About Australia House

Australia House, located in one of the beautiful villages which are home to the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale (ETAT), is a base for cultural exchange, artist- and curator-in-residence programs and art exhibitions.

Australia supports ETAT's theme of "Human Beings are a Part of Nature" and has been participating in the ETAT since it began in 2000. Building on our close relationship with the Echigo-Tsumari region, Australia House was established in 2009. An abandoned traditional Japanese house in Urada, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, was renovated and revived as the original Australia House. Since then Australia House has hosted regular Artist-in-Residence Programs, enthusiastically supported by local residents, supporters and the Australian Government.

Unfortunately, Australia House collapsed in a powerful aftershock on 12 March 2011. However, it was quickly decided that Australia House would be rebuilt.

The current Australia House stands as a symbol of recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, taking into account environmental sustainability and protection from natural disasters. Based on an Australian architect's design selected through an international competition, it was rebuilt with the support of the Tokamachi City Government, the Australia-Japan Foundation, International Culture Appreciation and Interchange Society, Inc., the Australian Embassy Tokyo and local residents. It served as one of the main attractions of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2012 and received the 2013 Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture. Australia House aims to be the place for residency, production and exhibition of artists, curators and students, for learning and exposing various cultures of multi-national Australia, as well as for cultural exchanges with Australia based in the community.