From September 7 to 16, 2010, the Mitsubishi Corporation Art Gate Program (MCAGP) 2009 Scholarship Student Art Exhibition was held at GYRE (Omotesando).

MCAGP provides a scholarship system and supports the careers aspiring young artists. This exhibition was designed to give many more people the opportunity to view the fruitage of a one year's work by the ten recipients of the first MCAGP scholarship, and more than 500 people visited over the span of the exhibition.

A reception to commemorate the art exhibition was held on September 12. Everyone who purchased works at the MCAGP Charity Auction was invited and the guests enjoyed a presentation by the artists and a convivial party. The participants of the event provided many messages of encouragement to the scholarship recipients such as "please cherish your passion and keep working hard," and "please contribute to everyone's happiness by continuing to paint splendid artwork." On September 15, Ken Kobayashi, MC's president and CEO visited the exhibition, mingling with the artists and speaking words of encouragement.

MC held the eighth charity auction for the Mitsubishi Corporation Art Gate Program (MCAGP) on June 19 and 27, 2010. The Auction attracted as many as 170 people, and amid a lively atmosphere, all 50 artworks selected for auction from those submitted were sold (20 at GYRE in Omotesando and 30 at the Mitsubishi Shoji Building in Marunouchi).

Those who attended were able to mingle with the artists. For the artists, it was an opportunity to broaden the scope of their activities such as by going over, with portfolio in arm, to thank the person who purchased his or her work. Those attending the auction were also seen idling over to the artists and their works and engaging in enjoyable conversation.

The auction this time ended as a success thanks to many people understanding the purpose of MCAGP and providing their cooperation.

MC conducts the Mitsubishi Corporation Art Gate Program (MCAGP) as a corporate contribution to society. The program supports the aspirations and the careers of artists.

Every three months, MC holds an open call for artwork submissions from young artists to purchase 50 artworks. Each of these works of art are purchased for 100,000 yen and exhibited inside or outside MC for a set period of time. Afterwards, the works are sold at a charity auction. The full amount of the auction's sale proceeds goes to a scholarship fund for people aspiring to be fine artists.

In fiscal 2009, the second year since the program first started, eight auctions have been held. In total, 767 people have attended the auctions, and through lively bidding, 197 works of art have been sold under the hammer (bought) for a total sum of 11,001,000 yen. After deducting from this auction amount, the portion returnable to artists of the works that are sold for more than 100,000 yen, 10,116,000 yen is planned to be allocated for next fiscal year's scholarship, which will be awarded to ten people.

MC chose the name "Mitsubishi Corporation Art Gate Program" with the expectation that the program will serve as a gate for aspiring artists to form a future career.

Through having had works exhibited and auctioned in the past, many talented artists have been given the opportunity to hold solo exhibitions and have been asked by collectors to create new artwork. In this way, the program is gradually building a reputation that lives up to the intended meaning of "gate."

MC held the seventh charity auction for the Mitsubishi Corporation Art Gate Program on March 6 and 13, 2010 and as many as 170 people attended the event. The theme of the event was "kizuna" which means "cherished connections between people," and amidst a lively atmosphere, all 47 artworks selected for auction from those submitted were sold (17 works at GYRE in Omotesando, and 31 at the Mitsubishi Shoji Building in Marunouchi).

Those who attended were able to mingle with the artists. The artists participating for the first time could be seen working hard to improve their career prospects of becoming a professional artist, proactively enjoying conversation with guests with their own portfolio in hand.

The auction this time ended as a success thanks to the support of the many people who attended.

MC held the sixth charity auction for the Mitsubishi Corporation Art Gate Program on December 5 and 12, 2009, and 120 people attended the event.

The theme of the event was "kizuna" which means "cherished connections between people," and the objective was to nurture young artists and support their careers. The 50 works that were selected from those who applied were exhibited at two places: 29 works at the Mitsubishi Shoji Building in Marunouchi and 21 works at GYRE in Omotesando. Amidst a friendly atmosphere in which visitors mingled with the artists, all works were sold.

The objectives of this program are steadily being realized such as by providing the participating artists with the opportunity for them to publicize their private exhibitions.

On Saturday, October 4, 2008, at the Mitsubishi Corporation in Marunouchi, an auction was held of 40 works of art focusing on the theme of "Living with Nature," which MC had purchased by public invitation. About 170 people of the general public attended the auction.

The art works were exhibited at the auction and the artists also attended. The people attending the auction embraced the opportunity to mingle with the artists and the auction commenced in a congenial atmosphere. One artist, whose comment was representative of the general consensus, said, "the experience of witnessing the process of one's own artwork being put under the gaze of many eyes and then being handed over to someone by auction was tremendous motivation to continue my art activities. I would like to apply for the 'Art Gate Program' again." The first auction was a tremendous success with all the art works getting sold under the hammer.

CSR and Environmental Topics has been updated.

In June 2008, MC launched the Mitsubishi Corporation Art Gate Program ("MCAGP") in order to foster the development of talented young artists. Specifically, the program seeks to support students and recent graduates of arts schools in Japan, who lack opportunities to display their work. The MCAGP will purchase as many as 200 works of art from such artists each year. The works will subsequently be sold through auctions, after being displayed at the Marunouchi Office and other venues. The proceeds will be a scholarship for the artists.

The MCAGP will periodically invite artists to submit artwork and hold auctions. Through these auctions, MC aims to foster a culture where people don't just view art, but also seek to buy art and support artists.