MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 Announces Winners of 'Student Creator Encouragement Award'!

The award ceremony for MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026, where Kyoto University of the Arts (Kyoto City, Sakyo Ward / President: Takashi Sato) serves as a Silver Partner, was held on Saturday, June 13, during which the Premiere Ceremony revealed the top works and artists.

As part of its initiative to support student music creators, Kyoto University of the Arts has collaborated on the newly established 'Student Creator Encouragement Award: STUDENT MUSIC CREATORS CHALLENGE in association with Kyoto University of the Arts' at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026.

Ten nominated works were selected from music tracks distributed via TuneCore Japan, with brooks (Brooks) winning for their song 'anna's cradle'.

The presenter was Koji Koyama, a television writer and Vice President of the university, who presented the prize: 150,000 yen worth of tuition for the university's public lecture series, 'Geijutsu Gakusha'.

Winner Profile

brooks

Active since 2024, the group pursues high-quality sound rooted in rhythm & blues and psychedelic rock. They released their first album, 'maison brooks', in September 2025, and also performed at 'Ringo Music Festival 2025'.

[Comments from the winners]

We are truly delighted to have received this prestigious award.

We didn't expect to win, so we're surprised, but above all, we're proud that our dedication and DIY (do-it-yourself) spirit have been recognized.

Our members are based in Tohoku, Fukuoka, and Tokyo—truly a collection of coincidences. In an era of rapid change, including AI advancement, we've persistently pursued our unique sense of 'fun' and 'humor' without compromise.

This award is not the finish line, but a stepping stone toward the next level.

We will continue moving forward, never forgetting the excitement, aiming to create works that are widely and enduringly loved. We will keep collaborating with our members to keep doing interesting things.

(Reference) Kyoto University of the Arts' Distance Education Division 'Music Course'—Nurturing Future Music Creators

The university's Distance Education Division will launch a bachelor's degree program in the 'Music Course' in April 2026, offering fully online, no-attendance-required music production studies. Over 600 applicants have already applied for the first year.

In addition to sponsoring the 'STUDENT MUSIC CREATORS CHALLENGE', the university will continue to focus on cultivating and supporting future music creators from all backgrounds.

Kyoto University of the Arts, Distance Education Division, Faculty of Arts, Department of Arts, Music Course URL: https://www.kyoto-art.ac.jp/t/course/music/

About Kyoto University of the Arts Kyoto University of the Arts is Japan's largest comprehensive art university, with approximately 24,000 students enrolled across both on-campus and distance education programs. The university will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027.

The on-campus program (Faculty of Arts, 10 departments, 24 courses) emphasizes the relationship between 'society and art,' implementing over 100 'social implementation projects' annually in collaboration with corporations and local governments. It provides practical education that uses art and design to solve real-world social issues.

The distance education program (5 departments, 19 courses), established in 1998, is Japan's first four-year art university distance learning program. It attracts diverse students from across Japan and overseas, making it one of the largest art universities among private distance-learning institutions in Japan. It provides an environment where anyone, regardless of age or experience, can study art.

Address: 2-116 Kitashirakawa-Uryu-yama-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8271

URL: https://www.kyoto-art.ac.jp/

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