HISTORY

1993	Mar. Meirin Elementary School was closed *However after that it was used by Takakura-nishi Elementary School until March 1995. *Here is the history of Meirin Elementary school.
1995	May. Former Meirin Elementary School was used as one of the venues of “Art Festival:Kyo” until 1998. *This was an experimental approach as to find out whether the school was suitable for the artistic activities, and whether local residents would agree with the idea of converting a school to an art center.
1996	Jun. The City of Kyoto formed the “Kyoto City Promotion Plan for Arts and Culture” (In which Kyoto Art Center was positioned as the core for the promotion of art and culture)
1997	Feb. “Deliberation Council for Reusing Decommissioned Elementary Schools in Downtown Kyoto” was held. (The council approved of using former Mierin Elementary School as the art center.) Oct. Experimental program “Art Action Kyoto” was held at the former Mierin Elementary School until Dec. 15, 1998. *This program is to provide some artists a studio space and at the same time encourage the community residents to agree with the idea of converting the elementary school to an art center. The result of this program was reported to the “Deliberation Committee for Art Center”.
1998	Oct. Deliberation Committee for Art Center submitted their report to the city. Nov. Construction plan for the art center was formulated.
1999	Jan. The construction started.
2000	Jan. The construction completed. Mar. Opening event was held. Apr. The center started operating.
2008	Jul. The building was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property by the national government.
2010	Jan. to May The 10th anniversary event “Further Ahead” was held.

About the former Meilin Elementary School

Meirin Elementary School was established in 1869 as the third Bangumi elementary school in Shimogyo Ward. Its 124 years history as an elementary school ended in 1993.

This school was named Meirin because Meirin-sha, a training hall of moral philosophy called Sekimon-shingaku was used as a school building.
The main gate of the building used to face Nishiki-koji Street at Uradeyama-cho. However, a land lot at Yamabushi-cho was purchased in 1875 and its main gate was relocated on Muromachi Street side. Later additional land lot at Tearaimizu-cho was purchased, and the current school compound was created then.

Today, the original building is not there anymore. However, the remnant of the old gate is seen on Nishiki-koji Street side. The school district prospered because of clothes wholesale business. Painters and pot makers used to live there. Since the community residents were interested in culture and education, they supported Meirin Elementary School because of their warm sympathy towards the children. Many artworks created by artists such as Taizo Minagawa, Ohkoku Konoshima, and Keigetu Kikuchi were donated by the artists themselves, the graduates of this school and the local people. At present, these art works are stored at Kyoto City School History Museum.

The school building seen today was thoroughly renovated in 1931. At that time, steel frame was a cutting edge technology and this technology was used for the renovation. Its design was created by the Building Repair Section of Kyoto City. The reddish cream color of its outer walls, the Spanish style orange color of the roof tiles and the green gutters gives a warm atmosphere to the building. Since many Yamaboko-cho communities of Gion Festival are located in this school district, the design of the front portion of the building is believed to have been influenced by Yamaboko floats.

Some of the characteristics of this building are: the elegant auditorium, the 78 tatami mats wide grand chamber with coffered ceiling and the Japanese room on the roof top. Also the banisters, ornaments on the outer walls and the circle windows are must-see spots. North annex has a slope at the entrance which is convenient for bringing in and out parcels and for evacuation.
Renovation of the building of Kyoto Art Center was done while maintaining its appearance as far as possible.

The auditorium, grand chamber, Japanese room “Meirin” and class rooms are open to public only when some events are held there. However, only visiting the library, tea corner or the corridors will let you feel the atmosphere of this building.
Meirin Elementary School has been cherished by the local residents for a long time and is still attracting many people as a place for study, creative activities and relaxation.

Photo Gallery