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Report on Educational Programs	MIHO MUSEUM held a special opening for disabled visitors on May 15, 2006. The nonprofit organization Shumei International started this event for those with disabilities to leisurely visit MIHO MUSEUM on a day when it is usually closed to the public.    The first time this event was organized in spring of 2004, we had three participants—a boy who was almost five-years old and his parents. It seems like only yesterday when this little boy enthusiastically looked at artworks from his buggy, much to his parents surprise. Two years have quickly passed, and since then this event has been carried out every spring and autumn. This spring marked the fifth special opening, in which 162 participants (114 disabled visitors and 48 attendants) enjoyed the Burke Collection exhibition and the permanent collection. Ninety-seven visitors used our free audio guides, which we offered for the first time. The guides were made possible under the auspices of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc., one of our co-organizers for the exhibition.    We served mini sencha (green tea) roll cake, made with the finest organic ingredients at our Pine View café. It was a nice tea break after enjoying quiet conversations with the works of art. Many of our participants later told us that they look forward to our next special opening, which will be held on October 23, around the time the mountains will be painted in crimson with autumn leaves.
Special opening for disabled visitors Fumiaki Tada’s stamp Ruin in Mexico Pinhole photography by Yoshiyasu Suzuka	People have been making stamps for thousands of years. The ancient Mesopotamians engraved letters and designs into stone and clay, using these carvings as personal seals. This summer, a stamp-making workshop for children will be held at MIHO MUSEUM. The children can think about ancient peoples, while carving their own seals in stone. We hope that these stone stamps, inspired by ancient works of art, will deeply impress upon the children’s memories of a fun-filled summer. ★ Instructor: Fumiaki Tada (Artist, Stamp Maker) ★ Date and Time: Saturday, July 29, 2006 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ★ Aimed at first graders to high school students ★ Capacity: 20 students ★ Participation free of charge ★ Lunch: Please bring your own. ★ Deadline to sign up: July 9, 2006 The pinhole camera, which can be called the origin of the camera, has no lens, uses no complex mechanisms, and only depends on a very small hole about 0.3 mm wide to take in light and capture nature. This workshop’s instructor Yoshiyasu Suzuka has taken many photographs with the pinhole camera in Japan and around the world. He says, “Pinhole camera photographs are blessed and produced by nature.” Many of us today have forgotten this idea that everything comes from the blessings of nature. We hope to share the origin of human beings with children through this workshop on the origin of camera. ★ Instructor: Yoshiyasu Suzuka (Artist, Professor, Kyoto University of Art and Design; Guest Lecturer, Kyoto University; Guest Lecturer, Tokyo Polytechnic University) ★ Date and time: Saturday, August 12, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ★ Aimed at fourth graders to middle school students ★ Capacity: 20 students ★ Participation free of charge. ★ Lunch: Please bring your own. ★ Deadline to sign up: July 23, 2006
For more information, please contact the MIHO MUSEUM curatorial office.

MIHO MUSEUM’s children’s educational program Waku Waku Museum is held as part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s campaign to create spaces for children.
* For children of all ages (preschool, elementary, middle, and high school students)  * Participation free of charge (for children and up to two adults per family)  * Program    1) Waku Waku Expedition: Explore the museum (primarily exhibition galleries) with an expedition guide.    2) Waku Waku Booth: Coloring and drawing pictures and working on puzzles of the artworks.  * Please rsvp via fax or post.  * Deadline for signing up: At least one week in advance of the workshop (first 30 applicants per program).  * Workshops will be held on September 17 and 24; October 8, 22, and 29; November 12 and 26; and December 3 and 17.     Morning group: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon Afternoon group: 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
	・From a girl in her first year of middle school: “I had a great time! I felt inspired by each and every work.”
・From another girl in her first year of middle school: It was my first time here, but I had a lot of fun. It was exciting to go from one room to the next, I kept thinking, ‘What’s next? What’s next?’”

The nonprofit organization Shumei International sponsors a free special opening for disabled persons and their attendants (disability I.D. and reservation necessary). Visitors can leisurely enjoy the galleries and participate in educational workshops on this day, which is closed to the general public.    The restaurant and café will be closed. However, a self-service counter serving drinks will be open in the café area. The seating area can also be used for resting. Those needing special care must come with an attendant. For those requiring assistance, please call the museum in advance for the services we provide. For more information and/or reservations, please contact the nonprofit organization Shumei International (tel. 0748-82-3140 or e-mail: nposhumei＠shumei.or.jp).

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