Art, Health & Wellbeing—Enhancing Wellbeing with Museums

The National Center for Art Research (NCAR) (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Director Kataoka Mami) is dedicated to promoting artistic and cultural activities with a positive impact on health and wellbeing. In collaboration with the Tokyo University of the Arts (a national university corporation) and the British Council Japan, NCAR is organising the National Center for Art Research Creative Forum Vol. 1: “Art, Health & Wellbeing—Enhancing Wellbeing with Museums: Case Studies From the UK.” At this event, attendees can hear stories about art and wellbeing, with the goal being to “watch, listen, and think” and create “a forum for collaboration and co-creation.” It will take place in a hybrid format, in person at The National Art Center, Tokyo, as well as livestreamed online, on Sunday, October 8. The forum will feature experts from the UK, which has been at the forefront of innovative initiatives in this field, introducing health and welfare programs carried out by cultural institutions, including museums. This event aims to foster discussions about upcoming activities to enhance wellbeing and envision new prospects for the future.

Message from Director Kataoka Mami
During the years of the pandemic, the focus on wellbeing—the health of the body, mind and society—was heightened and the power of art was challenged. While there were more opportunities to experience art online, there was also a real sense of excitement in encountering artworks in real life at museums. What does it mean to “live well” with art? Let’s think about it together at the museum.

Outline
Date and time: Sunday, October 8, 2023, 10am–5pm (registration desk opens at 9:30am)
Organisers: National Center for Art Research and Tokyo University of the Arts
Co-organisers: British Council Japan

*This forum is supported by the Program on Open Innovation Platforms for Industry-Academia Co-creation (COI-NEXT) of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). We are also engaged in developing digital viewing systems and conducting research on case studies in Japan and overseas to achieve an inclusive society where no one is left behind.

In-person
Participation fee: free
Registration: visit the website
Location: 3rd Floor Auditorium, The National Art Center, Tokyo (7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku)
Capacity: 100
Registration deadline: Monday, September 4

Online
Capacity: 500 participants
Registration deadline: Friday, September 29

Programme (Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation, Japanese sign language interpretation, and Japanese live transcription support will be available)

Opening remarks
MC: Ichijo Akiko (National Center for Art Research)
Kataoka Mami (Director, National Center for Art Research)
Hibino Katsuhiko (President, Tokyo University of the Arts)
Matthew Knowles (Director, British Council Japan)

Introduction　
Inaniwa Sawako (National Center for Art Research)

Inspiration talk 1
Esme Ward (Manchester Museum) *Speech will be delivered by video
Ruth Edson (Manchester Art Gallery)

Inspiration talk 2
Carol Rogers (House of Memories/ National Museums Liverpool)
Mark Miller (Tate)

Dialogue session
Facilitators: Ito Tatsuya (Tokyo University of the Arts) & Inaniwa Sawako
Jane Findlay (Dulwich Picture Gallery)
Fujioka Hayato (Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum)

Group chat and feedback　(No livestreaming)

Reflection session　

Visit the website for more details.