art on is a web magazine that exists to make contemporary art feel closer to everyday life.
Since launching in 2017, we have published articles on exhibitions, artists, art fairs in Japan and abroad, and the pleasure of collecting works.
Reporting and writing principles
- We write from the venue. Exhibition reports are written after actually visiting the site. We never build an article out of a press release alone.
- We work from primary sources. Our articles are built around what we hear directly from artists, galleries and museums.
- We write critically, but with respect. Even when we are frank about a work or an exhibition, respect for the artist’s practice is the premise.
Ownership and conflicts of interest
art on is published by biscuit Inc. The same company also runs biscuit gallery, a commercial contemporary art gallery, and our editor-in-chief serves as its representative.
We state this relationship openly, and our editorial work is carried out independently of it. The gallery’s commercial interests play no part in deciding which exhibitions or artists we cover.
In practice, 13 of our 1,229 published articles (1.1%) mention biscuit gallery, as of September 2026. When we write about our own gallery or the artists it handles, we state that relationship within the article.
Advertising and sponsored articles
- As a rule, we do not accept payment in exchange for publication. Even when we are asked to cover something, the reporting and writing are done at the discretion of the art on editorial team, and publication is free of charge.
- If an article is ever produced for a fee as an exception, we mark it [PR] at the top of the article. Every article without that label was produced independently by the art on editorial team.
- We cannot guarantee publication. From the information we receive, we cover what the art on editorial team judges to be of value to readers.
Use of AI
art on publishes articles in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. Versions other than Japanese are produced using machine translation, and are published after the art on editorial team has checked proper nouns and the titles of works. The Japanese version is the original. Where wording or interpretation differs, please read the Japanese version as authoritative.
The reporting and writing of the articles themselves are done by the art on editorial team.
Images and copyright
- As a rule, the photographs we publish were taken by the art on editorial team at the venue. When we use images supplied to us, we carry the credit line given by the provider.
- Copyright in the works belongs to the respective artists. Images of works are published within the scope of reporting and criticism, for the purpose of introducing exhibitions.
- If an artist or rights holder contacts us about a published image, we respond promptly. Please send requests for removal or replacement to the address below.
Contact
Comments or corrections regarding this editorial policy are welcome at press@art-on.jp.