Tama Art University

The International Exchange Office opened its doors in 2004, building on the already impressive record accumulated by the University in the field of international exchange. Its mission is to enhance the quality of the University's international exchange programs by fostering greater interaction with overseas institutions, providing personalized support to international students, and disseminating a wide array of information on international exchange activities.

The International Exchange Lounge is where Japanese students wishing to study abroad can find the information they need, and where Japanese and international students get together to become better acquainted. English-, Chinese-, and Korean-language newspapers are available, along with guides to studying abroad. In addition, language lessons are provided by students from China and Korea on a volunteer basis.

• Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (China)
• Hong-Ik University (Republic of Korea)
• Dong-A University (Republic of Korea)
• University of Art and Design Helsinki (Finland)
• Silpakorn University (Thailand)
• Central Academy of Fine Arts (China)
• Art Center College of Design (USA)

The University runs student exchange programs with two partner institutions, Hong-Ik University in the Republic of Korea and University of Art and Design Helsinki in Finland. Exchange programs last for six months, with TAU sending two students abroad and admitting two students in return. TAU students sent overseas on the exchange program experience the stimulus of another culture, which experience is then reflected in their artistic work. Students from the partner institutions for their part stimulate their Japanese counterparts as they study alongside them in the classroom, meanwhile enjoying their support in overcoming the language barrier.

TAU has for many years maintained ties with Thailand's Silpakorn University, another partner institution, in the field of printmaking. In an effort to enhance ties in the field of not just printmaking but painting as well, the TAU Department of Painting (Japanese painting, oil painting, and printmaking) took part in a joint exhibition and workshop at the Silpakorn University Art Gallery in the fall of 2006. Trends in Thai painting (both modern and traditional) were examined, and differences in approaches to and techniques of painting from those practiced at Tama Art University (whether Japanese painting, oil painting, or printmaking) were identified. Both sides learned much from the experience, gaining a clearer picture of the evolution and present state of painting in Asia.

In 2006, TAU launched the Pacific Rim project in partnership with the Art Center College of Design, with which it has maintained close ties for some twenty-five years now: the two institutions conducted their first summer student exchange program back in 1981. The Pacific Rim project, a joint research project conducted by students in the field of design, focuses on issues of global concern like environmental conservation and natural disasters. Amidst differences of culture, customs, language, and values, participants pursue research, engage in debate, and conduct design work; in the process they come up with shared concepts and formulate ideas on what they can do as designers to make a difference. The results are unveiled at research presentations and disseminated across the globe via the Internet. Ten students in the fields of graphic design, product design, textile design, environmental design, and information design take part from each university, completing a single research project during each three-month stint, or “stage,” in Japan or the United States. An enriched curriculum is specially developed by each of the two universities for the period when it plays host. Besides special lectures on the project topic and the opportunity to take part in related classes at the host university, the Pacific Rim Project has another distinctive feature: a set of unique programs designed to enable participants to learn about the culture and technology of the other country. These include language support courses and field trips organized with the cooperation of government and the private sector. Faculty members from the other institution also pay frequent visits to the host country while the exchange program is on, further fostering interaction between the two sides.
During the Pacific Rim Project's first year, 2006-07, both the America and Japan stages of the project were implemented, but beginning in 2007-08 there will be only one stage per year, so that the program will shift between the two universities in a two-year cycle. It has already been decided that the project will continue until 2010.

Topic: Responding to natural disasters
The topic for 2006-07 was how the power of design can make a difference in the event of a natural disaster. Participants came up with designs that would be of use in an earthquake. As case studies they used the Los Angeles earthquake and the Hanshin earthquake, thus enhancing their understanding of the other country. At the Japan stage the basic concept formulated was that of “re-evaluation,” which means reassessing the functional possibilities of existing entities and developing new methods of utilizing them should disaster strike. Several sub-topics were also formulated: “RE-CONVENCE Model City,” “RE-TRACE Life Cycle,” “RE-THINK Experience,” “RE-CONNECT Awareness,” and “RE-CREATE Object.” Group research was conducted on each of these sub-topics, engendering some groundbreaking ideas that go beyond conventional thinking.

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