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Children Express Papua New Guinea’s Culture: West Goroka Primary School Design/Art Contest

Children Express Papua New Guinea’s Culture: West Goroka Primary School Design/Art Contest

［Goal 4］ Quality Education

2026.10.06

Student artworks on display at the J.K. McCarthy Museum

I am a JICA Volunteer working with the J.K. McCarthy Museum in Goroka, where I support activities related to cultural heritage conservation, information management, and digital preservation.

As part of an initiative to strengthen collaboration between the museum and local schools, the J.K. McCarthy Museum and West Goroka Primary School recently conducted a student design/art contest.

Students of West Goroka Primary School with their artworks, an art teacher and JICA volunteers.／First from the right: the author.

The idea was first discussed during an earlier visit to the school, with the aim of creating an opportunity for children to learn about their local culture and history and express what these mean to them through art. With the support of a JICA Volunteer in Youth Activities and the cooperation of school staff, the project was implemented after approximately four months of preparation.

Discussion with school representatives on the implementation and evaluation process for the Design/Art Contest.

A student receives a certificate during the award ceremony at West Goroka Primary School.

The theme of the contest was “My Culture and Traditional Heritage.” Students were encouraged to freely illustrate the culture, traditions, landscapes, and other aspects of Papua New Guinea that they considered important. The submitted work featured a wide range of subjects, including traditional dress and decorations, nature, buildings, animals, and local cultural practices.
The school and museum staff worked together to discuss the contest process and evaluate the submitted artwork. Following the selection, an award ceremony was held at West Goroka Primary School, where selected students received certificates jointly prepared by the school and the museum.

Following the activities at the school, the students’ artworks were subsequently displayed at J.K. McCarthy Museum, allowing community members and visitors to see how young people perceive and express their cultural heritage. Museum staff also assisted with preparing the exhibition. As this was the first design/art contest organized through this collaboration, a donation box was also placed in the museum, with the museum’s approval, to support future student art activities. Contributions will be managed by the museum and used for art materials and other costs related to future contests.

Museums have an important role in preserving cultural objects and historical records, but they can also provide a space for younger generations to engage with culture in the present. Through cooperation between the school and the museum, this project created an opportunity for students not only to learn about their cultural heritage, but also to interpret and express it in their own way.
What began with initial discussions between the school and the museum developed into a project in which students created artworks, received recognition at their school, and had their work exhibited at the museum. We hope to continue working with schools and local communities to create more opportunities for children to learn about, appreciate, and express their cultural heritage.

Student artworks on display at the J.K. McCarthy Museum, where they can be viewed by community members and visitors.

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