"Will 'Play' Save Museums?" What the Tokyo National Museum's "Asobiba☺Tohaku!" Program Asks
Tokyo National Museum's "Asobiba☺Tohaku!" is an initiative using play to foster connections between children and the museum experience.Summary
The Tokyo National Museum's "Asobiba☺Tohaku!" program, launched fully in 2024, is an attempt to redefine the museum's role in society, driven by concerns over an aging visitor demographic where young people constitute only about 10%. This initiative, targeting elementary school children and their guardians, moves beyond traditional viewing by emphasizing physical activity and play as ways to engage with cultural assets and the museum space. Formed by an interdepartmental team, the program followed surveys indicating the need for family-focused, continuous measures. The space features play structures and ball pits, prioritizing the feeling that "museums are fun places" over teaching correct answers. This aligns with the ICOM's new definition of museums as inclusive spaces, attempting to reconcile the mission of preserving cultural assets with being a venue for diverse engagement. The program focuses on long-term impact—nurturing future cultural participants through positive childhood memories—rather than immediate visitor numbers, though challenges remain regarding securing resources and balancing this with core preservation and research duties. Ultimately, "Asobiba☺Tohaku!" seeks to transform the museum from a place of quiet contemplation to one where relationships are nurtured over time.
(Source：美術手帖)