The application deadline is approaching on Wednesday, October 23th.
The application deadline is approaching on Wednesday, September 23. https://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/~awa/
https://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/aes/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/12E_banner.jpg5511920naoehttps://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/aes/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/aeslogo.pngnaoe2026-09-19 12: 36: 502026-09-19 12: 37: 52The deadline for applications for the High School Art Writer Award is fast approaching on Wednesday, September 23rd.
The publication includes the full texts of the two Grand Prize-winning essays listed below, as well as seven essays that received Awards for Excellence.
11th Grand Prize Winning Work
Grand Prize in the 11th contest
Naomi Gan, “Sparks” (School of the Arts, Singapore)
–Comments from the Selection Committee–
This piece is unique in addressing a challenge that young artists inevitably face—the doubt and struggle against pure creative desire—through the lens of poetic literary language while drawing inspiration from Van Gogh's life and works.
Lovelia Yuriko Zahida, “Art as an Escape and Solace” (MAU Amanatul Ummah – Islamic Senior High School Surabaya, Indonesia)
–Comments from the Selection Committee–
This excellent essay captures the ignition point of artistic expression from the perspectives of different life domains. By contrasting their experiences of transferring to a Japanese elementary school and later returning to school life in Indonesia, the author discovers the brilliance of “illustration” as a form of self-expression beyond linguistic boundaries and shares the experience of gaining the vitality to live.
https://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/aes/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/12E_banner.jpg5511920naoehttps://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/aes/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/aeslogo.pngnaoe2026-08-24 17: 27: 002026-08-24 17: 27: 00Selected English Essays from the Art Writer Award for High School Students
The first interim presentation for the Arts Support Program for the 2026 academic year was held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 1:00 PM in the Arts Studies building.
The students' presentation topics are as follows:
2nd year master's course (interim report on master's thesis)
Research on the transformation of perception and understanding of social issues through interactive art appreciation.
Characteristics of teacher behavior and role in art and craft classes
Research on methods of supporting art appreciation through parent-child dialogue in art museums.
The Evolution and Positioning of Art Appreciation in Japanese Art Education: Historical and Institutional Considerations and Future Prospects
On the treatment of art in art education in Japan and France since the postwar period.
Supporting culturally distant viewers at art festivals: Exploring psychological barriers and designing digital support tools.
Exhibition Methods and the Role of Mediators in Participatory Art Projects: Through Two Exhibition Examples of Jun Kitazawa's "Fragile Gift"
Fourth-year undergraduate student (Interim report on graduation thesis)
The potential and challenges of artistic activities as a form of care in youth support.
The impact of exposure to art-related posts on social media on Japanese university students' intention to visit art museums: Focusing on media characteristics, posting formats, content creators, and content factors.
Typological classification of the conclusion of morning art appreciation sessions: A case study from Toride Municipal Toride Nishi Elementary School.
A proposal for simplified budget management and accounting support for artists working individually or in small teams: Budget management for artists before incorporation.
The impact of watching films on adults' motivation for creative activities.
Creating safe spaces for children through extracurricular arts activities and connecting them with school education.
The First Mid-Year Research Presentation Session for the Art Environment Support program was held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 1:00 pm at the Institute of Art and Design Building, University of Tsukuba.
The presentation topics were as follows.
