Do you know about "special needs education"?
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology defines special needs education as "education tailored to the educational needs of each individual, with the perspective of supporting proactive efforts towards the independence and social participation of children with disabilities."
In Kurashiki City, special needs education is being conducted, with the Kurashiki City Kurashiki Support School established, as well as special needs classes set up in 55 public elementary schools and 25 public junior high schools.
The exhibition "Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition," showcasing the works of children receiving special needs education in Kurashiki City, will be held again in 2025, and we interviewed about the thoughts on the exhibition.
What is the "36th Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition"?
The Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition is an annual exhibition held to expand the understanding and cooperation of special needs education, and it will celebrate its 36th edition in 2025.
In 2025, it will be held for six days from January 21 (Tuesday) to January 26 (Sunday) at the Kurashiki City Art Museum.
Participants will include all special needs classes established in public elementary and junior high schools in Kurashiki City, as well as the Kurashiki City Kurashiki Support School.
Special Needs Class
Classes established to help students with disabilities overcome learning or daily life difficulties in elementary schools, junior high schools, etc.
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Special Needs School
Schools that provide education equivalent to kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high schools, or high schools for children with disabilities, aiming to impart the knowledge and skills necessary to overcome learning or daily life difficulties and achieve independence.
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
At the 35th Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition held in 2024, works from various subjects were displayed, including art and crafts, calligraphy, essays, and works from home economics, showcasing the efforts of children who created them through their daily activities.
Special Exhibition of the Hospital Class Friendship Art Exhibition
The Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition will also include not only special needs classes in special needs schools and various elementary and junior high schools in Kurashiki City but also hospital classes.
Hospital Class
Hospital classes are special support classes for children and students who must be hospitalized due to injuries or illnesses, established within hospitals.
* Currently, there are hospital classes for Kurashiki City public elementary and junior high schools at Kurashiki Central Hospital and Kawasaki Medical School Hospital.
The works from the hospital classes will have a special exhibition at Nishina Store iroiro in the Kurashiki Ebisu Shopping Street from January 27 (Monday) to February 2 (Sunday), after the conclusion of the Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition.
Please check the following image for more details.
Interview with the person in charge of the "36th Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition"
We spoke with Vice Principal Mika Nakamura of Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School about the aims of the "Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition" and her thoughts on the exhibition.
Could you tell us about the background of the "Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition"?
Nakamura (no honorifics)
Until the 1988 school year, schools in the Kurashiki area (Kurashiki and Mizushima) held their exhibitions separately at the Kurashiki Cultural Center and the Kojima Cultural Center. However, there was a growing desire to hold a joint exhibition in a larger venue. Therefore, starting in 1989, it became a city-wide event and was named the "Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition."
There were years when it was canceled due to the spread of COVID-19, but this year marks the 36th edition.
It seems rare for an exhibition to include all students enrolled in special needs schools and classes, like in Kurashiki City. We also create works with the children every year, experimenting and learning along the way.
What is the aim of the "Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition"?
Nakamura
First and foremost, we want to convey the activities of children engaged in special needs education to the citizens.
The traces of the efforts that children have accumulated through their daily activities should be conveyed through their works.
The situation of children receiving special needs education varies each year, so many schools discuss what support is needed for the children by actually creating works during the summer vacation. Then, from around autumn, many schools begin working on the creations with the children.
The works for the Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition are created as a large piece that transcends grades and types of disabilities, so cooperation among teachers is essential. Every teacher is eager to create works that bring out the children's strengths.
Since special needs schools and classes often have only one class per grade, it seems that gathering all the works in one place can also lead to learning among teachers.
Nakamura
That's right.
Opportunities to see the efforts of other schools are rare, so I have been inspired by the works of other schools every year.
However, it’s not just the teachers who are inspired. The children also seem to look forward to viewing the works of children from other schools.
Among the children receiving special needs education, some utilize welfare services, so there seem to be many friends attending different schools.
Among the children in my class, many were excited to see works from other schools, exclaiming, "That's so-and-so's work!"
I often see children during the exhibition period at the Kurashiki City Art Museum.
Nakamura
Since the children's works are being displayed, many schools take field trips to view the Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition. The Bikan Historical Area is also nearby, allowing for town exploration and shopping learning.
Since the exhibition starts on a Tuesday, I often hear stories of families retracing the paths taken during the field trips on weekends. I hope this exhibition can serve as an opportunity to broaden the options for outings for families with children with disabilities.
What kind of people would you like to come to the "Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition"?
Nakamura
Of course, I would like the families of the children to come, but I also hope that citizens and visitors will stop by.
Many wonderful works that showcase the children's individuality will be on display. I want many people to see the traces of the hard work that the children have put into creating their works.
Finally, please give a message to the readers.
Nakamura
Although it is a cold season, I encourage everyone to visit the "Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition" and see the warm atmosphere of the works created by children receiving special needs education in Kurashiki City.
We look forward to your visit.
Conclusion
Until November 2023, I was a teacher at a special needs school in the Kanto region.
While I often saw exhibitions showcasing works from representative students of each school in Kanto, I feel it is rare, as Vice Principal Nakamura mentioned, to have an opportunity where works created collaboratively by children from various schools come together, like at the Kurashiki Kids' Friendship Art Exhibition.
During the exhibition period, the Kurashiki City Art Museum and the Bikan Historical Area will likely be bustling with children on field trips. Since it is held during a particularly cold season, why not go and gain some energy from the vibrant presence of the children and their unique works?
Article about Kurashiki City Art Museum
Data for the 36th Kurashiki Children’s Friendship Artwork Exhibition
| Name | 36th Kurashiki Children’s Friendship Artwork Exhibition |
|---|---|
| Date | January 22 (Tue) to 26 (Sun), 2025 9:00 AM to 5:15 PM (Opening at 10:30 AM on the first day only) |
| Location | 2-6-1 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free admission |
| Website | Kurashiki City Art Museum |
