[Call for 2026 Free Concert Destinations] Eliminating the 'Experience Gap' for Children and Nurturing Rich Sensibilities. Free Participatory Classical Concerts by Professionals for Preschool Facilities, Supported by the Murakami Foundation.

Specified Nonprofit Corporation Minna no Kotoba (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter 'NPO Minna no Kotoba'), which nurtures children's hearts through music, has begun accepting applications for facilities to host 'Free Concerts' in fiscal year 2026. With the continuous support of the Murakami Foundation, this initiative delivers 'authentic experiences' that nurture the heart using all five senses to all children, regardless of their family or educational environment.

The application deadline is Monday, May 18, 2026. We look forward to receiving applications from kindergartens, nursery schools, certified childcare centers, facilities supporting children with disabilities, and more.

Click here for application guidelines and details.

The Deepening 'Experience Gap' for Preschoolers and the Blank Space in Public Support

At this time of year, as the new school term begins and children start growing in new environments, the issue of the 'experience gap' arising from family and preschool environments is drawing renewed attention.

While recent surveys (*) have shown that diverse experiences during early childhood directly lead to the improvement of non-cognitive skills and the stabilization of lifestyle habits, an increasing number of facilities are finding it difficult to secure opportunities to experience culture and arts due to soaring prices and operational constraints. In particular, public support such as the 'Project to Promote Children's Development through Culture and Arts' by the Agency for Cultural Affairs is mainly aimed at elementary and junior high schools, leaving a persistent lack of public funding for 'preschoolers'—a critically important period for physical and mental development.

To fill this 'blank space in support for preschoolers,' NPO Minna no Kotoba has been delivering 'Minna no Concert,' a participatory classical music program by professional musicians, as a non-profit activity since its establishment in 2009.

(*) Source: The Nippon Foundation and Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting, 'Survey on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Education Gap'

Realized at No Cost Through Partnership with the Murakami Foundation

To solve this social issue, the Murakami Foundation, which endorsed our philosophy, will continue to provide support in fiscal year 2026.

As a result, we will conduct concerts by professional quartets—which usually incur costs—completely free of performance fees. This is a perfect opportunity for preschools that had previously given up on professional performances due to budget constraints, and for teachers who wish to present a special experience to the children in their local communities.

Overview of the 2026 Application

Target Facilities: Kindergartens, nursery schools, certified childcare centers, facilities supporting children with disabilities, and other groups targeting preschool children. Cost: Full performance fee waived (Free). Application Deadline: Monday, May 18, 2026. Selection Method: Selection will be made based on the content of the application form, in line with the purpose of the activity. How to Apply: Please apply via the special page on the official website below.

Click here for application guidelines and details.

We Have Received Much Feedback from Facilities Visited in FY2025 (Selected excerpts)

From children: From teachers and participating parents: 'I was happy to see my 1-year-old daughter watching so intently and enjoying the music while occasionally swaying her body.' 'It was a valuable experience to be able to touch real instruments and sounds so closely.' 'After the concert, they started making instruments using toys and playing make-believe concerts; the experience connected to their daily lives and added color to their playtime.'

What is 'Minna no Concert'?: 45 Minutes of Enjoying with the Five Senses and Nurturing Expressiveness

There is no rule saying 'You must listen quietly.' It is a participatory program where children are bathed in the live performance of flute, violin, viola, and cello by professional musicians at close range; they move their bodies, sing, and experience the music with all five senses. It stimulates children's imagination, and the confidence of having 'experienced something authentic' becomes the foundation of self-esteem and rich expressiveness.

For details and past results of 'Minna no Concert,' please see here.

Minna no Kotoba Artists Details and Past Results of 'Minna no Concert'

[About NPO Minna no Kotoba] An NPO operating under the philosophy of 'Bringing authentic experiences that nurture the heart and sensibilities to all children.' Together with professional musicians, they hold high-quality interactive concerts tailored to children's developmental stages nationwide. To date, they have delivered music to a total of over 130,000 children.

[Organization Overview] Organization Name: Specified Nonprofit Corporation Minna no Kotoba (Tokyo Certified NPO) Established: March 18, 2009 Representative: Yuko Watanabe Location: 5F Musashi Building, 7-4-4 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Website: https://minkoto.org/

[About the Murakami Foundation] May Japanese society be stronger, kinder, and more resilient. We want to explore what we can do. Through specified purpose donations and grants to non-profit organizations working to solve Japan's social issues, the Murakami Foundation aims to ensure that more support continuously reaches the people and issues that need it, through repeated discussions with the organizations.