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A guidebook titled “First Steps in Cultural Prescribing” has been published to introduce the concept of cultural prescribing as a way to reduce social disparities in health, which is the focus of “aa-tomo TODAY.”
The National Center for Art Research, which operates “aa-tomo TODAY,” is based at Tokyo University of the Arts and is a member of the “Arts-based Communication Platform for Co-Creation to Build a Convivial Society” (abbreviated as the ART-based Platform for Co-Creation), a collaboration of 42 public, private, and academic organizations, including universities, museums, medical and welfare organizations and local governments. The “First Steps in Cultural Prescribing” guidebook was created as part of that initiative.
The guidebook introduces cultural prescribing in a clear and easy-to-reference format for individuals who are interested in art and care, citizen groups, people involved in the arts, and healthcare and welfare professionals.
The guidebook includes content that helps readers learn more about cultural prescribing, including the definition of cultural prescribing and an introduction to five case studies from museums, hospitals, civic groups, universities, and private businesses in Japan. It also includes information and suggestions on how to put cultural prescribing into practice. As the title suggests, this guidebook has been designed to encourage people to take the first step in cultural prescribing.
The “First Steps in Cultural Prescribing” guidebook can be downloaded from the following links.
This guidebook contains everything that we hoped to convey about cultural prescribing, as well as what we hope to explore and build together with everyone in the future. We hope that the content inspires a wide range of people.
Overview of “First Steps in Cultural Prescribing” Guidebook
| Contents | A guidebook that provides easy-to-understand explanations of the definition and impact of cultural prescribing. Includes case studies from museums, hospitals, civic groups, universities, and private businesses in Japan. |
| Specifications | B5 modified size / 36 pages / center-stapled |
| Target Audience | Individuals involved in art and care, civic groups interested in community connections, art professionals, and medical and welfare professionals. |
Supervision / Writing：
Tomohiro Nishi（MD, Representative Director of General Incorporated Association PlusCare）
Tatsuya Ito（Professor, Public Collaboration Center, Tokyo University of the Arts）
Sawako Inaniwa（Senior Curator, National Center for Art Research）
Rui Fukumoto（Director, Center for Regional Co-Creation, Nagaoka Institute of Design / Visiting Professor, Tokyo University of the Arts）
Planning / Creation：General Incorporated Association PlusCare
Cover & Illustrations：Yosuke Yamaguchi
Design：Tatsuhiko Gunji
Writing：Ikuko Hyodo（pp. 06–11, pp. 14–15）、Kayo Yabushita（pp. 12–13）
English Translation：Yuko Ochiai、Elizabeth Oswald、Clementine Nuttall、Kaoru Sasaki
Coordination and Editing：Yuko Ochiai、Wakana Mori（Mimisha LLC）、Kenji Iijima（Kushami, Inc.）
Published by：Arts-Based Communication Platform for Co-Creation to Build a Convivial Society, Tokyo University of the Arts
Independent Administrative Institution National Museum of Art, National Center for Art Research
2nd Floor, Kitanomaru Square, 1-13-12 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0073, Japan
Date of Issue：August 8, 2025（First edition – Digital version）
Copyright ©2025 Arts-Based Platform for Co-Creation / National Center for Art Research
ISBN978-4-911341-09-4
Any duplication, reproduction, reprinting, or republication of anything in this booklet,including but not limited to texts and illustrations, is prohibited without permission.
