Artist in School as “Art Classes”

Comparing the Practices of Saitama City and Kawaguchi City in Saitama Prefecture

Abstract

In this paper, I analyze two projects of dispatching artists to schools in Saitama City and Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture. In these projects, artists are appointed as teachers in the art class of elementary and junior high schools, and they are assigned to teach oneunit lessons.

I was involved in the Kawaguchi City project; therefore, I analyze it from the point of view of the project coordinator. Because I have unique local connections, I was able to cover the Saitama City project, of which very little information was available. I was able to obtain information by visiting schools and conducting interviews with the person in charge (the coordinator).

I compared certain aspects of the two projects, such as the purpose and significance of the projects, the artists to be dispatched, and the selection of schools. In addition, I compared issues and future potentials observed by the coordinators. Through these comparisons, I examined whether the two projects functioned as “Art Classes.”

In Kawaguchi City, curators belonging to the civic gallery, and in Saitama City, teachers belonging to the board of education coordinated each project. I also noted that the differences in the coordinators' expertise affected the directions and developments of the projects and produced various effects and issues.