Kyoto City University of Arts

Established in 1880, Kyoto City University of Arts is the oldest university of arts in Japan. It is a public university dedicated to music and art and has become a prominent institution for learning Japanese culture.

The university boasts a rich legacy and was initially founded as Kyoto Prefectural School of Painting in the grounds of the imperial palace of Kyoto. Currently, the university offers courses in both traditional and modern fine arts ranging from ceramics to dyeing and weaving.

Kyoto City University of Arts has also been facilitating the exchange and development of international music through its various exchange programmes. It has an academic affiliation with more than 13 art and music schools throughout the world. The university is also a leading research institution in its field. It has established an Archival Research Centre to encourage and enhance artistic creations. The university has a Research Institute for Japanese Traditional Music and has formed a close association with “ninhonga” painters from western Japan.

The university has been a centre of excellence in its field and has produced several of Japan’s leading artists. Its students and graduates have been recipients of several awards and accolades including the Order of Culture. Some of the alumni of the university have even been designated as Living National Treasures of Japan. In line with its philosophy of turning the university into a genuine place for tolerance, diversity and creativity, the university has been actively promoting international exchanges as well as student enrolments.