Kyoto University of the Arts to Host 'Summer Online Experience Classes' from July 18, Offering Art Education from Home for Approximately 19,000 Enrolled Students

The Faculty of Distance Education at Kyoto University of the Arts (KUA, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City / President: Takashi Sato) will host the 'Summer Online Experience Classes' from Saturday, July 18, 2026, to Friday, July 24, 2026.

In recent years, interest in reskilling and the concept of a '100-year life' have increased public attention toward distance-learning universities that allow individuals to study while working or managing household responsibilities. KUA’s Faculty of Distance Education has been a pioneer in this trend, leading the way in distance art education in Japan.

Established in 1998 as the first four-year distance education program at an art university in Japan, KUA has grown into one of the largest art-focused distance learning institutions in the country, with approximately 19,000 students enrolled across undergraduate and graduate programs.

Over the past five years, the university has added five new courses, doubling its student enrollment. Students ranging from their teens to their 90s are pursuing personal growth, career retraining, and self-fulfillment through diverse learning paths.

Leveraging its extensive experience and expertise, KUA is offering this accessible online experience program, open to participants nationwide from the comfort of their homes. Multiple courses can be attended at different times, with no requirement to turn on cameras or microphones during class. Participants may join or leave at any time, making it ideal for beginners to explore art education in a relaxed environment.

This year’s lineup also includes the 'Museum Practice Course,' set to launch in April 2027. This course will provide hands-on training in exhibitions, curation, and internships at the university’s affiliated museum, offering practical approaches to sharing culture with society. Participants can experience this forward-looking program designed to cultivate future 'cultural connectors.'

Event Overview

'Summer Online Experience Classes' · Period: July 18 (Sat) – July 24 (Fri), 2026 · Format: Fully online (via Zoom webinar) · First-come, first-served / Pre-registration required · Participation fee: Free · Registration: Apply via the dedicated website.

※ Registration will close once capacity is reached. ※ Registered participants will receive the access URL via email from the administrative office. ※ No camera or microphone use is required during classes. Entry and exit during sessions are permitted, allowing for flexible participation.

Schedule

● July 18 (Sat) 10:00–11:30｜Literature Course 13:30–15:00｜Food Culture Design Course, Architectural Design Course

● July 19 (Sun) 10:00–11:30｜Spatial Design Course 13:30–15:00｜Music Course 17:00–18:30｜Landscape Design Course

● July 20 (Mon) 10:00–11:30｜Film Course, Japanese Painting Course, Ceramics Course 13:30–15:00｜Graphic Design Course, Calligraphy & Ink Painting Course, Textile & Dyeing Course 17:00–18:30｜Art Liberal Arts Course, Oil Painting Course, Photography Course

● July 21 (Tue) 19:00–21:00｜Joint Session: Three Courses from the Art Department (Art Studies, Historical Heritage, Traditional Japanese Culture)

● July 23 (Thu) 19:00–20:30｜Museum Practice Course [First-time offering]

● July 24 (Fri) 19:30–21:00｜Illustration Course

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

The on-campus program (Faculty of Art, 10 departments, 24 courses) emphasizes the relationship between 'art and society,' implementing over 100 'social implementation projects' annually in collaboration with corporations and local governments. These initiatives use art and design to address real-world social challenges through practical education.

The distance education program (5 departments, 20 courses), established in 1998, was Japan’s first four-year art university distance learning program. It attracts a diverse student body from across Japan and overseas, making it one of the largest private art universities by enrollment in the distance education sector. The university provides an inclusive environment where individuals of all ages and experience levels can pursue art education.

Address: 2-116 Kamoike-yamashita, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8271

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

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