The Isobe Yukihisa Memorial Echigo-Tsumari Kiyotsu Soko Museum of Art (commonly known as SoKo) opened in 2015 following the renovation of the gymnasium at the former Kiyotsukyo Elementary School. Based on the innovative concept of “displaying while storing,” it began operations as the “Kiyotsu Soko Museum of Art.”Serving as the gateway to the Tsumari region and a venue capable of exhibiting large-scale contemporary sculptures, the museum welcomed many visitors during the “6th Echigo-Tsumari Art Filed.” Since then, we have been renovating the school building to create an even more enriching space.The Soko Art Museum, which aims to facilitate an exchange of artworks between “cities” and “regions,” is an initiative designed to address the dual challenges faced by many artists—who struggle to find storage space for their artworks while relying on cities as their primary venues—and the Echigo-Tsumari region, where vacant houses and abandoned schools continue to increase. It seeks to transform these challenges into positive outcomes through this exchange.Moving forward, the museum will continue to serve as a unique venue—unlike those found in cities—where visitors can both view and store large-scale artworks at the forefront of contemporary art. It will also deepen collaboration between visitors and the local community, serving as a venue for showcasing local products and hosting regional events. The newly renovated school building wing displays numerous artworks entrusted to the museum by Isobe Yukihisa himself. With these artworks as the cornerstone of the Permanent Exhibition, the museum has been reborn as a major regional facility where visitors can gain a deep understanding of the local landscape and way of life through art.

Current Exhibitions

“Before the rain, a Conjectural Study for Suzuki Bokushi’s “Akiyama Kikou” :“Travelogue”1828－No.2″
Photo by Kanemoto Rintaro

The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale and the Regional Environment: Preserving Regional Resources in Echigo-Tsumari
Photo by Kioku Keizo

And then it had already begun.
Photo by Nakamura Osamu