3331 Arts Chiyoda

“3331 Arts Chiyoda” was created by renovating the old Rensei Junior High School in Chiyoda-Ku.
It started in 2010 as “a place to present new culture and artistic expressions.”
Since its opening, the place has been used to host exhibitions and talk events by leading artists as well as workshops that anyone can casually participate in to interact with art.

The picture is taken at “3331 Art Fair 2016.”

The old teachers’ room has been turned into a community space that anyone can use.

At the moment, the rooms on five floors from the basement to the rooftop are used for various purposes including art galleries, rental spaces, multi-purpose community space, a café, the shop that sells original items and offices.

Various organizations and companies use the office spaces.

There is a rental organic vegetable garden on the rooftop. Once a month, an expert staff gives a lecture on how to grow vegetables and herbs. Anyone can apply to use the garden, so if you’re interested, please go to their website.

The shop in 3331 Arts Chiyoda sells artworks and items that are unique to each local community as well as works of young artists.

The unique thing about this art center is that it promotes the concepts of “community-based activities” and “voluntary and sustainable support to revitalize local communities.” During the day, mothers with a stroller often visit the community space and “resting room for parents and children” while many children come in the afternoon to do their homework.

In “resting room for parents and children,” they hold an event called “kaekko bazaar” where children can bring their unwanted toys to exchange for another toy. The room is open for anyone, but “kaekko bazaar” is held irregularly, so please make an inquiry beforehand.

Artist Hiroshi Fuji put together pieces of toys, which were collected at “kaekko” projects, and created “Toys Saurus.”

The above is an artwork made in the workshop for the elderly which was held in the residents meeting room of the building.

At the beginning, artists took the lead in creating new things and experimenting with new expressions, but as the people in the community became more involved, there are more diversified artistic expressions and activities that citizens take part in. Now, the art center is involved in community festivals and local events such as Kanda Matsuri.

“3331 Gallery” introduces up-and-coming young artists. The picture is taken at the exhibition, “Inventory management is a running hot chariot” by two artists units called Mirukusouko and The Coconuts. Each member of this collaborative unit possesses technical skills as craftsmen and engineers. Their artworks transcend the division between art and technique.

3331 Arts Chiyoda organizes five main events throughout a year where they actively engage in art events and projects that promote new ways of expressions and contemporary artists’ works.
“TRANS ARTS TOKYO”, organized by an affiliated organization of 3331 Arts Chiyoda called “Command N”, is held every fall in the neighborhood of Kanda. The whole neighborhood turns into a stage for art, and various exhibitions and events are held.
The northeastern part of central Tokyo that stretches from Kanda and Akihabara to Yanesen district is also known as “UP TOKYO.” 3331 Arts Chiyoda is planning to engage vigorously in community-based events in this area.

Exhibited in the space between the café and the smoking room is “ART DUCT EXHIBITION#11 ‘Katsudou no Hanni’ by Yasuko Toyoshima.”

“By combining local activities and public facilities with art, local communities can be more fascinating.” With this belief, “3331 Arts Chiyoda” explores new ways of expressions. Please look forward to their future activities.

This is the schedule for workshops by “Arts Council Tokyo ROOM 302,” the tenant on the third floor.

Old classrooms have been turned into studios and galleries where various artists gather. The above is alpha studio on the third floor.

Nov 2016　Text: Ryoko Kuraishi　Photo: Yasuo Yamaguchi