Loewe Foundation to give three years of financial support to the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka in collaboration with the Tokuma Memorial Cultural Foundation for Animation
Continuing its mission to support and celebrate craft in its many forms, Loewe Foundation will sponsor the Tokuma Memorial Cultural Foundation for Animation in a collaboration that gives three years of financial support to maintain the cultural activities at the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka.
‘Studio Ghibli and Loewe have many shared values, from a longstanding commitment to craft to an enduring love of nature. We look forward to becoming a part of their story, helping to spread the unique charm of the Ghibli Museum around the world.’
Opened in October 2001 on the southwest side of Inokashira Park, the Ghibli Museum is both a cultural space and relaxing recreational facility, featuring a park and green areas that underline connection with nature as a main feature of Studio Ghibli.
The building itself symbolizes the world of Studio Ghibli’s works conceived by director Hayao Miyazaki and functions as a hub to maintain and share the excellence of animation work. The building’s colorful exterior and interior walls have been given a rounded plaster finish by the hands of many artisans, while the stained glass windows feature Ghibli characters. There is a warmth to the ambiance that comes from a deep appreciation of the work of craftspeople. Hayao Miyazaki wanted to build a museum that would embrace people’s ability ‘to feel’ to the fullest extent: a warmth that is truly human. On permanent display are depictions of how animation films are made, as well as what the creators see and feel when they are creating a film.
Craft is at the heart of Loewe and Studio Ghibli, both committed to promoting the warmth created through handwork: be it a luxury leather object or animated films composed of tens of thousands of hand-drawn pictures. This shared value has led to an ongoing collaboration that is both natural and mutually enriching.
The funds from Loewe Foundation will be used to support the museum operations, including the continuation of the museum’s exhibitions and cultural activities. “We are very proud to support the Ghibli Museum, one of Japan’s most beloved creative institutions,” says Sheila Loewe, president of Loewe Foundation. “Studio Ghibli and Loewe have many shared values, from a longstanding commitment to craft to an enduring love of nature. We look forward to becoming a part of their story, helping to spread the unique charm of the Ghibli Museum around the world.” Ghibli Museum’s managing director Kazuki Anzai is equally delighted. “A maison with craftsmanship at the core of its identity, and Ghibli Museum, that communicates the warmth of handcraft through animating thousands of drawings, come together,’’ he says.
Connecting and collaborating in the name of craft and the handmade, Loewe Foundation and Tokuma Foundation foster and promote deeply humanistic values that are a vessel of knowledge and soulfulness much needed in the world of today, and tomorrow.