Engaging Youth to Pass Regional Cultural Materials to Future Generations: Effects of Ongoing Workshops

This study explores youth engagement in preserving regional cultural materials through workshops inspired by local artists. The Imuro area of Hiroshima City, which is rich in cultural assets, faces challenges in passing these materials to future generations, owing to generational changes and shifting societal trends. Four workshops were conducted, each inspired by the techniques or themes of local artists, including stamping, marbling, impasto, frottage, and scratching. These activities allowed children to enjoy creative expression while indirectly connecting them with artists’ works. The workshops emphasized collaboration, creativity, and community engagement, with completed artworks publicly displayed to involve adults and raise awareness of the local culture. The university students play key roles in planning and managing workshops and gaining skills in art education, community engagement, and leadership. While the workshops prioritized the joy of creation over direct knowledge transfer about artists, they also served as catalysts for fostering appreciation of local art. This initiative has also strengthened ties between schools, museums, and communities, highlighting the importance of sustainable cultural preservation systems. Although the long-term effects remain uncertain, the workshops successfully broadened interest in local artists and empowered students as future custodians of cultural heritage.