We will hold a forum under the theme “Disability and Art” to discuss the evolving “disability arts” sector, and create the opportunity for diverse stakeholders to share information and think about developments going forward.
The forum will look at:
(1) Fostering the talents of artists with disabilities
(2) Development of diverse forms of expression in disability arts and the mechanism to support it
(3) Disability arts as community art designed to meet social challenges
(4) Expanding participation in and access to arts and culture
(5) Key concepts like disability arts and social business
We will also discuss the possibilities surrounding “disability” in wider society, with a view to encouraging the participation of not just stakeholders in the arts and culture sector, but also NPOs and citizens interested in taking diversity on board in such areas as welfare, town planning, multilingualism/multiculturalism and gender difference. We hope the network generated through this forum sparks further arts and culture-related activities that are practical in a real sense, and able to tackle solutions to the various social challenges.
ABLE ART JAPAN
Formed in 1994 with the aim of creating a better society in which people connect emotionally with each other through the medium of art, no matter whether they have a disability or not and what sort of disability that might be, and in which people respect each other’s differences. The organization presents the “able art” movement from the citizen’s point of view, promoting a movement that raises the value of art in society and rediscovers human potential through the power of art. Able Art Japan works on a wide range of projects, from social business to reconstruction efforts. It focuses on generating inclusive opportunities for everyone to express themselves through creative activities, developing an environment that makes arts and culture freely accessible, reforming society’s perceptions of people with disabilities, and creating a new artistic viewpoint and value system.
Yumiko Shibazaki
Secretary General
ABLE ART JAPAN
Arts Chiyoda 3331 # 208, Sotokanda 6-11-14, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021
Tel：+81-(0)3-5812-4622
Fax：+81-(0)3-5812-4630
E-mail： office@ableart.org
The National Art Center, Tokyo (Minato City, Tokyo), 3331 Arts Chiyoda (Chiyoda City, Tokyo)
