Introduction of us

Program Director

Mikio Sugiura

Mikio Sugiura was born in Ikebukuro,Tokyo. After graduating from Department of Aesthetics and Art History,Faculty of Fine Arts,Tokyo University of the Arts,completed master's degree of Urban Policy Course,Graduate School for Creative Cities,Osaka City University.
After working as a senior researcher of Think Tank, a member of faculty, an NPO corporation which supporting Creative Industry, he served as a program director of Okinawa Arts Council (Okinawa Prefectural Culture Promotion Foundation) until March 2016 and he was given a post as program director of Arts Council Niigata since its has established.He is a specialist on cultural policies, local policies such as urban industries. Also he has served as a lecturer in arts management at Jissen Women's University. Enjoy eating around local food and like fishing.

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Program Officer

Takahiro Ishida

Takahiro Ishida was born in Akiha ward, Niigata City. He majored in Architecture and Urban planning, and graduated from Graduate school of Science and Technology, Niigata University. He was involved in the affairs department and social education department at Yahiko village office.On the other hands, he planned and managemented of art projects that utilized Japanese traditional town house which called Machiya, and involved in the town planning activities of Kosudo district. He has served as program officer of Arts Council Niigata since Jury 2018.He likes walking histrical town,and also comparing sake.

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Ichiko Negi

Ichiko Negi was born in Hachioji city, Tokyo. She graduated from the Department of French Literature, Faculty of Letters, Aoyama Gakuin University. Currently attending master’s course in Graduate School for Cultural and Creative Studies, Aoyama Gakuin University. She was working as internship student in the Agency for Cultural Affairs and Wacoal Art Center. After working for Cultural Programs Press Center Project at Kyodo News, she was given a post as program officer in Arts Council Niigata April 2019. Like going to live concert and art museums.

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Ako Oura

Born in Niigata city, Japan. Got a Bachelor’s degree of International Business at Auckland Institute of Studies in New Zealand. After the graduation, I started my career at an American owned chemical company in my home town. Then, worked at The Niigata Bandaijima Art Museum, Niigata University, Niigata Industrial Creation Organization and ran a self-owned business as a millinery. Given a post as a program officer in Arts Council Niigata from April 2022. “My favorite things” are Jazz, travel and craftsmanship.

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Ayano Takahashi

Born in Higashi Ward of Niigata City, Japan. Graduated from College of Comparative Culture, University of Tsukuba. After the graduation, I started my career at Akiha Ward Culture Center in the role of managing cultural projects. Then, given a post as a program officer in Arts Council Niigata from September 2016 (assigned from September 2016 to March 2021, and from April 2022 again). During the first assignment period, I took a five months training at ROHM Theater Kyoto in 2017 with domestic professional fellowship obtained from Japan Council of Performers Rights and Performing Arts Organizations. I love watching Sumo wrestling and comedy programs which named Shoten on TV with eating Senbei; Japanese yummy rice cracker.

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Susumu Nakanishi

Born in Nagano city, Japan. Graduated from Senshu University, Faculty of Law, Department of Law. Works for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (formerly the Ministry of Home Affairs) as a national civil servant. From April 2019, seconded to the JAFRA(Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities), and involved in the planning and management of support projects and training for public cultural facilities. Given a post as a program officer in Arts Council Niigata from July 2022. My hobbies are music and manga.

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Illustration

Riku Yasunaga

Riku Yasunaga was born on 1994, lives in Agano City. He plays a part in maintaining the park,supporting agriculture,cultivating Shiitake mushrooms in Aozora sorashi-do. He is not good at talking because he has autism and intellectual disability. However he has a talent for painting human cynically, animals in pastel.Portraits which he has painted as artistical art tell us humanity of each. To paint portraits of athletes in Tokyo 2020 Olympic Paralympic Games is his dream.

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