Arts Council Shizuoka Releases “Proposal for Promoting Culture and the Arts for the Elderly” — Proposing the Role and Potential of Culture and the Arts in a Super-Aging Society Shizuoka Prefectural Cultural Foundation, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Press Release: September 10, 2025 To Members of the Media Arts Council Shizuoka Releases “Proposal for Promoting Culture and the Arts for the Elderly” — Proposing the Role and Potential of Culture and the Arts in a Super-Aging Society Seven recommendations announced to create purpose in life for the elderly and promote healthy longevity Arts Council Shizuoka (located in Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City, responsible person: Nobumasa Kushino) has announced the “Proposal for Promoting Culture and the Arts for the Elderly,” which aims to realize a sense of purpose in life and promote healthy longevity for the elderly in a super-aging society. This proposal, based on Arts Council Shizuoka’s project track record and research, summarizes the involvement of culture and the arts in contributing to extending the healthy lifespan of the elderly.
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relationships such as interpersonal connections, increasing
self-esteem, and discovering new meaning in life, and advocates for their utilization. ■Main points of the proposal Through the following seven recommendations, the proposal aims to promote cultural and artistic activities for seniors and support their physical and mental health and healthy lifestyles in the local community. 1. Creating opportunities for seniors to actively participate in culture and the arts In order for seniors to actively participate in cultural and artistic activities, we hope to create an environment where they can easily gather and participate at cultural facilities and local hubs. By developing “participatory” and “empathetic” cultural and artistic activities that allow seniors to express themselves and communicate with others, we hope to maintain and improve their physical and mental health and prevent social isolation. 2. Enhance interactive
appreciation programs for the elderly Elderly people have fewer opportunities to talk about their past, but this is important for integrating their sense of self. Interactive art appreciation encourages free expression and reminiscence among the elderly, contributing to their physical and mental health. We call for more opportunities for interactive art appreciation at cultural facilities and elderly care facilities, and for support systems such as the dispatch of facilitators to be improved. 3. Introduction of cultural and artistic activities in elderly care facilities, etc. Art therapy as it has been implemented to date is often inappropriate for the elderly, and there is a lack of opportunities for free expression. It is hoped that cultural and artistic activities that bring out the independence of the elderly will be introduced in elderly care facilities. To achieve this, it is necessary to train and assign specialized personnel who can act as a bridge between care and the arts, and stronger collaboration between medical care, welfare, and the arts is expected. 4. Expansion of awareness of super aged art “Super Elderly Art,” a form of creative expression by seniors, enhances the will to live. While it has attracted attention at exhibitions and in the media, it remains relatively unknown within the prefecture. To bring out the creativity of more seniors, we call for the spread of “Super Elderly Art” and for more opportunities for seniors to exhibit their work at art museums and other venues in the prefecture. 5. Promoting initiatives that encourage elderly people to talk about their own lives When providing support to elderly people requiring care, it is important to restore the connections that support their will to live. To achieve this, in addition to
interactive viewing, it is effective to support elderly people in talking about their lives using a “narrative approach.” Specific examples include “narrative writing” and “life storytelling,” which contribute to self-understanding and community building for those receiving care and their families. We hope to promote the spread of these methods, as they help pass on local memories to the next generation and foster a spirit of respect for the elderly. 6. Enhancing on-demand transportation Senior citizens who have
surrendered their driver’s licenses are facing a lack of
transportation, making access to cultural and artistic activities even more difficult. A survey conducted by the University of Tokyo revealed that “lack of transportation” was the main reason for not
participating in cultural and artistic activities. While there are moves nationwide to review the Senior Citizen Pass, and there are examples of the introduction of reservation-based shared public transportation (on-demand transportation), it is still not sufficient. Improving transportation services is an urgent priority to promote participation in cultural and artistic activities. 7. Utilizing culture and the arts to support the elderly and promote healthy longevity Approximately 80% of seniors find meaning in cultural and artistic activities, contributing to their spiritual fulfillment and improved quality of life. Given rising medical costs for the elderly, preventive medicine and streamlining healthcare delivery are required, and promoting healthy longevity through the use of culture and the arts is an important policy. It is also expected to be effective in promoting social participation among seniors and preventing dementia, making it necessary to further strengthen the role of culture and the arts. Arts Council Shizuoka hopes that these recommendations will be reflected in various policies through collaboration with relevant departments. By supporting the elderly’s fulfillment and healthy lifestyles in the community through culture and the arts, Arts Council Shizuoka hopes to contribute to Shizuoka Prefecture’s achievement of becoming the happiest prefecture in Japan. ■Contact for inquiries regarding this matter Arts Council Shizuoka (Shizuoka Prefectural Cultural Foundation, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) Contact: Nobumasa Kushino TEL: 054-204-0059 (9:00-17:00 (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) Mail：info@artscouncil-shizuoka.jp Web: https://artscouncil-shizuoka.jp/ Press release attachments