Top > Corporate Social Responsibility > Column: Setouchi International Art Festival 2010 Report > The Benesse Group and its Foundations
Benesse Holdings contributes to the creation of healthy local communities by promoting modern art and culture in collaboration with the Group's four foundations. Because the foundations' activities are financed by dividends from a shareholding representing approximately 6% of Benesse Holdings shares, the Company sees sustainable business growth and stable, continuous dividends as a way of continuing to support these foundations.
The Benesse Group and its Foundations 
(Japanese only)
The FUKUTAKE Science & Culture Foundation
Founded in 1985 to commemorate the Company's 30th year in business, this foundation honors founding President Tetsuhiko Fukutake's desire to contribute to society outside the Company's normal business activities. In addition to supporting research in the fields of history and geography since its establishment, this foundation launched the Seto Inland Sea Cultural Research Activity Support Grant in 2005, contributing to continuous regional development and improvement of the local culture.
Activities in fiscal 2010:
Staged The Seto International Symposium 2010 in five locations (Naoshima, Teshima, Inujima, Shodoshima and Takamatsu Port) from August 6 to August 8 to mark the 25th anniversary of the foundation. Grants totaling ¥44 million have supported 69 research projects and other activities relating to history, geography and the Seto Inland Sea.
Fukutake Education and Culture Foundation
In 1986, Benesse established a foundation to promote education in Okayama Prefecture, where Benesse's head office is located, and later a cultural foundation. These foundations were integrated in 2007 to form the Fukutake Education and Culture Foundation. This foundation aims to help create communities where children and the elderly can live vibrant lives from both educational and cultural perspectives by supporting them in learning, living, creating and communicating.
Activities in fiscal 2010:
In order to support activities that contribute to the educational and cultural development of Okayama Prefecture, the foundation offered various grants and awarded prizes such as the Tetsuhiko Fukutake Educational Award and the Fukutake Cultural Award. The foundation served as the Okayama Prefecture contact point for the Setouchi International Art Festival 2010, and hosted lectures and a performing arts company on Inujima.
Naoshima Fukutake Art Museum Foundation
The foundation was established in 2004 to coincide with the opening of the Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima. The foundation aims to revive local communities on three islands at present (Naoshima, Teshima and Inujima) through contemporary art that draws on the distinctive regional history, culture and nature, and convey the charms of these islands to the world.
Activities in fiscal 2010:
Along with the Setouchi International Art Festival 2010, which was staged on seven islands and the Takamatsu Port Area in the Seto Inland Sea, the foundation opened four art installations: the Lee Ufan Museum on Naoshima, the Teshima Museum and "Les Archives du Cœur" on Teshima, and Inujima Art House Project on Inujima. The foundation also showcased outdoor works of art.
Teshima Museum /
Photo: Osamu Nakamura
Fukutake Foundation for the Promotion of Regional Culture
This foundation was established in 2007 in order to achieve vibrant, active and unique regional cultures. Collaborating with local organizations, the foundation focuses on local residents, conducting creative, cultural activities in order to build communities, and supporting various programs including promoting regional industry.
Activities in fiscal 2010:
The foundation provided grants for the activities of 35 groups conducting creative, cultural activities using contemporary art in order to build communities, centered on local residents, and promoting regional industry. The foundation also promotes the "Hometown Tax System," which allows local residents to receive a tax rebate for funds donated to the local body of their choice to ensure that resources are available for art events of this type.
