Ayumi Terada

The University Museum, The University of Tokyo

ICOM No. 123459

Nominators: Akiko Fukuno (Japan), Hugues Dreysse (France)

Biographical note

Ayumi Terada is a Project Associate Professor in the Department of Intermediatheque at The University Museum, The University of Tokyo (UMUT). She specializes in art studies and museology, exploring innovative ways to utilize university museum collections and scientific knowledge to foster creativity, accessibility, and object-based learning. Her curatorial work includes developing Mobilemuseum projects that present collections in accessible and engaging ways, and organizing international exhibitions linking art, science, and natural and cultural history. In recent years, she has advanced ArtScience Studies, an interdisciplinary approach bridging artistic and scientific perspectives, focusing on botanical illustration, specimens, and botanical-themed art. Link to CV.

Qualifications for the position

I am a curator and researcher at The University Museum, The University of Tokyo (UMUT), working on the integration of art and science from the perspective of museology. My research focuses on
developing interdisciplinary approaches that connect scientific collections with artistic and cultural interpretation, as well as bridging natural and cultural history collections. Through these efforts, I seek
to redefine the role of university museums as platforms for creative learning, public engagement, and knowledge co-creation.
Over the past decade, I have curated and coordinated several international collaborative exhibitions, including Formosa Orchids Blossom (with the National Museum of History, Taiwan) and Faces and
Flora: Philippines and Japan Native Plant Photography (with the National Museum of the Philippines).

Both projects explored the intersection of art and science through botanical themes, demonstrating how university museums can connect scientific knowledge with cultural and artistic expression.
In 2023, I also led a collaborative exhibition between two university museums—UMUT and the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Bogotá / Entidad Cultural de UNIMINUTO—under the Mobilemuseum
initiative, which explored new ways of activating and interpreting university museum collections through collaboration. Collectively, these projects demonstrate how museums can foster global
dialogue through shared curatorial and educational practices.
Beyond curatorial work, I have edited bilingual (English–Japanese) exhibition catalogs, organized international symposiums, and managed cross-institutional collaborations. I am also engaged in
mentoring students and early-career researchers through collection-based research and curatorial training. Within UMUT, I have contributed to developing museum education programs that promote
interdisciplinary dialogue and creativity.
Since 2015, I have been actively involved in UMAC activities, contributing to the UMAC Futures initiative, appearing in the UMAC Imaginations video series, and being selected as a finalist for the
2022 UMAC Award. In 2019, I served on the Local Organizing Committee for the UMAC Conference held during the ICOM Kyoto, where I coordinated the visit of UMAC members to the
Intermediatheque / UMUT in Tokyo. These experiences have deepened my understanding of UMAC’s mission and its global community.
In addition, I currently serve in the DEI Research Division at our university headquarters, a role that has strengthened my awareness of diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in museum practice—
perspectives I hope to bring to UMAC’s international discussions.

Main goals of candidacy

As an Ordinary Board Member, I hope to contribute to UMAC’s goals of strengthening visibility, inclusiveness, and sustainability through collaboration and shared practice. My intention is to bring
perspectives from Asia and to support initiatives that connect university museums across disciplines, regions, and generations in a balanced and sustainable way.
To enhance visibility, I am interested in helping to identify and share good practices that highlight the diversity of university museum activities worldwide. By sharing examples and experiences from
Asia, I hope to broaden the understanding of different institutional models and regional approaches within the UMAC community, including interdisciplinary initiatives that connect research, creativity,
and cultural interpretation.
To promote inclusiveness, I aim to support opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among institutions with varying resources. Strengthening channels for communication—such as knowledge
exchange, multilingual materials, or cross-regional mentorship—can make UMAC more accessible while maintaining realistic scales of engagement.
To foster sustainability, I am interested in contributing to education and capacity building through collaborative and inclusive learning opportunities. I hope to support initiatives that encourage
knowledge exchange and the development of creative approaches to university museum practice.
In addition, I wish to promote dialogue on diversity, accessibility, and inclusion within university museum practice. These values are essential for creating a more equitable and globally connected
museum community.

Finally, I would like to contribute steadily to UMAC’s ongoing initiatives through intellectual exchange and thoughtful participation, ensuring that my involvement remains both meaningful and
sustainable.