UNIQLO and MoMA Renew Partnership to Enhance Art Accessibility Globally

In a significant move to promote accessibility to art, global apparel retailer UNIQLO has announced the renewal of its partnership with The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. This renewed collaboration, which extends a relationship that began in 2013, aims to enhance community engagement through various initiatives, including the popular UNIQLO Friday Nights program. The expanded program will offer free admission to New York State residents every Friday night from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, allowing them to explore MoMA’s rich collection of modern art.

According to John Jay, President of Global Creative at Fast Retailing, UNIQLO’s parent company, “There is renewed spirit of creativity in our partnership with MoMA. Our support for New Yorkers with UNIQLO Friday Nights represents a new exploration of how to bring more joy and inspiration to the people of our community through MoMA.” This sentiment is echoed by Sarah Suzuki, Associate Director of MoMA, who noted, “The expansion of UNIQLO Friday Nights, along with ongoing projects like the UT collection, strengthens our shared commitment to making art accessible to all, especially New Yorkers.”

UNIQLO Friday Nights has previously welcomed millions of visitors, offering complimentary admission and digital series programs such as UNIQLO ArtSpeaks and Drawn To MoMA. Since its inception, the initiative has facilitated access for over 3.25 million visitors, significantly enhancing the cultural landscape for local residents.

In addition to the admission program, the partnership will continue to produce collaborative product lines under UNIQLO's UT (Uniqlo T-shirt) collection. The latest MoMA Art Icons UT collection, which launched earlier this year, features designs inspired by renowned artworks, including Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night (1889) and Claude Monet’s Agapanthus (1914-26). Three new designs will be launched globally, with availability in Japan starting June 9, 2025.

The collaboration with MoMA is part of UNIQLO's broader vision of ‘Art for All’, which aims to foster appreciation for art and culture globally. UNIQLO has established partnerships with several leading museums, including Tate, the Louvre, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, to increase public engagement with art.

Historically, UNIQLO's involvement with MoMA predates the partnership, as the company sponsored the exhibition “Tokyo 1955-1970: A New Avant-Garde” in 2012. This long-standing relationship underscores a commitment to cultural exchange and public enrichment.

The implications of this partnership extend beyond mere commerce; they reflect a shift towards corporate social responsibility in the retail sector. By facilitating access to cultural institutions like MoMA, UNIQLO not only enhances its brand image but also plays a crucial role in the democratization of art.

As the global landscape continues to evolve, the collaboration between UNIQLO and MoMA may serve as a model for other companies seeking to integrate social value into their business models. This partnership not only supports the arts but also fosters a sense of community, making art an integral part of everyday life for many people. Looking ahead, it will be interesting to observe how this initiative evolves and influences other corporate partnerships in the cultural sector.