Kyoto Art Center (京都芸術センター)
The Kyoto Art Center, located in the centeral area of Kyoto City, is a site for promoting art-realated activities.
Meirin elementary school built with aide of ordinary people in Kyoto during the Meiji era, had been closed, and a space for conducting art-related activities was established on the site, using the original school building.
The following facilities are housed in the center: a room where artistic products are generated, a gallery, a large hall, a free space, a library, an information desk, a café (the Maeda Coffee Meirin shop), a chatting room, and shops. It is a three-story building made of reinforced concrete.
Its operation, entrusted to the Kyoto City association for art and culture, includes activities such as supporting art-related artivities, collecting and sending out information, executing 'Artist In Rsidence Programs' and promoting interactions between artists and other local people are carried out. The director is Soshitsu SEN, the head of the Urasenke school of tea ceremonies.
Location: 546-2 Yamabushi-cho, Takoyakushi-dori Sagaru Muromachi-dori, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City
Access: Get off at Karasuma Station on the Kyoto Main Line of Hankyu Railway or at Shijo Station on the Karasuma Line of Kyoto City Subway and walk five minutes.
History
In 1869, the Sanbangumi elementary school (the third elementary school) (later Meirin elementary school) was opened on the former Meirinsha site.
In 1931, the school building was rebuilt into one made of reinforced concrete.
In 1993, the Kyoto City-run Meirin elementary school was closed.
In 1996, a plan to use the former Meirin elementary school as 'a center for promoting interactive art/culture-related activities' was compiled in 'A plan to promote art/culture-related activities in Kyoto City' by 'the council to deliberate on use of former school sites.'
The building of the former Meirin elementary school was expanded as well as partially reformed and opened as the Kyoto Art Center in April, 2000.