The small hot-spring resort of Kinosaki beside the Sea of Japan in northern Hyogo Prefecture is as picturesque as it is peacefully genteel. However, with April's opening of the Kinosaki International Arts Center (KIAC), this rural home to fewer than 5,000 now aims to become a major performing-arts hub as well.
In pursuing that ambition, KIAC's focus has been set on sponsoring artists in residence, a rare occurrence in the performing arts and one that poses practical and conceptual problems — such as which disciplines to favor, what sort of profile to seek in Japan and beyond, and how to interact with, and involve, the surrounding community who may have yearned more for entertainment rather than artistic creation in their midst.
To cast light on such issues involved in this initiative, KIAC Program Director Yoko Nishiyama recently made time in her hectic schedule for a short interview.