Discover​​​​ Cultural Prescribing! “Hello Future! 100-Year Museum” Held at the ​​​​EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan 

The Power of Art to Foster Connections 

From Thursday, August 14 to Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Tokyo University of the Arts and the National Center for Art Research will host an exhibit titled “Hello Future! 100-Year Museum” at the “Science: Connecting You to the Future” exhibition sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The exhibition will be held in the WASSE EXPO Exhibition Center at Yumeshima, the venue for EXPO 2025. The theme of the exhibit is ​​“Discover Cultural Prescribing.” 

The aim of the “Hello Future! 100-Year Museum” event is to introduce the concept of cultural prescribing—which uses art and cultural activities to foster connections—with a wide range of visitors, providing an opportunity for participants to experience, learn about, and discuss this concept.   

What Is “Cultural Prescribing”? 

“Cultural prescribing” refers to systems and activities that promote health not through medication, but through the power of art and culture to increase connections between people and enhance their ​​​wellbeing. For example, loneliness and isolation are said to have a greater negative impact on health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and activities to incorporate art and cultural activities into daily life are gaining attention as a way to address such concerns. Art has the power to create connections, and its positive effects include stress reduction and the prevention and improvement of chronic illnesses. In this sense, art and cultural activities can be seen as a “medicine for the mind and body.” 

The “ART-based Platform for Co-creation,” a collaborative project involving 41 public, private, and academic entities—including Tokyo University of the Arts, national and other museums, private companies and local governments—is advancing the implementation of “cultural prescriptions” in nine municipalities nationwide on an experimental basis. At the exhibition at EXPO 2025, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the concept of cultural prescribing and related activities, engage with works of art, and think about their own cultural prescriptions through an interactive exhibition.   

The Aim of “Hello Future! 100-Year Museum” 

The purpose of this exhibit is to show that art and cultural activities are not just pursuits to enjoy in one’s free time, but can also serve as a “prescription” for physical and mental health that can be incorporated into daily life. By not only “viewing” the works but also “feeling,” “thinking about,” “discussing” and “engaging with” the art, we hope that visitors will rediscover their connections with those around them, contributing to a healthier future. This exhibition is specially designed for teenagers and young people. At the venue, we will also be distributing a booklet titled “A Cultural Prescribing Guidebook for Teens.” We invite visitors to take a look. 

Event Overview 

*This exhibition is supported by the JST Support Program for the Formation of Places for Co-Creation.