START Box Tokyo’s creative affordable workspaces

In response to high land prices and artists struggling to afford creative studios and gallery spaces, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Arts Council Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture launched START Box – an initiative to turn vacant spaces into affordable creative workspaces for local artists to rent and display their work.

The first START Box SasaHataHatsu (Sasazuka and Hatagaya) opened in April 2023 in six vacant units in a housing development on Suido Road. START Box Odaiba opened in November of the same year in a vacant space in a public housing complex.

Situating these creative workspaces in housing developments created opportunities for residents to experience art on their doorstep. For example, START Box ran regular open studio events and workshops with artists so residents could meet the artists, experience art and learn new skills. It also kept the spaces affordable for local artists.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture also provided a venue for artists to present their works at cultural events, co-hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

By the end of 2024, 45 artists were renting these affordable studios to develop and create their artwork. Sharing the START Box spaces led to collaboration, support and networking opportunities between artists.

Several artists who used the affordable creative workspaces went on to gain international recognition for their work. For example, Tomohiro Shibuki, an artist who worked at START Box, won three special awards in the International Talent Support, one of Europe’s largest fashion contests. The contest is a gateway to success for young designers, producing prominent creative designers, and the winning works are exhibited in museums abroad.