Azumino

CODE: NICE-26S-0831A

Work:

We will 1) join to plan and run the open day conducted by mentally challenged adults together with community members and artists, 2) Maintain and prepare the art event venues and ateliers, including fields and warehouses and 3) Support the daytime activities, including making things in the atelier (e.g., dyeing plants and trees, setting up weaving machines, etc.).

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will sleep in the tatami (Japanese traditional carpet) rooms of a separate house near the office of White Canvas. Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns (lunch will be sometimes prepared with the host). Sleeping bag is necessary. There is a shower room, a kitchen and wifi.

Location and leisure

The project is located in Azumino-city, Nagano pref.; foothills of the Northern Alps of Japan. 189 km north west from Tokyo, 150km north east from Nagoya. It is famous for beautiful nature as well as the fresh, tasty fruits especially, apples! There are no shops nearby. Other activities - Exchange parties, hot spring, excursion on a free day, etc.

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with NPO WHITE CANVAS since 2024, a Non Profit Organization to empower mentally challenged people through the power of art. It was established by Kyoko who was a very active members of NICE with a lot of workcamp experiences in Togo, etc. and the company who had been working with her. Then more members joined when the workshop was about to open. They organize the workshop "TIME WARP" that is a workplace for adults with special needs for weaving, pottery, small garden and embroidery work. They all love art and craft, having big interests on humans. They don't stick in specific philosophies, but anthroposophy is one of their guides. They work and study together with a certified anthroposophical doctor, nurse, curative pedagogists and Extra Lesson practitioners.
*Outcome of this workcamp: In 2025, 2 MTVs and 3 STVs from 3 countries greatly contributed to cut the glasses, friendly exchange with the challenged people and assist the activities/ events!

Directions to meeting point

Additional comments

Study theme - Discussion on activities in the volunteer's home country and local art brut/ outsider art Participation fee - 18,000 JPY (99 EUR by the rate on 2026 Feb. 14) of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the staff/ camp leaders, visa invitation cost, publications, etc. while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free (so, your fee is not used for those things!). Other - Website of White Canvas https://npowhitecanvas.wixsite.com/love/services-9