Towards a Memorandum on the Arts in Penang

Towards a Memorandum on the Arts in Penang

Draft for discussion

Penang’s cultural assets – multiethnic traditions

Built heritage –Street of Harmony

Eclectic street culture

Thaipusm, menora

Hungry Ghost Festival

boria, lion dance, dondang sayang

Contemporary scene: Pop, band, orchestra, jazz, dance

Famous Penang musicians, poets, pioneers of modern painting(water colour, oil, batik)

Mohd Haji Salleh P Ramlee Chuah Thean Teng Yong Mun Sen Dennis Lee Cecil Rajendra Ah Gu

Why Support the Arts – New Source of Growth?

Positive Impact on Young People

sense of identity, encourage artistic, social and political expression, and keep the young away from unhealthy activities.

Arts and Tourism

generate new economic activities that support the tourism and service industries;

Arts and Local Economy

A local cultural industry will provide more opportunities for work and self-expression for professional musicians.

Prevent brain drain

Arts and Beyond

A place which is culturally vibrant can attract professionals to work in Penang who in turn can contribute to Penang’s economic productivity. (Singapore’s lively arts scene has attracted many expatriates to work there.)

Issues and Problems Regarding the Arts

1.Cultural Infrastructure- Performance venues and

rehearsal spaces- High cost of rental, last minute

cancellations

2. Regulations, Entertainment Tax and Management of the Arts

- Permits (city council –performance license); police (Permit for performance, road block); fire brigade (security); tax department (deposit for entertainment tax)

- Deposit for entertainment tax and displaying banners

3. Arts Events and Festivals

- platforms for DIVERSE CULTURAL GROUPS to showcase art works.

- foreign troupes

- local troupes

- CROSSOVER AUDIENCES

Mix of local and foreign performers (Pg Jazz festival, World Music Festival from Sarawak)

Little opportunity for local artists to Perform; no visual artists featured

4. Cultural Exchange and Training- Intercultural interaction- Raise standards

Action – What is needed to support the arts in Penang

1. Lower and standardize the rental rates of performance and rehearsal spaces in state-owned buildings for amateur arts groups.

2. Make accessible all public spaces such as youth centres to all arts groups

3. Abolish the Entertainment Tax and payment for displaying banners.

4. Activate the One-stop-centre for application of licenses, booking fo venues, administrating performance spaces etc.

5. Activate the Arts and Culture Information Counter Service and website

6.Support an annual Penang Arts Festival and other arts events that showcase local artistes

7. Support educational activities and cultural exchange programs to promote the development of the arts

8. Spread awareness of Penang’s heritage in the arts through special guide maps, info on billboards etc.

9. Allocate funds for the above

10. Set up an Arts Council or Action Committee comprising active members from the arts community to help the state monitor, network and manage the arts scene in Penang.