CREATIVITY - THE ARTS & THE FUTURE OF PENANG
A Proposal by the Penang Arts Alliance
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
(See separate Arts Memorandum for details)
The Penang Arts Alliance (PAA) comprises an assemblage of diverse art-groups with a shared passion and vision based on equity and social inclusion for the development and sustainability of the Arts Industry in Penang. PAA acknowledges that the formulation of a Policy for Creative Arts based on the CAT principles avowed by the Pakatan Rakyat state government will enable PAA to articulate this vision.
Given Penang’s rich legacy and ongoing celebration of the creative arts - music, visual arts, theatre, storytelling, and multi-ethnic performance culture, Penang is set to play a central role for the Arts Industry within the wider context of the state’s development.
PAA is therefore convinced that the Arts Industry can provide Penang with a dynamic and innovative edge. This in turn will have a significant and positive impact on the cultural vibrancy, sustainability, social cohesion and harmony of our state. Support for the local Arts scene will also contribute significantly to Penang’s target of becoming a major regional tourism hub.
Ø The Arts industry should be strongly rooted in our diverse and rich local experience, locally controlled and locally driven. It should be built on the assets already owned by the Penang community.
Ø PAA proposes the creation of a cultural hub – defining a geographical area as having a particular role in celebrating the arts and disseminating arts-related information. (Suggested area to include Dewan Sri Pinang, the Esplanade Town Hall, Padang Kota and Fort Cornwallis).
Ø PAA proposes the support of an iconic arts festival e.g. Penang Traditional Arts Festival as a flagship event that celebrates Penang as a leading world centre of heritage, culture, tradition and the creative arts.
Ø PAA proposes the setting up of an Action Committee comprising active members from the arts community and public sector departments of government to monitor, network, champion and manage the arts industry in Penang.
CURRENT HURDLES
- lack of systematic information dissemination on activities
- bureaucracy and red tape by government in permitting performances and in imposing tax
- lack of funding and sponsorship for projects
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Structural
- revisit the Majlis Kebudayaan Negeri (MKN) to widen its membership and inclusiveness, and define more strongly its objectives
- establish a one-stop centre to attend to all necessary permits, licenses, booking of venues, and other related administration
2. Policies
-make accessible all public spaces such as youth centres to all arts groups
-base funding policy on the principles of transparency and inclusiveness, with a key objective to support a wide range of local, sustainable arts activities, by also encouraging private sponsorships
-lower and standardise rental rates of performance and rehearsal spaces in state-owned buildings for amateur arts groups. (For example: Dewan Sri Pinang, P. Ramlee Auditorium, Auditorium A Komtar and the Town Hall)
- abolish the Entertainment Tax for ticketed performances by NGOs.
3. Marketing & Promotions
- establish an Arts and Culture Information centre
- establish a dedicated Penang arts and culture website
- promote proactive media interest - state government spokespersons to be active in promoting arts activities and related possibilities to the media
4. Organizational
- the state government to actively support, promote and disseminate existing project events such as the Living Heritage Treasures of Penang Awards, Penang Sculpture Project and the Little Penang Street Market.
- To promote cultural exchange through workshops and educational programs such as Anak-Anak Kota, PESSOC (Junior Orchestra), PSO, Temple of Fine Arts & schools Boria competition.
CONCLUSION
Developing a policy for the Arts in Penang should be seen as an integral part of an overall development strategy for our state
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