to see such collaborations and friendships flourish, and Kyoto is the ideal place for this growth. The city boasts a rich heritage of history, antiquities, and art. It is also home to many emerging contemporary artists—the city has one of the highest numbers of art universities in Japan. Local institutions have also developed initiatives to support young artists. A solid foundation has been laid for a thriving cultural ecosystem. I have faith that Kyoto will steadily grow into a hub for nurturing these valuable connections.

—As told to Vivienne Chow

This article was first published on October 30 in The Asia Pivot.