Study on the Status of Closed Schools in the Region of Tokamachi: For an Evaluation of Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennal’s Contribution

摘要

The overall reuse survey of closed elementary schools inthe area revealed that, 85% of all withstanding establishmentsare being repuposed, and the ETAT is tending to almost halfof them, leaving a vacancy rate of only 15% in the area. Thesefigure imply that since 2009 there seems to be an automatismin place, such that as soon as an additional school closes down,questions and discussions are being held on how can the festivalbe of help to repurpose the vacant spaces. However further studyshould be done to effictively asses the repurposing of the festivalas its format as triennal does mean activities are peaking onlyevery 3 years and implying that occupation is not permanent, notis it assured to be continuously re-occupied.