Social Grant is a program that supports artistic activities in which people from various social environments can participate together and demonstrate their creativity while respecting each other's individuality, and activities that address various social issues by utilizing the characteristics of art and culture and the abilities of artists. On February 21, 2022, an online debriefing session was held to examine the significance and effects of the grants and to share the results and future challenges.
In the activity report of the first part of the event, "NPO Everyone's Dance Field" talked about the possibility of co-creation and the challenge of facilitation to elicit free expression. In the following presentation, "NPO Tokyo Soteria" introduced its activities to promote understanding of people with mental disabilities through theatrical activities with an Italian theater company.
In the second part, performers from "Everyone's Dance Field" and "Tokyo Soteria" reappear and report on the second round table which was held in a relaxed atmosphere with the participants.
> Part 1: Continuing Online Activities in the COVID-19 Pandemic (Part 1): Everyone's Dance Field
> Part 1: Continuing Online Activities in the COVID-19 Pandemic (Part 2): Tokyo Soteria
Is there anything else you need help with besides money?
After the presentations of the two groups were completed, the second round table, which included the participants, began. The facilitator, Ms. Tomoki Ogawa, asked, "Of course, there are grants, but are there other things besides money that you wish there was such support?."
In response, several people said, "I would be happy to consult with you when I am in trouble about business matters." The activities of the organizations applying for this grant include many cross-disciplinary collaborations. As a result, from the perspective of the welfare sector, for example, there are things that people do not understand about the customs and production methods of the art sector, or they do not have many personal connections. There were opinions such as and "In terms of public relations, I would like to receive wisdom to inform people in the art field." When consulting with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Board of Education, the Council of Social Welfare, and even those in charge may be different, so there were requests for information and contact points to be organized.
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In addition, an organization that conducts theatrical workshops and performances suggested, "We are not studying welfare professionally, but there are some difficult aspects in the workshop where we have to touch on issues and taboos that the participants have from their own experiences. There may be more things we can do if we exchange beyond groups and share our concerns."
On the other hand, money is a big concern. In particular, there was a request to improve the system in which subsidies are granted after events or other subsidized projects are held, and to grant subsidies before projects are implemented. (* 1) "If you spend a lot of money at one event, the balance will be fine, but over the course of a year, it would be great if you had the flexibility to change things, such as what you want to do a month later and what you want to do a half year later." and "It was approved for a three-year project, but we have enough funds because we are developing a small project due to the coronavirus pandemic, but if we want to do a large-scale project in the third year, we are worried that the budget might be tight until the time when the grant comes in." (* 2). There is a compelling reason behind this: "I don't want to end up as a blip hitting a big event just once. Changes and new things cannot be created unless we accumulate small things, and we cannot face constantly changing social issues." Problems with the timing of payments and requests for subsidies for daily activities have been heard in many places. We wonder if it would be possible to create a system that works best for each organization, rather than a uniform distribution system.
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*1 In "Social Grant", the amount of the subsidy is determined after the project is implemented after the performance report documents and related payment documents are reviewed. However, it is possible to receive partial advance payment of the subsidy under prescribed conditions and procedures. (As of June 4, Reiwa)
*2 In order to actively support activities with a long-term perspective, the Social Grant has established a policy of giving priority to support projects that can be expected for up to three years for a maximum of three years with a two-year or three-year plan, including the application project Reiwa
The person in charge of Arts Council Tokyo replied, "We are also in a position to worry together, and I think that by sharing the knowledge gained from receiving consultations from everyone else and "connecting" them, we can support them to move forward together towards the goals of the activities they are working on."
"There is an advance payment system called estimated payment for the subsidy, but there are various conditions and procedures to use it. While adhering to these rules, I would like to be able to support your activities as much as possible." he continued.
Mr. Ogawa sympathized with both positions, saying, "There are a variety of needs, such as consultation on problems and internal affairs, local networks, and the search for experts in distribution, production, public relations, props, music, etc., and I understand that it would be nice if Arts Council Tokyo could consult with them about such things Arts Council Tokyo. If unpredictable projects are supported in the form of subsidies other than subsidies, each organization may not change the main body, and a separate consultation desk may be needed within the Arts Council Tokyo.
First of all, the open hearing seems to have reassured some groups that had been unsure whether to talk about the situation. It is hoped that this conference will help expand networks that transcend the fields of welfare and the arts.
In addition, Social Grant has an open call twice a year, and the first public offering for the first period of FY Reiwa 4 has been closed, but the second period of public offering is scheduled to be announced on the web page around July 2022. (The implementation period of the subsidized projects is from January 1 to December 31, 2023) Please check it out.
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(Reporting and writing by Yuri Shirasaka)