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Capacity Building Course 2026 for Arts Professionals

The American arts community is being called to broaden its horizons and rethink its approaches in the face of a changing world. The Tokyo Arts and Culture Consultation Support Center, in collaboration with the non-profit organization ON-PAM, is launching a unique opportunity with the Capacity Building Course 2026 aimed at professionals in the arts and culture sector. Applications for the course open now and will be accepted until July 24, 2026, 12:00 pm.

In a rapidly evolving social environment, arts professionals need to critically reflect on their activities while being equipped to address and solve contemporary issues through creativity. This requires collaboration and synergies with various stakeholders in the arts realm. Effective and organic networks are built on listening to multiple voices, fostering open dialogue, and respecting even the smallest opinions that may otherwise go unheard.

This comprehensive program is specifically designed for individuals engaged in the arts over five years, including artists, producers, curators, and arts managers. The course will accommodate approximately 16 participants and aims to foster a rich exchange of innovative practices through discussions, workshops, and lectures.

Course Overview and Themes

The course consists of several sessions focused on enhancing arts professionals’ capacities through exploration and practical implementations. Topics covered include:

• - Understanding the relationship between art and society.
• - Building diverse teams across different perspectives.
• - Articulating the value and impact of cultural activities.
• - Creative practices for establishing sustainable structures in the arts.

Schedule of Events

1. Session 1: Collaboration Practices Connecting Art and Society
Date: August 20, 2026
Speaker: Takuji Hiroishi
A session aimed at enhancing collaborations in the arts, focusing on building empathy and understanding among stakeholders.

2. Session 2: Building Teams Comprised of Diverse Perspectives
Date: September 10, 2026
Speakers: Kazue Nakata and M. Gotou
Exploring the underlying ideologies behind team structures and fostering collaborative environments.

3. Mid-Discussion 1:
Date: September 28, 2026
Facilitators: Tomonori Ogawa and Tomoko Wakabayashi
A chance to refine thoughts and resources towards defined challenges through team discussion.

4. Session 3: Evaluating and Articulating the Value of Art
Date: October 8, 2026
Speaker: Mia Nakamura
Delving into methods of evaluating cultural impact and defining relationships with societal values.

5. Session 4: Creative Practices for Developing Structures
Date: October 27, 2026
Speaker: Takeshi Otaka
Learning about innovative structural support within cultural activities.

6. Mid-Discussion 2:
Date: November 12, 2026
Facilitators: Tomonori Ogawa and Tomoko Wakabayashi
Exploring potential pathways and directions for further development in artistic endeavors.

7. Session 5: Opening and Co-creating Error-Prone Processes
Date: December 1, 2026
Speaker: Akie Mitomi
Discussion on the importance of inclusive practice within cultural spaces, avoiding top-down approaches.

8. Session 6: Thinking of Fair Collaboration in Creative Processes
Date: January 8, 2027
Speaker: Kaku Nagashima
Elevating discussions around the dynamics of collaborative art-making environments.

9. Individual Consultation: January 22, 2027
A chance to evaluate individual progress and define future activities with advisors.

10. Final Presentation: February 8, 2027
Sharing insights and proposed strategies based on learned objectives throughout the course.

Additional Information

Participants are encouraged to apply and secure their place in this invaluable learning environment. The program is sponsored by the government of Tokyo and operated by ON-PAM, a key player in the arts sector, aiming to build innovative capacities within the arts community in Japan. The previous batches have shown remarkable outcomes and led to the formation of a supportive network among arts professionals.

For full details and to access the application, visit the Art Noto Course Page. Join us in shaping the future of arts in society through collaborative efforts and creative problem-solving.