Inclusive Art 'Dialogue Art 2026' Launches Two New Open Calls! 'Dialogue Art SIGNALS (Manga/Digital Works Call)' and 'Dialogue Art IN HOSPITAL (Call for Works by Hospitalized Children)'

The general incorporated association Nanairo (hereafter, Nanairo) will simultaneously begin accepting applications for two open call exhibitions, 'SIGNALS (Manga/Digital Works Call)' and 'IN HOSPITAL (Call for Works by Hospitalized Children)', as part of its inclusive art project 'Dialogue Art 2026', which aims to create new points of contact with society centered on 'disability' and 'life difficulties', starting Monday, June 1, 2026.

This initiative seeks to capture expressions born from 'disability' and 'life difficulties'—rich sensibilities and unique perspectives—as art and create connections with society. We warmly welcome a wide range of expressions that people wish to share with society, not only completed works but also experimental attempts and unfinished ideas.

Overview of Dialogue Art 2026

The inclusive art project 'Dialogue Art', which has been running since 2022, aims to create new points of contact within society through expression.

In 2026, exhibitions are planned in the city of Matsumoto from Sunday, November 8 to Sunday, November 22. This includes inviting artists from overseas for 'Dialogue Art A.I.R' (Artist In Residence) and holding an 'exhibition gathering 12 artists with disabilities from Nagano Prefecture'.

Now, we are launching the open calls for 'Dialogue Art SIGNALS (Manga/Digital Works Call)' and 'Dialogue Art IN HOSPITAL (Call for Works by Hospitalized Children)'. Selected works from these calls will also be exhibited in Matsumoto City from Sunday, November 8 to Sunday, November 22.

Application Period: Monday, June 1, 2026 – Monday, August 31, 2026

Entry Fee: Free

Planned Exhibition Venues: Matsumoto Art Center / Matsumoto Station / Shiori Hi

How to Apply: Please apply via the application form on the Nanairo website.

[Call 1] Dialogue Art 2026 SIGNALS (Manga/Digital Works Call)

Call for and exhibition of manga and digital works.

We are calling for and exhibiting manga and digital works themed around 'disability' and 'life difficulties'.

Dialogue Art aims to create new points of contact in society through expression. Please freely express your experiences and sensibilities regarding disability, life difficulties, minority status, feelings of alienation, loneliness, etc.

We welcome applications from all artists, regardless of disability status—whether they are directly affected, supporters, or simply interested. We welcome a wide range of expressions, including completed works, experimental pieces, personal records, and unfinished ideas.

[Overview]

Eligibility: Artists who are from Nagano Prefecture or reside in Nagano Prefecture.

Selection Benefits: Manga category prize: 30,000 yen / Digital category prize: 30,000 yen (*Multiple works may be selected).

Work Specifications: No specific format or size requirements as long as it can be submitted digitally.

[Categories]

*Submissions must be in digital format (video, image data, etc.).

Digital Works Category: Photography, animation, illustration, motion graphics, video works, music works, interactive works, AI works, web expressions, and other works using digital media (format unrestricted).

Manga Works Category: One-page manga, short manga, essay manga, four-panel manga, webtoons, experimental manga expressions, etc. (genre and format unrestricted).

[Theme]

Disability / Life difficulties / Diversity / Communication / Loneliness / Care / Points of contact with society / Minority / Coexistence (Interpretation of the theme is free).

[Call 2] Dialogue Art 2026 IN HOSPITAL (Call for Works by Hospitalized Children)

Call for works by children who are currently hospitalized or have experienced hospitalization.

In the isolated environment of a hospital, children possess rich sensibilities and unique perspectives but have limited opportunities to share them with society.

This project aims to create social connections for children with hospitalization experience by broadcasting their creativity and unique viewpoints to society, and to provide new points of contact for people living everyday lives to become aware of these children's existence.

[Overview]

Eligibility:

Individuals under 18 who are currently hospitalized in Nagano Prefecture or have experience being hospitalized.

Individuals who can recommend works by family members or acquaintances under 18 who are currently hospitalized or have experience being hospitalized.

Selection Benefits: Works will be selected from the submissions, and a token of appreciation will be given.

Participation Benefit: All exhibitors will receive one copy each of the 'Nanairo Calendar 2027' and the 'Dialogue Art 2026 Catalog'.

Work Specifications: Self-recommendations and recommendations by others are both acceptable. No restrictions on the form or size of the work.

Schedule

Application Period: Monday, June 1, 2026 – Monday, August 31, 2026

Review Period & Result Notification: All applicants will be notified of acceptance or rejection by email by Wednesday, September 30, 2026. (*Inquiries regarding selection results cannot be answered.)

Exhibition Period: Sunday, November 8, 2026 – Sunday, November 22, 2026

Opening Event: Sunday, November 8, 2026 (*Please feel free to join if your schedule allows.)

*The schedule is subject to change without notice. Changes will be announced on the website or SNS.

Support: Shinshu Arts Council (General Incorporated Foundation Nagano Prefecture Cultural Promotion Corporation) / East Asian Culture City 2026 Matsumoto Grant Project

What is Dialogue Art?

It is an art exhibition that displays artworks themed around 'disability' and 'life difficulties' in public shared spaces.

It is a Commons Art Project aiming for everyone to contribute to the benefit of the community through expression.

In Japan, 51.9% of people have never interacted with a person with a disability, a survey result that is notably higher compared to other countries. Amidst calls for diversity and inclusion, we believe there is a fundamental issue in that many people simply do not have opportunities to encounter 'disability'. We aim to create spaces for first knowing, mutual understanding, and communication (dialogue), and to expand activities that lead to expression.

[Dialogue Art Concept: Minority Empowerment]

What has always changed society has emerged from minorities. We want to convey that placing 'minorities' at the center of society leads to the richness of our local communities.

Overview of the General Incorporated Association Nanairo

'Creating points of contact between people with and without disabilities'

The General Incorporated Association Nanairo was established in 2022 with the mission of creating points of contact between people with and without disabilities. Through the planning and operation of the inclusive art project 'Dialogue Art', which displays art in the city, the implementation of dialogue workshops 'Nanairo Kaigi', the planning of creative projects utilizing art by people with disabilities, and the publication of web media and free papers, we aim to be a hub connecting welfare issues and social issues.