About Us

The Japanese Arts Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates inclusive and equitable opportunity, education, and support of Japanese arts thriving in Chicago’s diverse community and beyond. The JAF celebrates the multitude of voices in our community exploring and expanding Japanese arts and culture.

Since 2016, The JAF has supported this mission by hosting unique programs and open educational opportunities that share Japanese art equitably and accessibly, while highlighting our diverse community of artists, thinkers, and makers. If you would like to support these efforts, please consider donating.

In The Media

The Japanese Arts Foundation was recently featured on NBC regarding our Garden of the Phoenix events! Watch the video below!

Upcoming Events

Beside our regular schedule, we also frequently host visiting teachers and speakers.
Upcoming Festivals
Hanami/Kodomo no Hi 2024
May 5
Hanami/Kodomo no Hi 2024

In Japan, the ancient tradition of enjoying the beautiful but ephemeral blossoms of cherry trees is called hanami, which literally means “flower viewing.”

View fullsize
View fullsize We are thrilled to announce our newest collaboration with @gudknife and @getsuperhai ! Bring those Japanese knives out and join us for a whetstone sharpening and knife skills class! Course includes snacks from the incredible @getsuperhai ! Tickets ar
View fullsize Join us for "Melanated and Animated", a celebration of Black and Japanese culture featuring a panel discussion with industry guests, Suntory highballs, on-site gaming, and a private screening of Afro Samurai. Brought to you by the Japanese
View fullsize Join us once again in the Garden of the Phoenix on Saturday, April 22nd for our annual Hanami: Cherry Blossom Festival! It will be an afternoon of taiko, traditional Japanese dance, origami, cherry blossom sketching, and of course…cherry bloss
View fullsize We are thrilled to announce a collaborative night with our friends at Bit Bash! Join us for a night of independent Japanese games and cocktails... Space is limited so grab tickets while you can! (Link in bio) #bitbash #bitbashchicago #electrictown
View fullsize We want to thank everyone for coming out to Magical Girl Moment! It certainly was a moment and we were glad to share it with you. Peek some of the Magical Girl drag performers, cosplay contest winners, and good times! Photos courtesy of @glitterguts
View fullsize Some beautiful moments from the Kintsugi Gala from the talented @tlw.ii ! Featured: @punk_pilates Butoh performance @origami_with_ty @vanpaugam Urasenke Tea Ceremony sensei Omar Francis and Ikenobo Ikebana sensei Charles Harris. We are already pl
View fullsize Magical Girl Moment Saturday, December 3rd $30, 21+, Magic begins at 6:00pm We are having a Magical Girl Moment with the House of Suntory at Logan Theatre and you’re invited! Join the Japanese Arts Foundation in celebration of women supportin
View fullsize The Japanese Arts Foundation would like to take a moment to thank our volunteers. If you’ve attended one of our events, you certainly have had the pleasure of meeting a few! We are so grateful for all you do! Here are a few that supported this
View fullsize First drop of #Kintsugigala photos from @punkpinoy ! Here are a few fun moments all made possible by our amazing community! Thank you to all who came out. See you again next year with a new theme! #kintsugigala #japaneseartsfoundation #imsschicago #
View fullsize Gala guests can make Kintsugi Cranes to take home on the 3rd floor of the museum! Origami artist Ty Yamamoto, and his crew, are guiding guests to create their own all night. #kintsugicrane #kintsugi #origami #papercrane #gala #kintsugigala #japanese
View fullsize Also performing at the Kintsugi Gala, JAF board member and world renowned City Pop DJ Van Paugam! Dance to the nostalgic sounds of retro Japan with us. #citypop #mariyatakeuchi #japanesemusic #vanpaugam #kimtsugigala #imsschicago #japaneseartsfounda
View fullsize JAF resident artist Hekiun Oda will also be giving a large scale calligraphy performance at the gala! Those willing to brave a splash of ink on their formalwear to the front! #shodo #hekiunoda #calligraphy #japaneseart #kintsugigala #chicagoartist
View fullsize One week from our first annual fundraising gala! Don’t miss your chance to catch some amazing performances including wandering butoh from Chicago artist Cyan! A lost ghost explores the museum and interacts with humans. Does she live there? I
View fullsize ‘Kintsugi: Healing through Japanese Art’ opens tomorrow @surgicalmuseumchicago ! #kintsugi #trephination #trepanning #goldrepair #healing #arttherapy #japaneseart #gofun #nikawa #kinpaku #goldleaf #artexhibition #mamitakahashi
View fullsize “Kintsugi: Healing through Japanese Art”, opens next week at @surgicalmuseumchicago . As part of the exhibition we have been creating Kintsugi Sidewalks throughout Chicago. We considered the concrete and pavement we live our lives on as a
View fullsize Stunning photo from a guest at last weekend’s Tsukimi featuring the full moon over Yoko Ono’s SKYLANDING that resides in the Garden of the Phoenix. #yokoono #skylanding #gardenofthephoenix #jacksonpark #japaneseart #tsukimi #🎑 #moon #mo
View fullsize Our biggest thanks to our partners at @airmw , @chicagoparks , and @japanese_culture_center for another stunning Tsukimi evening in the Garden of the Phoenix. We look forward to welcoming you again next year! 🎑 #tsukimi #moonviewing #harvestmoon #ga
View fullsize
View fullsize The Japanese Arts Foundation and International Museum of Surgical Science cordially invite you to their inaugural joint Kintsugi Gala! Experience an evening of fine Japanese cuisine, spirits, and artistic performances and activations with full access