Instituto Tomie Ohtake

Introduction

The Instituto Tomie Ohtake, located in the Pinheiros district of São Paulo, is a vibrant cultural institution dedicated to the visual arts. It sits in a prime area of the city, within easy reach of public transportation such as the Faria Lima subway station, various bus lines, and bike lanes. The museum’s main entrance is on Rua Coropés, at number 88, and is prominently positioned on the corner of Avenida Faria Lima, near Largo da Batata. This unique space invites visitors to engage with a multidisciplinary cultural experience that blends art, architecture, education, and design.

About the Museum

Founded in 2001 in São Paulo, the Instituto Tomie Ohtake is a cultural institution committed to visual arts and actively dialogues with education, architecture, and design. It emphasizes openness to contemporary themes and inclusive representation across diverse voices.
The institute carries forward the legacy of Tomie Ohtake and her family—her sons Ruy and Ricardo—nurturing her vision of creating “fields of openness,” where free attitudes meet art and life.
Within its walls, visitors will find a dynamic program of exhibitions, educational activities, and public events, all designed to encourage discovery and creative participation.

The Educative Program (Educativo) plays a significant role in the museum’s mission. It offers a range of guided and mediated visits, atelier‑visits, workshops, activations, courses, seminars, and training sessions tailored for various audiences—including school groups, educators, professionals of culture, researchers, and spontaneous visitors. Activities are designed to be engaging, sensitive to each group’s profile, and occasionally include creative, poetic tasks in onsite ateliers, fostering deeper connection with the artworks.

Through Tomie Imprime, the institute promotes accessible art by offering limited‑edition risograph prints in A3 format, each accompanied by a special envelope and a seal of authenticity. These affordable artworks feature contributions from contemporary artists, making art acquisition more democratic and collectible.

Additionally, the Casa‑Ateliê Tomie Ohtake, situated in the Campo Belo neighbourhood of São Paulo, was the home and studio of the artist for nearly five decades. Designed by her son, architect Ruy Ohtake, the house was conceived from the outset as a creative space that accommodated her production and relationships with other artists. Visitors on mediated tours, guided by curators such as Sabrina Fontenele, can explore the traces of her creative process—including paint‑marked floors, maquettes, map collections, plants and personal objects—as well as works by artists close to Tomie, and furniture designed by notable designers like Arne Jacobsen and Le Corbusier.

Interesting Facts

• Commitment to Inclusivity: The museum positions itself as an institution open to all, actively opposing discrimination related to body, gender identity, or religious belief.
• Zero‑Cost Access: The exhibitions and many public programs are free of charge, reinforcing the institute’s mission to make art widely accessible.
• Innovative EdTech Practices: The Educativo program innovatively combines guided visits, hands‑on atelier‑visits, workshops, debates, and teacher training into one cohesive educational ecosystem.
• Artist’s Creative Footprint Preserved: The Casa‑Ateliê offers a tangible view into the daily life and work of Tomie Ohtake, capturing the essence of her studio, domestic rituals, and interactions with other artists.
• Art in Reach: Through Tomie Imprime, the institute allows art lovers to build collections with affordable, limited-edition prints by contemporary creators—making fine art accessible beyond institutional walls.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: +55 112 245 1900

Website: institutotomieohtake.org.br/

Facebook: facebook.com/inst.tomie.ohtake

Conclusion

The Instituto Tomie Ohtake stands as a radiant example of what a contemporary cultural institution can offer: an immersive, welcoming, and intellectually stimulating environment where art, education, architecture, and humanity converge. Visitors to the institute will find themselves immersed in thoughtfully curated exhibitions, participatory educational programs, and accessible art, all held within an architectural gem in São Paulo’s vibrant Pinheiros neighbourhood.
Coupled with the intimate experience of the Casa‑Ateliê—a living archive of Tomie Ohtake’s creativity and daily life—the institute provides a rare opportunity to connect with the life and legacy of a monumental artist. Whether through art-making workshops, risograph print collections, or reflective exhibition visits, the Instituto Tomie Ohtake invites every visitor to explore, learn, and be inspired.