Youkobo Art Space manages an Artist-In-Residence Program (AIR) providing accommodation and studio space to artists for a set period of time, and a non-profit gallery for the presentation of new work in exhibitions, while also promoting community engagement through art and culture. As a ‘studio (‘kobo’) for ‘you’ (‘you’ in Youkobo meaning ‘play’ in Japanese), Youkobo aims to create a space which gives many people the opportunity to experience art and culture on a more familiar level by supporting the autonomous activities of artists.
The building is carrying out its non-profit activities in the Suginami,Tokyo was, until the 1970s, a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients. In 2001, the facility housing two art studios, a gallery space, three long-term residency spaces, and a community lounge and office was reformed and re-opened as ‘Youkobo Art Space’, a place providing opportunities for motivated domestic and overseas artists to create and exhibit new work, and for dialogue and exchange through art.