[Sapporo] Sapporo International Art Festival launches “on-site classes” at city elementary and junior high schools
Sapporo City Press Release: August 29, 2025 Sapporo International Art Festival begins “on-site lessons” at elementary and junior high schools in the city [A first in Sapporo] A completely new on-site class program through public-private
collaboration between Wacom Co., Ltd. and the art festival [Winner of the Kids Design Award for the second consecutive year] Programming classes developed by Fujimori are also being expanded News media companies The Sapporo International Art Festival (SIAF) will be offering two types of on-site classes at elementary and junior high schools in Sapporo starting at the end of August 2025. These classes, which began in 2023, will be offered for the first time in Sapporo this year in collaboration with Wacom Co., Ltd., offering a completely new on-site class using pen tablets, also used in professional settings. In addition, the programming class, developed with the art unit Fujimori and awarded the Kids Design Award for the past two years, will be expanded in scale. Based on the philosophy that “art festivals are schools of the future,” SIAF provides children with creative opportunities utilizing art and technology. Program 1: [New] Integration with Wacom “Let’s Make Your Own New Monster – Wacom’s Idea Workshop” This is a new class starting this school year, jointly planned by SIAF and Wacom Corporation, a global leader in digital pen technology for over 40 years. Children will use cards as inspiration to create their own original monsters while trying out Wacom’s pen tablets, which are also used by professional creators. This will help them develop new ideas and diverse perspectives.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/130084/174/130084-174-6edcc0de955d9c6a9f266c8fb213ad96-3071×2048.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/130084/174/130084-174-8449f26678e355612fb9bef94810e7cc-3071×2048.jpg Winner of the Kids Design Award for the Second Consecutive Year This program has been highly praised as a creative initiative that takes children and parenting into consideration. Fujimori and the Sapporo International Art Festival Executive Committee Secretariat jointly awarded the Kids Design Award for the 18th and 19th annual awards for two consecutive years. In 2023, 853 children participated, and in 2024, 1,176 children participated. The results were exhibited at the SIAF2024 venue and the Sapporo Snow Festival Odori venue. 2025 Off-Site Lesson Schedule The program will be implemented at the following elementary and junior high schools in Sapporo from the end of August through November. “Create Your Own New Monster” (Wacom Integration) September 8th (Monday) and 9th (Tuesday): Chuo Elementary School (6th grade) Wednesday, September 10: Misono Elementary School (3rd grade) November 25th (Tuesday): Higashi Shiroishi Elementary School (6th grade) November 26th (Wednesday): Hachikenkita Elementary School (5th grade) Friday, November 28: Midori Elementary School (3rd grade) “Challenge Art with Programming” (in collaboration with Fujimori) August 29th (Friday): Maeda Elementary School (4th grade) September 2nd (Tuesday): Toyoen Elementary School (4th grade) September 11th (Thursday): Kiyota Midori Elementary School (6th grade) September 12th (Friday): Hassamu Elementary School (6th grade) September 16th (Tuesday): Hassamu Elementary School (5th grade) September 26th (Friday): Oyachi Higashi Elementary School (4th grade) October 2nd (Thursday): Hiragishi Elementary School (3rd grade) October 7th (Tuesday) and 8th (Wednesday): Teinetetsu Kita Elementary School (5th grade) October 17th (Friday): Renmai Junior High School (3rd grade) October 28th (Tuesday): Maedakita Elementary School (5th grade) October 30th (Thursday): Kotoni Chuo Elementary School (6th grade) November 7th (Friday): Fushiko Elementary School (4th grade) November 11th (Tuesday): Teinemiyaoka Elementary School (4th grade) November 12th (Wednesday): Atsubetsu Nishi Elementary School (5th grade) November 19th (Wednesday): Shinryo Higashi Elementary School (3rd grade) November 21st (Friday): Inaho Elementary School (4th grade)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/130084/174/130084-174-9e2d8013b6b3fde7edb48435d2b8deb2-2688×2700.jpg Wacom Co., Ltd. is a technology leadership company that provides digital drawing and writing experiences through digital pen
technology. Originating in Japan, Wacom’s pen tablet products are currently used in over 150 countries and regions worldwide for a wide range of purposes, including by professional creators such as filmmakers and industrial design studios, designers, and manga artists, as well as at city hall counters and hotel check-in terminals. At SIAF2024, as an initiative partner, we held an exhibition program and the one-day event “Wacom International Art Festival,” as well as an original workshop in collaboration with SIAF School.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/130084/174/130084-174-a6bca91e06d2feca5fb974a90ff1096c-883×524.jpg Fujimori is an interactive art unit created by husband and wife duo Jun and Hiroko Fujiki. Each artist brings their own ideas to the table, with Jun Fujiki in charge of interactive design and Hiroko Fujiki in charge of visual composition, creating art pieces that involve the viewer’s participation. Jun Fujiki creates interactive works based on unique algorithms, while Hiroko Fujiki creates video installations and other works. They began collaborating in 2014, and in 2019 they changed their unit name to Fujimori. We appreciate your cooperation in spreading awareness of the above initiatives and in reporting on them. If you would like to cover them, please contact the person listed below. Sapporo International Art Festival Executive Committee Secretariat, Contact: Sugimoto and Abeshima 10th floor, Sapporo Clock Tower Building, Kita 1-jo Nishi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0001 | FAX:011-218-5157 | E-MAIL:press@siaf.jp WEB: https://siaf.jp/
