Between March 29 and April 4 2009, A New Direction hosted 8 representatives from Japan, in partnership with Graeae Theatre and Goldsmith’s University.
Doppo Narita, Satsuki Yoshino, Yoshiyasu Otah, Setsu Hanasaki, Yayoi Yoshino, Yayoi Koga, Takako Miyaura and Haruna Kondo are all managers and practitioners working for not for profit organisations developing work in a range of contexts (including schools) across Japan.
As part of their week in London the delegates visited Forest Hill Secondary School (Lewisham), Tower Bridge Primary (Southwark), Capital City Academy (Brent) and Langdon Park Secondary (Newham). They also attended lectures at Goldsmith’s University (as part of the Artists in Community Context MA) visited Oxford to see Graeae’s production of “Whiter than Snow”. The representatives also met with Esther Sayers, Curator for Young People’s programmes at Tate Modern to talk through the Manifesto for the Creative Britain programme, Young Curators programme and plans and developments for Tate Modern 2.
The visit was made possible by two grants, awared to A New Direction by the Daiwa Foundation and Sasakawa Foundation.
We asked our Japanese friends for some feedback on their trip - what did they learn, what they found interesting, how the visit was useful to them, and importantly - the differences between approaches to creative teaching and learning between here in the London, and Japan.
What was the value of the trip to London?
Setsu Hanasaki: To know the people and real examples of art activities under the different condition and different cultural back ground. Even if the condition and cultural background is very different, I could know art can be very valuable and effective. Also there are many friends and colleagues who can share same belief. Those facts encourage me so much.
Yayoi Koga: I could know there was not so large difference between UK and Japan in what happened on the spot. The difference is in the system and policy.
What was the highlight of the week?
Setsu Hanasaki: I was impressed by the play, "Whiter Than Snow" by Graeae Theater company.
Yayoi Koga: Opportunities to see how artists work in schools and how they are educated (at Goldsmiths).
What did you find useful to see, hear about?
Setsu Hanasaki: To hear from coordinators and practitioners about how the project really happens. Especially the idea of cross-curriculum and citizenship education is very useful.
Yayoi Koga: To see disabled peoples’ professional performance (in Graeae). It was my first experience. If I could have next chance, I would like to see artists in non-art field, as well as schools.
What differences are there between the UK and Japan's approach to artists working in a range of settings?
Setsu Hanasaki: Obviously in UK, you are mainly working under the policy of your government. However in Japan, our government has not known the value and effectiveness of the artists working for our education site and community.
Yayoi Koga: In UK, artists working in non-art field (eg. schools, hospitals and so on) are highly educated. There isn’t such a system in Japan yet.
What possibilities do you think are for future partnerships?
Setsu Hanasaki: For me it was first time to visit to UK. So everything is very fresh and new. I could think many things which I can't write down them all. In this point. I would like to talk about it with my friends who visited to UK together.
Yayoi Koga: For example, exchange programs of artists’ workshops. Artists in UK and Japan can learn together. And I also would like to hear from policy makers. Exchange programs of policy makers in two countries are useful.
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