Agency for Cultural Affairs x Kyushu University Joint Research Project, "Art and Social Inclusion", Kick-off Forum

Nowadays, the link between cultural arts and social inclusion is deepening. Various people, such as children, young people, the elderly, people with disabilities, and foreigners living in Japan, are connected to society through art, and activities to find the purpose of their lives. On the other hand, there are mixed opinions on how these activities differ from existing social welfare activities. Also, how they should be evaluated and how cultural and welfare personnel can work together.

Based on this situation, Kyushu University, Tottori University, and Gunma University have begun to consider the possibility of art leading to social inclusion through joint research with the Agency for Cultural Affairs. This forum was the starting point for organizing issues related to culture and social inclusion, and to consider practical methods and policy support while referring to examples.

※program
14: 00-15: 35 Part 1
1. Lecture “Art as a mechanism to change the way the world looks and relationships” by Mia Nakamura (Kyushu University Faculty of Design)
2. Lecture “What Art Brings – Self Esteem, Connection, Opera”
by Sachiko Kawaida (Tottori University)
3. Lecture “Inclusive Art Education and Maebashi Art School Plan”
by Kazuji Mogi (Gunma University Faculty of Education)
4. Lecture “Social Inclusion from the Practice of Expression: A Case Study of Kyushu” by Yuichiro Nagatsu (Kyushu University Faculty of Design)

15: 50-17: 00 Part 2
Discussion “Future art and social inclusion”
Coordinator: Yuki Asakura (Regional Cultural Creation Division, Agency for Cultural Affairs)

17: 00-18: 00 Part 3 Exchange Meeting

* The above contents are current as of the end of January 2018. Please note that part of the program may be subjected to change depending on the circumstances of the presenter.

・ Providing real-time subtitles using the communication support and conversation visualization application “UD Talk”.