The large-scale joint research and development project with the Tokyo University of the Arts, etc. (JST Industry-academia Co-creation), in which we have participated since last year, has been adopted for the development phase. Until now, Professor Naoki Kondo has been involved as an R&D collaborator, but from April 2023, Kondo will be in charge of the Evidence Building Section (R&D Subject 5). With the Tokyo University of the Arts at the core, 37 organizations, including art, welfare and medical care, technology, and other specialized institutions, companies, and local governments, will bring together their knowledge and skills to solve social issues and develop “cultural prescribing” to be implemented in communities, aiming to co-create a society for population well-being.
The project will promote “cultural prescribing,” an approach to community development through the promotion of interaction using art, while also applying a variety of digital media. For more information, please see the following link.
Here is a description of the “cultural prescribing” from the press release.
The “cultural prescribing” unique to this center is inspired by “social prescribing.”The latter is an approach that does not prescribe medicine to individual patients but instead seeks to improve health and well-being in the community and society as a whole through the use of human connections and local resources.”Cultural prescribing” is a type of “social prescribing” that utilizes culture and the arts. This center combines art activities with medical care, welfare, and technology, considering the various issues individuals face, social relationships, and the characteristics of community cultural and artistic resources and places. “Cultural prescribing” is a method, approach, or system that allows people in diverse situations to connect loosely with each other, to find a place where they can be themselves, create a unique experience, have fun and be moved, free their minds, and create comfortable communication naturally.
Cultural Prescribing is expected to positively affect individuals in terms of sustained well-being, including increased motivation to be active and a greater sense of well-being, as well as improved health. For the community, it is expected to create a more tolerant and inclusive environment and system.