Youkobo Art Space, Tokyo

Zempukuji 3-2-10, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 167-0041 Japan

Tatsuhiko MURATA

Youkobo Art Space

Youkobo Art Space is located in metropolitan Tokyo, 15km west from the city center.

The facility consists of two artist studios, a gallery, and 2 residential rooms, all equipped with LAN access.

• Art Studios
  Suitable for art production, workshops, and exhibitions
  Studio A: 33 sq. m. space with 5-meter high ceiling.
  Studio B:  36 sq. m. space located on the second floor of the former medical clinic building, with high-ceiling of uncovered steel-frame, wood flooring, and natural light; equipped with large movable panels.
• Gallery
  Situated under Studio B. Suitable for displaying contemporary art, particularly, solo exhibitions. A lounge space is available in the adjacent space, where artists can access the latest information on artist-in-residence programs, etc., and also socialize with fellow artists and local residents.
• Residence
  Fully furnished space of 35 sq. m. is available for both short and long stays.
  Residence 1: Japanese style apartment on the first floor.
  Residence 2: Western style apartment on the second floor.

Since the 1980s, Youkobo Art Space has been active in creating a “space” for various artistic activities and programs. It has been used as art classes, sculpture atelier, and animation studio.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, the building was a medical clinic and sanatorium for tuberculosis patients. After the closing of the clinic, a section of the property was turned into a home-stay style residence for foreign artists and students, while the other section was used as animation studio for nearly two decades.  
In 2001, the building was refurbished and renewed as Youkobo Art Space, a contemporary art complex equipped with gallery, artist studio, and residence space.

Youkobo Art Space's primary objective is to contribute to cross-cultural understanding and regional development through artists’ practices that capitalize on local resources.
The artist-in-residence program offers overseas artists a home base for their activities in Tokyo. It is a place for international exchange and multicultural understanding through art, and encourages exchange between artists from various parts of the world and the local community.

• Artist-in-residence program
  The artist-in-residence program offers opportunities and space for artistic activities, workshops, exhibitions, and lectures, to local and international artists. Artists can take a maximum of 6 months in residency. The program respects artists’ proposals and assist in realizing them, by facilitating communication with local artist groups and related organizations.
• Contemporary art exhibitionsThe gallery exhibits works by young contemporary artists from Japan and overseas.
• Studio activities
  The studios are made available to support activities of local and international emerging artists.

Applications directly sent by artists are accepted. Generally, artists with support from other organizations are accepted.
Application deadlines annually two times: June 30 (results announced in August) and December 31 (results announced in February)

The artist-in-residence program has so far invited 70 artists from 15 countries.
The gallery has exhibited 50 artists, out of which 12 artists are from overseas.
For artists from overseas, opportunities to take up residence in Tokyo, get engaged in artistic activities, and exhibit the results of their residency maximize their experience in a foreign environment. This program gives rise to communication with local and international artists as well as local residents to develop international exchange through art and revitalize the local community.