This year was the sixth year for our group ‘knock-knock’ to provide art programs for the children living in foster homes, including those with handicaps. The children enjoyed; visiting the Edo era culture at Edo-Tokyo Museum, visiting the ‘mummy exhibit’ and Van Gogh exhibit per their requests, listening to baroque music performances, creating museum boxes, and jotting down ‘kiroku (record) sheets.’ This program consists of personally conducting the tour, sending out invitation cards and thank you letters.
After August 2020, ‘virtual museum visits’ were conducted using museum postcards due to COVID-19. This program starts with sending postcards with our comments, kiroku sheets, and ‘art files’ to the children. Acting as facilitators, the staff at the foster homes use the postcards to demonstrate various ways to read and appreciate the artworks. It becomes an opportunity for the children to recall their previous visits to museums and maintain their relationship with art. A Total of sixty-six children (from elementary school pupils to college students) from four foster homes attended the programs.
By receiving reviews from the foster homes, we will refine our programs and continue to provide the children with windows to the world of art.