| FEATURE ARTICLES | The history of the land and the town plaza The SAPPORO COMMUNITY PLAZA is a multi-complex comprised of three facilities, Sapporo Cultural Arts Theater hitaru，Sapporo Cultural Arts Community Center SCARTS，and the Sapporo Municipal Library and Information Center.
The main facility, Sapporo Cultural Arts Theater hitaru occupies the third to the ninth floor of the nine-story building. It is the first theater with multiple stages in Hokkaido which can change large scene sets, allowing grand operas and ballets, large-scale musicals, etc. with many different acts to be performed in Sapporo, which had been difficult up to now.
Sapporo Cultural Arts Theater hitaru has approx. 2,300 seats （Courtesy of the Sapporo Arts Foundation）
Sapporo Cultural Arts Community Center SCARTS is on the first and second floors, underneath the theater. The facility offers rental spaces for exhibitions and concerts and supports the creative activities of the residents by organizing original projects.
The information corner on the second floor of SCARTS displays pamphlets of cultural and artistic activities carried out in Sapporo. It conveniently includes a ticket center where tickets are available on the spot. The neighboring information center helps coordinate artists.
Information counter
Another facility on the first and second floors is the Sapporo Municipal Library and Information Center.
Although publications cannot be checked out, the center is a problem-based library aimed at research, support, and information provision, and features a consultation desk regarding business start-ups, new business projects, etc.
Up to now, people would visit a public hall only when they wanted to see or go to a concert or drama. But the COMMUNITY PLAZA is different. It is a multifunctional place where people can visit for various purposes, such as to enjoy a play, create a performance, learn, and seek advice.
Mr. Ishii Masaharu, director of the community plaza, describes the role of the facility as a town square.
“The preamble of the Act on the Promotion of Theaters and Concert Halls enacted in 2012 states that ‘theaters, concert halls, etc. are also expected to support community development by creating and renewing communities as new town squares, by gaining the compassion and participation of the public.’ The facility can be the base of developing multilayered communities by helping people meet and connect through culture and art.”
Director Ishii Masaharu
This facility is also expected to function in another way. On September 6 last year, one month before opening, a large earthquake struck Hokkaido. The facility received 550 foreign tourists and residents as an emergency evacuation center.
“Although preparations for the opening were underway, the mayor decided to open it for people who had nowhere to go. We brought the tourists here. Equipped with a 72-hour emergency power source and a cogeneration system to generate electricity even during a blackout, the facility can be used as an evacuation center.”
During the night, the theater foyer, with its carpeted floor, was opened and blankets were provided.
The evacuation scene
Creating and enjoying culture and art are defined as “natural human rights” in the law. The national and local governments have the duties to formulate and carry out policies regarding culture and art. (Basic Act on Culture and the Arts)
Cultural and artistic activities are often considered as refined hobbies for some or superfluous activities which are not directly related to daily living. However, such activities may be the very key to creating a town that is comfortable to live in.
SAPPORO COMMUNITY PLAZA 
Kita 1 Nishi 1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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