Youkobo Art Community—Bringing People Together!

Christopher Blasdel
Musician,
Artistic Director, The International House of Japan, Inc.

Youkobo

I became aware of Youkobo about ten years ago, when one of the artists on the US-Japan Creative Artists Fellowship (sponsored jointly by the Japan US Friendship Commission and the NEA, with support from the Bunkacho) resided there during her Japan residency. As part of my duties to assist these artists, I visited Youkobo and got to know the Muratas.
I really liked the location and Youkobo’s quality studio/exhibition space, but most impressive was the passion with which the Muratas brought to their work.
Artist residency programs in Japan tend to be supported by bureaucracies and, especially when public funds are used, operate along strict rules.
There is nothing wrong with this, but when one discovers a small, independent organization like Youkobo, one realizes how effective grass roots efforts can be. In the last ten years, we have sent many of our artists to Youkobo and worked with the Muratas in various presentations, and we look forward to continuing such collaborations in the future.
(2010)