は marks the topic of the sentence.
So:
It does not directly mean is. Instead, it sets up what the sentence is about. After that, the sentence says something about that topic:
So the whole structure is roughly:
That sounds unnatural in English, but it is a normal Japanese structure.
まで means until, up to, or through a certain point.
In this sentence:
So まで marks the limit or endpoint.
Common examples:
Here it tells you the exhibition lasts up to today.
In real-life usage, especially on signs, notices, and advertisements, 今日までです usually means:
So if you see this on a museum notice, the normal interpretation is that the exhibition is still available today, but not after today.
This is an important nuance, because a very literal English translation until today can sometimes sound like today might not be included. In Japanese, though, 今日まで often implies that today is included as the endpoint.
Japanese does not always need a full verb in the way English does.
Here, 今日までです works as a complete predicate:
So the sentence is essentially saying:
That sounds a little strange in English, but it is perfectly normal in Japanese.
Japanese often allows this kind of compact expression, especially in announcements and notices.
特別展 means special exhibition.
It is a compound word:
In museums, galleries, and similar places, 特別展 usually refers to a limited-time special exhibit, as opposed to a regular or permanent display.
です makes the sentence polite.
Compare:
In public-facing Japanese, especially in museums, stores, schools, and announcements, です is very common because it sounds courteous.
Yes. If the context is already clear, you can simply say:
That means:
Japanese often omits information that is already understood from context. So if everyone already knows you are talking about the special exhibition, the topic can be left out.
Because 今日まで functions as one unit.
Here:
Together they form the expression 今日まで = until today
So you do not need another particle between them.
This is a very common beginner question.
So:
In your sentence, まで is correct because it is talking about the duration or endpoint of the exhibition, not a deadline for someone to complete an action.
Usually は is more natural here.
This sounds like a normal announcement.
Using が would change the nuance and make it sound more like you are identifying or emphasizing the special exhibition in contrast to something else. In a simple notice, は is the standard choice because the sentence is just stating information about the topic.
It is natural, but it is especially common in notices, posters, museum signs, and announcements.
Japanese public writing often uses short, efficient sentences like this:
So yes, it is normal Japanese, and it is especially typical of informational writing.
The spaces are almost certainly there for learners.
Normal Japanese is usually written without spaces:
Textbooks and beginner materials often insert spaces to make it easier to see the parts:
So the spaced version is a teaching aid, not the usual way Japanese is written.