Master's Program, Second-Year Students (Master's Thesis Progress Reports)
A Study of Changes in the Recognition and Understanding of Social Issues through Dialogic Art Appreciation
Characteristics of Teachers' Behaviors and Roles in Elementary School Art Classes
Master's Program, First-Year Students (Research Progress Reports)
A Study on Parent–Child Art Appreciation Support through Dialogue in Museums
The Historical Development and Position of Art Appreciation in Japanese Art Education: Historical and Institutional Perspectives with Future Directions
The Treatment of Art in Postwar Art Education in Japan and France
Supporting Culturally Distant Audiences at Art Festivals: Exploring the Structure of Psychological Barriers and Designing Digital Support Tools
Exhibition Methods and the Role of Mediators in Participatory Art Projects: A Comparative Study of Two Exhibitions of Jun Kitazawa's Fragile Gift
Fourth-Year Undergraduate Students (Undergraduate Thesis Progress Reports)
The Potential and Challenges of Artistic Activities as Care in Youth Support
The Influence of Exposure to Art-Related Posts on Social Media on Japanese University Students' Intentions to Visit Art Museums: Focusing on Media Characteristics, Post Format, Source, and Content
Classifying Types of Closure in Morning Art Appreciation Activities: A Case Study of Toride Nishi Elementary School, Toride City
A Proposal for Simple Budget Management Support for Individual Artists and Small Creative Teams: Budget Management for Artists Prior to Incorporation
The Influence of Viewing Video Works on Adults' Motivation for Creative Activities
Creating Places of Belonging for Children through Extracurricular Artistic Activities and Their Connection with School Education
https://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/aes/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/P1190207.jpg14421920naoehttps://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/aes/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/aeslogo.pngnaoe2026-07-24 12: 04: 262026-08-01 11: 26: 51The Art Environment Support program held its first mid-year research presentation session for 2026.
High School Student Art Writer Awardis an essay contest that fosters the ability to think and communicate about art in one's own words. 2026: English Essay Contest
2027: Japanese Essay Contest
English Essay Category
Write your thoughts about art in English (up to 1000 words)
Recruitment theme
Japanese Art / Art Workshop / Art & Life 2026
Application deadline: Wednesday, September 2026, 9
Results announcement February 2027 on the web (planned)
Award (Certificate, art supplies provided by partner companies, commemorative gifts from the university)
Grand Prize: 1-3 entries / Excellence Award: 5-10 entries / Honorable Mention: 10-20 entries
(This may vary depending on the number of applications.)
The Art Writer Award for High School Students is an essay contest on art.
It allows students to develop the ability to convey their ideas and think about art in their own words. 2026: Contest of essays in English
2027: Contest of essays in Japanese
English Essay Category
Write your thoughts on art in English in no more than 1,000 words.
Topic Themes
Japanese Art / Creative Experience / Art and Life 2026
Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Announcement of Results: March 2027 (on the official website)
Awards: (Number of awards may change according to the volume of submissions.)
Grand Prize – 1 to 3 entries / Award for Excellence – 5 to 10 entries / Winning Entries – 10 to 20 entries Winners will receive certificates, art materials from our sponsor, and commemorative gifts from the university.
https://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/aes/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/12E_banner.jpg5511920naoehttps://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/aes/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/aeslogo.pngnaoe2026-05-18 16: 25: 002026-08-01 11: 25: 35Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 High School Art Writer Award.
The High School Art Writer Award Selection Committee has completed the selection process for the 11th High School Art Writer Award in the Japanese Essay category and has determined the winners of the Grand Prize, Excellence Award, Honorable Mention, and School Award.
The committee selected the winners of the Grand Prize, the Award for Excellence, the Winning Entries, and the School Award for the 11th Art Writer Award for High School Students, Essays in Japanese.
大 賞
Kumamoto Prefectural Second High School, Hikida Honoka, Oil Painting "Transience" – Eternal Beauty Residing in the Moment of Disappearance –
Aichi Prefectural Tenpaku High School, Momoko Obayashi: "I feel the 'blank space'"
Mai Shinoda, Nishogakusha University Kashiwa High School: The Meaning of Painting a "Self-Portrait"
17 entries received the Excellence Award, 30 entries received the Honorable Mention, and 5 schools received the School Award.
The Student Selection Committee for the High School Art Writer Award, composed of Tsukuba University students, has selected the following work from among the excellent entries to receive the "Tsukuba University Student Award."
The Students Selection Committee of the Art Writer Award for High School Students selected the University of Tsukuba Students' Award
Tsukuba University Student Award
Kagoshima Prefectural Shoyo High School, Karen Mizogami: The Light of Creation
https://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/aes/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/11J_banner_s.jpg5511920naoehttps://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/aes/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/aeslogo.pngnaoe2026-03-25 10: 34: 502026-03-25 10: 34: 50High School Art Writer Award Final Award Winners