Diversity & Inclusion
We promote Diversity and Inclusion in the museum fields, so anyone can enjoy art and cultural activities. In this intention, we conduct research focused on art activities related to people’s health and wellbeing, also offer proposals to improve accessibility standards at museum.
News
Art-based Communication Platform for Co-creation to Build a Convivial Society
This project is aimed at promoting communication through art and building an inclusive society in which everyone can be themselves, in cooperation with the welfare, medical, and technology sectors. Through co-creation with universities, companies, and organizations, the National Museums of Art is planning and developing “cultural prescriptions” to address social isolation and will implement them in locations nationwide. This initiative has been selected as a JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency)-supported program for formation of co-creation platforms for the years 2023-2032.
Creative Forum
Interest in the connection between health and wellbeing and art and cultural activities is growing around the world. We organize a series of Creative Forums, designed as spaces for co-creation where initiatives from Japan and abroad are shared and discussed.
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[Video] NCAR Creative Forum "Art, Health & Wellbeing Enhancing Wellbeing with Museums: Case Studies From the UK"
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[NCAR Creative Forum Report 3] Participation Report on the Dig Deep! Session Held on October 9th
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[NCAR Creative Forum Event Report 2] Health and Wellbeing Initiatives Undertaken by Museums in the UK
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【NCAR Creative Forum Report 1】 "NCAR Creative Forum Art, Health & Wellbeing Enhancing Wellbeing with Museums: Case Studies From the UK"
Art & Wellbeing “aa-tomo”
Art & Wellbeing “aa-tomo” (hereafter aa-tomo) is a joint project being developed by the National Center for Art Research and Tokyo University of the Arts, focused on the theme of art and wellbeing . In collaboration with local governments, the project aims to advance practical initiatives in the field of cultural prescribing, a movement to improve mental and physical health through art and cultural resources, by making use of museums and other cultural hubs.
DEAI Research Working Group
We conduct research to promote the concept of DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion), which has become a global paradigm, in the context of museums. This work is carried out in collaboration with museum professionals and experts in the fields of disability and welfare.
Case Studies on Reasonable Accommodation
As part of the first-year activities of "DEAI Research Lab", established in August 2023, we conducted a nationwide survey of cases of reasonable accommodation in museums. Drawing on these cases and through ongoing discussion and review, we published the booklet "The Handbook of Reasonable Accommodation, Learning from the cases in the Museum".
FY2023 Lab Members
- Ito Shunsuke (Visiting Research Fellow of Learning, National Center for Art Research)
- Kamei Sachiko (Former educator at The Tokushima Modern Art Museum)
- Shibasaki Yumiko (Representative of NPO Able Art Japan)
- Suzuki Chikako(Curator of Learning, National Center for Art Research)
- Takao Hiromi (Former Cultural diversity coordinator at Tamarokuto Science Center)
- Takahashi Rika (Secretary of NPO Able Art Japan “Minna de Museum”)
- Nakano Uta (Assistant Researcher of Learning, National Center for Art Research)
Translations of Reports on Overseas Initiatives
As part of our efforts to translate reports on initiatives overseas related to museums and DEAI, we published the Japanese edition of "Facing Change: Insights from the American Alliance of Museums’ Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Working Group" in September 2024.The report summarizes the outcomes of dialogues and discussions by the American Alliance of Museums’ working group on Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI), and presents key perspectives for incorporating DEAI into the core of museum practice.
Contributors
- Author:
- American Alliance of Museums
- Planning / Editing:
- Suzuki Chikako, Ito Shunsuke
- Translating Proofreading:
- Chunni Chiu
- Design:
- Tarumi Seiji
Development of Training Tools
In conducting research toward developing guidelines on social inclusion and accessibility for museum management, the members of "DEAI Research Lab 2025" developed a training tool titled the "Museum Accessibility Map". The tool was designed to visualize the ideas and discussions generated by museum professionals. It also aims to help participants identify, organize, and develop ideas for addressing the diverse needs and challenges people may encounter when accessing museums. The tool was tested in training sessions held at museums across Japan.
FY2025 Lab Members
- Ito Shunsuke (Visiting Research Fellow of Learning, NCAR)
- Inaniwa Sawako (Senior Curator, NCAR)
- Ibe Reiko (NOMURA Co.,Ltd.)
- Umeda Ayumi (NPO Able Art Japan “Minna de Museum”, Educator)
- Satomi Okazaki (Yokohama Civic Art Gallery Azamino)
- Kamei Sachiko (Former educator at The Tokushima Modern Art Museum)
- Sakai Atsuko (National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo)
- Satake Wakako (NOMURA Co.,Ltd.)
- Shibasaki Yumiko (Representative of NPO Able Art Japan)
- Suzuki Chikako (Curator of Learning, NCAR)
- Matsumoto Mari (NOMURA Co.,Ltd.)
- Yamamoto Testuya (Kokugakuin University)
- Yonemitsu Kana(Assistant Researcher of Learning, National Center for Art Research)
- Production and Project Support:
- Hayashi Akane
Publications
View the list of NCAR publications on Diversity & Inclusion.
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A Cultural Prescribing Guide for Teens
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First Step in Cultural Prescribing
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Facing Change: Understanding the AAM Working Group on DEAI (Japanese Edition)
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The Handbook of Reasonable Accommodation, Learning from the cases in the Museum
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Creative Health: The Arts for Health and Well‑being (Summary Edition) [Japanese Edition]
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Creative Thinking in Museums: Arts‑Based Activities that Support Mental Well‑being (Japanese Edition)
