Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture) is hosting each year a forum to discuss the current and important themes in the field of arts & culture.

In 2023, we are regaining our “everyday lives” after the pandemic that shook the world. As a result, large-scale festivals such as biennials are activity resuming around the world, and their significance and messages are attracting even more attention. In addition, the creative sector has been required to shift its focus in recent years, with a greater awareness of diversity and sustainability, the on-site environment, and the nature of labor that supports arts & culture.

Once again, what is the significance of people collaborating in creative activities? Furthermore, why do we strive to connect with the world through culture?

How can and should creative activities be continued in the face of the shift change? Cultural workers are still grappling with the meaning of their activities and the way their production sites should operate. In this event we focus on “international festivals” held in cities and invite guests from the forefront of these festivals to discuss this topic. We also aim to provide an opportunity for guests and participants to connect this discussion to their own future activities.

Outline
Date & Time: 2:00-5:00 PM (Japan Time), Sunday, December 17, 2023
(Part: 1 Presentation / Part 2: Discussion / Part 3: Networking)
Venue: YAU STUDIO (7F, 3-1-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Language: Simultaneous Japanese-English interpretation provided
Admission Fee: Free *Advance registration required / First come, first served basis up to 100 persons
Speakers: (in no particular order)
Sook-Kyung Lee (Director of the Whitworth, The University of Manchester, Curator of Japan Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale)
Yusuke Hashimoto (Head Dramaturg of the Berliner Festspiele)
Taro Igarashi (Architectural Historian and Critic) *moderator
Registration: Please register online through the website

*Please note that program contents may be subject to change

Full press release (PDF) is available here.

Please see here for the detail of this program.