KUCHING: The Sarawak Arts Council (MSS) will continue programmes and activities for the development and promotion of the arts through strategic collaboration with various parties next year.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said capacity development programmes will attract more people to venture into the creative industry that is capable of generating higher income and providing new job opportunities.
“At the same time, MSS is preparing for the establishment of the Sarawak Academy of Arts (AKSES) parallel with the construction of the Sarawak Performance Arts Centre,” he said in his winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here on Today (Nov 30).
He said, MSS through the MySENI grant has approved a total of RM820,000 to 44 applicants consisting of 16 individual art activists, eight associations and organisations, five clubs, public and private institute of higher learning and 16 companies related to arts.
“The grant has received positive response from industry players in encouraging and helping them to implement various arts and cultural programmes and activities in all parts of Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said 20 programmes and activities have been implemented under MSS which includes art capacity development programmes such as art training, art guidance classes, art workshops covering various fields such as dance, music, theatre, vocal, visual and literature.
“The programmes were held in various urban and rural locations and involved the participation of 1,000 artists and local people of various ages, gender and race,” he added.
Fifty community development progammes related to arts were also organised such as art performances, dance and singing competitions, exhibitions, seminars, briefings, art awards, podcasts and art workshops involving cooperation and collaboration with various agencies.
In order to ensure that art heritage remains authentic, he said MSS has also strengthened its cooperation with local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak, Dayak Cultural Foundation, Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Sarawak Malaysia (FORUM), Melanau Association, Chinese Association, Indian Association and other local art associations.
In an effort to inculcate and promote art and culture in the country and abroad, he said MSS was involved in various art performances such as MATTA Fair, Borneo Jazz, Citrawarna to name a few, with the participation of approximately 5,000 activists, artists, Friends of Sarawak Art and community from various fields.
On the international level, he said MSS collaborated with the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) for overseas performances during tourism roadshows in 10 countries namely London, Paris, Korea, Singapore, Germany, India, Italy, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
