The Borak Arts Series is back for a second round, writes Aref Omar
BUILDING on 2013’s Borak Arts Series of Building Sustainability in the Arts, the successful conference will take on the theme of Building Knowledge Capacity In Funding And Mobility in this year’s edition.
Presented by My Performing Arts Agency (MyPAA), in collaboration with the National Department for Culture and Arts and Sime Darby Foundation, the event is the country’s primary regional networking platform for creative practitioners and business leaders from around the world.
During a meet with the Press at MyPAA office in Publika, Kuala Lumpur, MyPAA co-founder Izan Satrina said the conference targets local arts practitioners and companies that want to take their craft and works internationally.
One of the main challenges for those involved in the arts is the ongoing issue of funding and financing. “This conference will create a platform to share information and ideas on the challenges of acquiring funding from experienced practitioners around the world,” said Izan.
She added that the event will be the starting point for many conversations with partners outside the country, initiated either by MyPAA or by the artistes and producers actively investing in their international relationships.
INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUES
“Advocacy and networking creates other opportunities for Malaysian involvement in international dialogues, and the dissemination of information raises the profile of Malaysian work in international markets and the understanding of the international market context in Malaysia,” she said.
During the meet, Rumah Anak Teater executive producer Faisal Mustaffa and TerryandTheCuz director Govin Ruben, were also present to raise some issues affecting the local arts arena.
“The arts scene doesn’t get specific attention and allocation due to it sharing resources with the tourism sector,” said Faisal in reference to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
He added that the recent Budget 2015 announcement with its lack of support for the local performing arts sector was also a big challenge to arts practitioners.
For Govin, the issue stemmed from a case of not enough focus and allocations being given to the contemporary arts field. “Most of the allocation is focused on government programmes that are specifically related to the traditional arts,” he said.
Also present was MyPAA co-founder, Brian Johnson Loew, who said that hopefully all these issues will be addressed during the event and that the relevant parties will be able to work things out.
He added that the conference also aimed to provide international collaborative opportunities that will help foster a local performing arts ecosystem, as well as to serve as a competitive benchmark between local arts practitioners and their foreign counterparts.
He gave the example of last year’s Borak Arts Series, which had led to a string of collaborative projects with South Korea.
“That’s the reason why we’ve invited arts practitioners from countries like Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and more to be a part of this year’s conference,” he said.
To facilitate these dynamic exchanges of expertise for local and international collaborations during the conference, Country Updates, Info Cell Sessions and Round Table Sessions have been specifically created.
Among the distinguished speakers who will be sharing their views and knowhow at Borak Arts Series 2014, are Valentina Riccardi, project manager of Culture Department at Asia-Europe Foundation (Singapore), Datin Marion D’Cruz, co-founder of Five Arts Centre (Malaysia), Hamdan Abdul Majeed, executive director of Think City (Malaysia), Gareth Farry, Aotearoa New Zealand Arts manager of British Council New Zealand (New Zealand), Yohann Floch, adviser of Fresh Arts Coalition Europe (Sweden) and Member On The Move (Belgium), Jean-Yves Coffre, board member and director of Camac-Centre d’Arts Marnay Art Centre (France), Monica Turner, project officer of Culture Asia New Zealand Foundation (New Zealand), Taneo Kato, executive director of Association For Corporate Support of the Arts, Kigyo Mecenat Kyogikai: KMK (Japan), Samuel Seow, managing director of Samuel Seow Law Corporation (Singapore) and Suryani Senja Alias, managing director of CULT (Malaysia).
CRITICAL TOPICS
Topics at this year’s conference include What Is The Value Of Culture, Getting To Know Our International Funder Partners, Investing Time In Networks, Arts And Cultural Support For A Creative And Vibrant Society, and Cultural Entrepreneurship And Innovation.
Borak Arts Series 2014 is supported by Japan Foundation, the French Embassy in Malaysia, Culture 360.org, the NSTP Group, MAP KL Publika and Boh Plantations.
MyPAA, a member of the International Society of Performing Arts, is a privately owned arts agency with the express goal of supporting the continuing development of artistic and cultural efforts in the country by bridging the gap between the public, the private and the performing arts.
It aims to create an ecosystem that supports an environment for creative entrepreneurs, nurture a diverse and highly skilled arts workforce and increase the number of people experiencing the arts.
Borak Arts Series 2014
When: Nov 22-23, 9am-6pm
Where: MAP KL, Publika, Jalan Dutamas 1, Kuala Lumpur
Admission: RM108 (MyKad holder) & RM148 (Non-MyKad holder) for the two-day conference, inclusive of lunch and tea breaks.
Details at www.ticketonline.com.my (tickets) and www.mypaa.com.my/borakarts (full programme)