About the Nika Association

　In 1889, the Meiji Art Association was founded as Japan’s first art association of western paintings. Seven years later in 1896, a faculty for western paintings was opened at the Tokyo Fine Arts School. This was the dawn of the western art age in Japan. During that period, in conjunction with the return of rising Japanese artists who had been studying abroad in France, a conflict arose between the contemporary and classical values at the time of judging at the art exhibition held by the Ministry of Education. Therefore, a request was sent to the government to separate the contemporary and classical schools into different divisions. However, the government rejected the request as they thought it was still too early.

　Hence, in 1914, rising artists founded the Nika Association as an independent art organization with the aim of promoting contemporary art, in response to the western art division of the art exhibition held by the Ministry of Education. We have been making progress over almost 100 years while adhering to our purpose, which is “To make selections regardless of our art style while advocating the artists’ creative freedom and respecting new values.” Since then, the Nika Association has constantly absorbed new trends and has fostered many well-known artists since our founding.

　Currently, Nika Art Exhibitions are held in four divisions: Painting, Sculpture, Design, and Photography. The Painting and Sculpture divisions incorporated in 1979 (Showa 54) with the aim of democratic management was launched as the Nikakai Incorporated Association. In 2012 (Heisei 24), the Painting and Sculpture divisions were certified as the Nikakai Public Interest Incorporated Association, and the Design and Photography divisions also followed suit and became incorporated.

　Since 2007, the venue for this exhibition has been moved from the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno to the National Art Center, Tokyo in Roppongi. The Nika Art Exhibition, also known as the Autumn Nika Exhibition, is held in four categories, and while it serves as a venue for presenting the mature masterpieces that its members have refined their skills over the years. In addition, it endeavors to promote the arts by publicly soliciting works from across the country and exhibiting the best works selected by its members through a judging committee. The association also aims to contribute to society at large through art, such as by donating to disaster-stricken areas and holding special exhibitions of works by children in Ukraine. Following the Tokyo exhibition, the NIKA exhibition will also travel to other major cities.

　Moreover in Spring, the NIKA+nika exhibition is held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno, with the aim of experimental works by members and emerging artists. Starting from 2024 (Reiwa 6), the NIKA+nika exhibition will also be held as a special event, the “NIKA+nika /S20” competition, open to the public, to explore wider possibilities for expression.

Nika Association (public interest incorporated association)