3331 Arts Chiyoda, an art space in Tokyo’s community

Originally a former Rensei High School repurposed into an arts center, 3331 Arts Chiyoda, much like the IID Setagaya Craft School, accepts applications from art-related firms and individual studios to set up shop here. There are also numerous retail spaces and large exhibition areas. But the biggest difference from the Setagaya Craft School is its stronger focus on community interaction. It provides accommodation for both domestic and international artists to create work and regularly organizes exchange events, making 3331 more like an arts village. “We want everyone who comes into this space to feel naturally drawn to art. In fact, local residents really do visit often. The public space at our first-floor entrance is frequently used by moms with their kids, and next to that there's a play area designed by artists for us. Office workers come here to browse independent publications, so in a very organic way, artistic creation and local life are connected,” explained Tomoko Takahashi, Coordinator and PR Manager of 3331 Arts Chiyoda.

And in order to invigorate community interactions, 3331 not only opens up its space but also designs exhibitions and lecture courses full of intentions to leave cultural legacies for the community and revive local heritage. Art is certainly a major focus, but courses exploring traditional landscapes, heritage crafts, and customs give 3331 a more regional character compared to other art spaces.

The exterior of 3331 still retains the look of a school. Upon entering, you’ll find a public space and retail center, with the Food Lab 3331 café to the right and exhibition spaces at the back. The first-floor exhibition area was originally the cafeteria, so it has a spacious layout, though the original appearance is no longer visible. Perhaps inspired by the imagery of a “school,” 3331’s exhibitions often leverage multimedia advantages to explore the theme of “communication.” For example, during our interview, which coincided with the second anniversary of the East Japan Earthquake, the special exhibition “Face to Face with Reconstruction Leaders in Tohoku” on the first floor featured dozens of large LCD screens. When you sit down in front of these screens and put on headphones, leaders from various fields involved in post-disaster reconstruction begin sharing their experiences and challenges. The school, as a confined space, possesses communicative qualities. This kind of exhibition expands the use of the space from simple teaching to real-life experience and interaction, redefining and expanding the function of the space.

Art is not confined to the exhibition halls either: the giant dragon woven from colorful fabrics in the café, the small graffiti found on the floor and glass, the artworks casually placed in the studios. From the very beginning of transforming the campus, the concept of a community art center was taken into consideration—all classrooms were installed with large transparent windows, allowing indoor settings and activities to be fully visible. This makes the creators’ work process a part of everyday performance, of course, always with the consent of the tenants before they move in. Due to this performative nature, creators and artisans in residence occasionally offer hands-on workshops, opening up another layer of exchange.

 

3331 still retains some remnants of the school, such as terrazzo sinks, inscriptions on mirrors, and the gymnasium. The rooftop basketball court has been converted into an urban farm, and a series of courses on organic farming are offered. 3331 is more like a community cultural center where you can naturally engage with art, sign up for classes you enjoy, or stop by for a coffee in the afternoon. Becoming naturally integrated into a place is, even for travelers, a rare luxury.

 

[Info]

Address: 6-11-14 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Hours: The entire facility is open from 10:00 to 21:00, last entry at 20:30, open year-round except national holidays. The first-floor exhibition space is open from 12:00 to 19:00, last entry at 18:30, closed every Tuesday. The café is open from 11:30 to 21:00, closed every Tuesday.

Admission: Free. Exhibition fees vary depending on the organizer and content.

Website: www.3331.jp

Notes: Some areas are off-limits to visitors, such as the rooftop farm. Please check the official website for details.