Connecting Communities Through Disability Art: The 2nd "Co-op Kobe Happiness Art Contest" to be Held
Co-op Kobe will hold its second "Co-op Kobe Happiness Art Contest" to expand opportunities for expressive activities for people with disabilities and create connections with local communities. The theme for this year's contest is "My Dream," and entries will be accepted from May 1 to July 31, 2026. Winning entries will be featured in the 2027 original calendar.
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Co-op Kobe will hold its second "Co-op Kobe Happiness Art Contest" with the aim of expanding opportunities for expressive activities for people with disabilities and fostering connections with local communities. The first contest in 2025 received over 300 entries, generating a significant response. The theme for this second contest is "My Dream." We will be accepting artwork submissions from Friday, May 1, 2026, to Friday, July 31, 2026.
Promotional Flyer Front Promotional Flyer Back
■ Connecting Through Art: A Cycle of Disability Empowerment, Resources, and Employment
In its mid-term management plan, Co-op Kobe advocates for "supporting vibrant living and community building" and "promoting activities and business models that benefit the environment and society," thereby supporting the independence and social participation of people with disabilities.
Furthermore, for this contest, the 12 winning artworks will be used to create an "Original 2027 Calendar," and the production of this calendar will utilize recycled paper from waste paper generated at Co-op Kobe's business offices.
Co-op Kobe promotes the "Paper Spinning Project," which involves recycling copy paper from its offices using a dry office papermaking machine (nicknamed "Tamatsu Lab"). This process involves special subsidiaries for disabled employment and local welfare workshops. This contest is a circular project that connects "environmental consideration" and "employment support for people with disabilities" through art.
Calendar featuring winning works from the first contest
■ New Initiative for the 2nd Contest: Exhibitions at Some Stores to Integrate "Diversity" into Daily Life
This time, to allow more members and local residents to experience the artworks, we are newly considering exhibiting the works at some Co-op Kobe stores, in addition to last year's online exhibition. By creating opportunities to encounter disability art in daily shopping scenes, we aim to further deepen understanding of diversity in the local community.
■ 2nd "Co-op Kobe Happiness Art Contest" Implementation Overview
Item
Content
Application Theme
"My Dream"
Application Period
May 1, 2026 (Fri) - July 31, 2026 (Fri)
Eligibility
People with disabilities residing in Co-op Kobe's activity areas (Hyogo Prefecture, North Osaka area, Kyotango City)
Artwork Requirements
Original works created by the applicant themselves
(Watercolor, oil painting, pastel, colored pencil, paper cutting, digital art, etc.)
*Size: Within Yotsugiri drawing paper (542×382mm)
How to Apply
Fill out the necessary information on the application form
(https://www.coop-kobe.net/form/activity/hapiness.html)
and send the artwork to the address below:
Recipient: 〒658-8555 1-3-19 Sumiyoshi Honmachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Addressee: Co-op Kobe SDGs Promotion Department
"Happiness Art Contest Section"
Judging Method
① Exhibition and public visitor voting at Tamatsu no Tsudoiba "Tamarotto"
② Judging by selection committee members
Prizes and Benefits
■ Grand Prize: 1 winner ■ Excellence Award: 11 winners Certificates and supplementary prizes will be awarded.
Winning artworks will be adopted for the "Original 2027 Calendar."
*All submitted works are planned to be exhibited online on the official website.
Exhibition Information
1. Exhibition and judging will be held at Tamatsu no Tsudoiba "Tamarotto."
2. Online exhibition (official website)
3. Traveling exhibition at some Co-op Kobe stores (under consideration)
Organizers/Sponsors
Organizers: Co-op Kobe, Co-op Moving Co., Ltd.
Sponsors: Kobe City, Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, Hyogo Center for Supporting Arts and Cultural Activities for People with Disabilities
Scenes from the exhibition at "Tamarotto" Scenes from the previous awards ceremony
■ Future Schedule (Planned)
・May - July 2026: Artwork submission period
・August 2026: Exhibition and voting at Tamatsu no Tsudoiba Tamarotto
・November 2026: Selection judging, awards ceremony, calendar sales
Application Form QR Code
Keywords:
Promotional Flyer Front Promotional Flyer Back
■ Connecting Through Art: A Cycle of Disability Empowerment, Resources, and Employment
In its mid-term management plan, Co-op Kobe advocates for "supporting vibrant living and community building" and "promoting activities and business models that benefit the environment and society," thereby supporting the independence and social participation of people with disabilities.
Furthermore, for this contest, the 12 winning artworks will be used to create an "Original 2027 Calendar," and the production of this calendar will utilize recycled paper from waste paper generated at Co-op Kobe's business offices.
Co-op Kobe promotes the "Paper Spinning Project," which involves recycling copy paper from its offices using a dry office papermaking machine (nicknamed "Tamatsu Lab"). This process involves special subsidiaries for disabled employment and local welfare workshops. This contest is a circular project that connects "environmental consideration" and "employment support for people with disabilities" through art.
Calendar featuring winning works from the first contest
■ New Initiative for the 2nd Contest: Exhibitions at Some Stores to Integrate "Diversity" into Daily Life
This time, to allow more members and local residents to experience the artworks, we are newly considering exhibiting the works at some Co-op Kobe stores, in addition to last year's online exhibition. By creating opportunities to encounter disability art in daily shopping scenes, we aim to further deepen understanding of diversity in the local community.
■ 2nd "Co-op Kobe Happiness Art Contest" Implementation Overview
Item
Content
Application Theme
"My Dream"
Application Period
May 1, 2026 (Fri) - July 31, 2026 (Fri)
Eligibility
People with disabilities residing in Co-op Kobe's activity areas (Hyogo Prefecture, North Osaka area, Kyotango City)
Artwork Requirements
Original works created by the applicant themselves
(Watercolor, oil painting, pastel, colored pencil, paper cutting, digital art, etc.)
*Size: Within Yotsugiri drawing paper (542×382mm)
How to Apply
Fill out the necessary information on the application form
(https://www.coop-kobe.net/form/activity/hapiness.html)
and send the artwork to the address below:
Recipient: 〒658-8555 1-3-19 Sumiyoshi Honmachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Addressee: Co-op Kobe SDGs Promotion Department
"Happiness Art Contest Section"
Judging Method
① Exhibition and public visitor voting at Tamatsu no Tsudoiba "Tamarotto"
② Judging by selection committee members
Prizes and Benefits
■ Grand Prize: 1 winner ■ Excellence Award: 11 winners Certificates and supplementary prizes will be awarded.
Winning artworks will be adopted for the "Original 2027 Calendar."
*All submitted works are planned to be exhibited online on the official website.
Exhibition Information
1. Exhibition and judging will be held at Tamatsu no Tsudoiba "Tamarotto."
2. Online exhibition (official website)
3. Traveling exhibition at some Co-op Kobe stores (under consideration)
Organizers/Sponsors
Organizers: Co-op Kobe, Co-op Moving Co., Ltd.
Sponsors: Kobe City, Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, Hyogo Center for Supporting Arts and Cultural Activities for People with Disabilities
Scenes from the exhibition at "Tamarotto" Scenes from the previous awards ceremony
■ Future Schedule (Planned)
・May - July 2026: Artwork submission period
・August 2026: Exhibition and voting at Tamatsu no Tsudoiba Tamarotto
・November 2026: Selection judging, awards ceremony, calendar sales
Application Form QR Code
Keywords: