INITIATIVES TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND ORGANIZATION OF UNDER DEVELOPED CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS
As the Government recognizes differences in the growth and visibility of various contemporary cultural expressions in Indonesia, it has initiated exceptional efforts to identify and support any form of cultural expression that requires special assistance for development. Typically, the Government will seek out cultural expressions that are not yet well-organized or lack activities at the national level. Through this special programme, the Government aims:
- to showcase works and increase awareness of under developed cultural expressions, including contemporary forms of creativity;
- to facilitate creativity through opportunities for knowledge-sharing and collaborations among producers and performers of underdeveloped cultural expressions; and
- to provide business knowledge and skills for individuals and institutions that have interest in developing the under developed cultural expressions as part of the creative economy industry.
Among the various cultural expressions that have received special assistance for development from the Government, three will be shared as examples, which are photography, sculpture, and street art. Despite photography being a popular form of cultural expression in Indonesia, it lacked coordination among its stakeholders at the national level, hence leading to a lack of national exhibitions and workshops, as well as lack of appreciation and protection for the works of photographers. As a result, in 2014 the Government supported the implementation of the National Photography Congress that mainly aimed to establish the Indonesian Photography Community. Attended by 80 participants from 17 provinces, the Congress also held a seminar on intellectual property rights and non-formal photography education system.
For Indonesian sculpture, the Government has facilitated an annual national exhibition since 2012. Each year a different technique of sculpture making has been presented, starting with fiber in 2012, metal in 2013, and wood in 2014. The 2014 event exhibited 120 works from 47 artists originating from six major art cities across Indonesia, while also hosting discussions on various topics, including the potential of local works in a global competitive marketplace, as well as three workshops on local wood sculpture designs for the international market, the use of wood waste to create new sculpture, and Balinese wood carving.
Street art is a relatively new form of art in Indonesia, hence the rarity in recognizable events hosted. In 2015, the Government supported the implementation of the Free But Polite Exhibition, which hosted the works of 14 Indonesian artists, either presented live or captured in digital images. The event also hosted a talk show involving recognized street artists and a discussion forum.
Specific expected results were not available at the time of writing this report.
State Budget, although exact numbers were not available during information collection.
There is a need for:
- policies, laws and regulations, as well as institutions to protect creative workers in developing businesses of cultural expressions; and
- Government assurance for improved availability in funds to support the creativity of creative workers.