Tama Art University, Kaminoge Campus

Freedom is a matter of the greatest significance, not least because without it there can be no art. Since its inception, Tama Art University has been dedicated to the pursuit of both freedom and art.

However, the concept of freedom incorporated in the university’s ideology is not a gift, but an obligation. Without exercising strong personal will, freedom is reduced to nothing more than a means to an end. Will creates freedom, and freedom fosters will. This dialectic forms a strong current underlying the activities of Tama Art University

Today the tides of globalization are sweeping the world, while at the same time simmering resentments are giving rise to attitudes of ethnic and religious intolerance. The information society around us is undergoing dramatic transformations, with new technologies such as AI (artificial intelligence) rapidly emerging. Of course, art is by no means untouched by these seismic shifts in the environment. At Tama Art University we pride ourselves on having stood at the forefront of the latest developments in art throughout our more than 80-year history, but as the pace of change accelerates in today’s society, we are now strengthening our will to continue taking on new challenges, and renewing our determination to fulfill a mission unique to this university.

In the past, universities were often criticized as ivory towers, where a select few pursued learning for learning’s sake, or art for art’s sake, far removed from social realities and producing no tangible benefits for the wider world. However, I do not seek to downplay the important role these so-called ivory towers have played. For a university, to positively fulfill its mission in society does not necessarily mean pandering to the dominant forces or jumping on the latest bandwagon. It does, however, require adopting a critical stance at times, and maintaining an independent spirit, capable of discerning core values that ought to be preserved over the years no matter how things change.

At the same time, it is crucial to have the flexibility to engage with a society that is not only evolving but also diversifying, and the breadth of vision to take on a variety of challenges. At Tama Art University, we are pursuing educational programs that cultivate the versatility to deal appropriately with a wide range of situations, in the form of PBL (Project-Based Learning) that transcends the boundaries of specialized academic disciplines.

Tama Art University is a close-knit community of individuals who each strive towards their own path in art and design. Our motto has been “Freedom and Will”—this will surely inspire youth to share the same ambition, encourage active research and creative endeavors, and will offer support to those who embark on their careers in society. We have the highest expectations for the enthusiastic and dedicated young people who are currently seeking entrance to this university, their eyes firmly fixed on the future.

To meet the needs of an ever-changing era, Tama Art University has implemented educational reforms based on deliberations from a wide range of perspectives, and these reforms will be carried on in various forms moving forward. We have been working for many years to enrich the educational environment we offer, and now the long-term, large-scale redevelopment of our Hachioji Campus is nearly complete and we are preparing to embark on construction of new facilities at the Kaminoge Campus. At Tama Art University, we aim to fuse specialization with versatility and maintain a position as an unparalleled provider of university education steeped in creativity.