Over 100 organisations and creatives from five countries will come together for Creative Well-being Tokyo 2022: International Conference on Open Access to Culture, which aims to promote social inclusion by improving accessibility and expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs), non-locals, ageing communities and young children to participate in the Arts and Cultural sectors. ARTDIS (Singapore) Ltd is proud to be part of the organising committee for the International Conference of this event, invited by Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture to share best practices in the areas of arts and disability.

Happening from 28 June–7 July 2022, Creative Well-being Tokyo consists of an international conference, an exhibition showcase, a workshop camp and networking sessions to help like-minded individuals share knowledge and skills on how to embrace greater diversity in society.

“All around the world, many countries wrestle with issues such as aging population, marginalised communities and social cohesion. These were made all the more acute with COVID-19 and highlighted the disparity between those who have access to resources/opportunities and those who do not,” said Ms Maureen Goh, Executive Director of ART:DIS. “With the pandemic stabilised and important lessons learnt, this is a timely opportunity to discuss what we can do better for our communities. Through the insights we share and understand from our international counterparts at Creative Well-being Tokyo, ART:DIS hopes to foster a more inclusive world where all manner of abilities are valued.”

International conference (2–4 July 2022) at Tokyo National Museum (Auditorium, Heiseikan)

Across five key themes (well-being, diversity, inclusive design, accessibility, and building connections & places of belonging), policymakers, researchers, practitioners and creatives will raise common issues and challenges pertaining to the arts and culture ecosystem. Kicking the conference off are three keynote lectures by Ms Justine Simons OBE (Deputy Mayor, Culture and Creative Industries, United Kingdom), Mr Yutaka Osugi (Professor, Tsukuba University of Technology, Japan) and Mr Takaya Matsuda (CEO, HERBALBONY Co. Ltd, Japan), which will then be followed by five plenary sessions.

Mr Peter Sau (Head of Artistic Development, Performing Arts, ART:DIS, Singapore) will be delivering the first plenary session Well-being through Arts and Culture with Ms Yukiko Uchida (Professor, Kyoto University Institute for the Future of Human Society, Japan). Participating as well is Ms Alicia Teng (Assistant Director, Community and Access, National Gallery Singapore), who will be speaking with two other eminent experts from Japan and Taiwan on the topic of Social Inclusion and Cultural Institutions: Three Cases in Asia.

Live-streamed online for global audiences, with English-Japanese translation and vice versa, Japanese sign language interpretation and text-based support (UD Talk), visit https://creativewell.rekibun.or.jp/en/conference/international-conference/ for more information.

Exhibition showcase (3–7 July 2022) at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Citizen’s Gallery 1)

Examples of how the arts and culture provide avenues for social inclusion will be showcased at this exhibition, such as an avatar robot that creates employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and a project that addresses social disparity in Indonesia. Through work-in-progress sketches and completed paintings and ceramic sculptures from artists with disabilities, ART:DIS will further demonstrate how the creative process is therapeutic for PWDs and how art seeds opportunities for PWDs to be part of society.

A close ally of ART:DIS, Dr Dawn-joy Leong, will also be exhibiting her installation work Clement Space at this showcase. Based off her research in autistic sensory idiosyncrasy and the environment, as well as the global trend towards offering of Quiet/Calm Rooms in public spaces, Dr Leong’s immersive installation illustrates how universal design benefits everyone and anyone in society, regardless of abilities.

Workshop Camp (28 June–2 July 2022) at LIFULL Fab

Utilising approaches from inclusive design, members of the public will collaborate to collectively develop new ways and prototypes for PWDs to enjoy music. Led by three specialists within the field – Mr Kanebako Jun’ichi (Associate Professor, Kobe Design University, Japan), Mr Nakanishi Yoshihito (Board Director & Sound Designer, A-KAK Co Ltd, Japan) and Andreas Siagian (Artist & Engineer) – participants will ideate, experiment and co-create musical instruments that will be on display at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

Networking sessions (3–7 July 2022) at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Citizen’s Gallery 2)

Through small booth presentations and group meetings, cultural institutions, healthcare/welfare organisations, non-profits and creatives can openly participate in discussions about the state of diversity and inclusion in society.

Offered as well to participants would be an Inclusive Theatre Making workshop. Conducted by Mr Peter Sau from ART:DIS, he will guide the disabled and non-disabled into a safe space of co-creation and artistic ownership, with a specific focus on sensory curiosity and quality of experiences.

Download the press release here