KUCHING: The upcoming Performing Arts Centre is set to become an internationally recognised arena for performing arts activities in Sarawak.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the establishment of Sarawak’s own Performing Arts Centre will boost the growth and development of the performing arts industry in the state.
“Therefore, the need to renovate and upgrade the old DUN building is crucial to meet the needs of arts enthusiasts in Sarawak, as there is currently no dedicated space for this purpose.
“This centre will also provide facilities for artistes and the younger generation to hone their interests and talents in the field of creative and performing arts.
“The project scope will involve renovation, upgrading, and interior redesign works to transform the old Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) building into a complete performing arts centre with facilities such as a theatre hall, studio theatre, multipurpose hall, black box room, and other related facilities,” he said.
He said this during the launching and handover ceremony of the Project Site of the Performing Arts Centre at the Old DUN Building here on Thursday (May 2).
Furthermore, Abdul Karim added that the project, with a total cost of around RM250 million, will engage experts for components such as audio, visual, acoustics, lighting, and state-of-the-art stage systems.
“This centre will be equipped with world-class technology aimed at attracting international art enthusiasts to organise performing arts activities in Sarawak, thereby indirectly placing the state on the world stage.
“This project also involves a very specialised area, in acoustics and sound; and not many people are skilled in this field. This is why we are bringing in experts from the United States,” he said.
Upon its completion in 2027, Abdul Karim added, the Performing Arts Centre will be handed over to the Sarawak Arts Council (MSS) to elevate development programmes and artistic activities in Sarawak.
These programmes will involve various art forms such as music, dance, vocal and theatre performances, visual arts including painting, sculpture, and murals, alongside literary works such as poetry, language, and prose, and virtual arts like animation, videography, and social media.
Additionally, he said the Ministry is actively fostering the creative industry’s development by organising Townhall sessions across all divisions in Sarawak.
“So far, the Ministry has held Townhall sessions in the Kuching, Samarahan, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri divisions, while sessions for other divisions will be held soon.
“These sessions aim to share information and aspirations of stakeholders regarding the direction of the creative industry in Sarawak, as well as promote initiatives and programmes related to the creative industry conducted by my Ministry,” he said.
Also present were Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts deputy ministers Datuk Sebastian Ting and Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
