KUCHING: The recently announced RM160 million performing arts centre to train youths received a nod from Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) arts societies in Kuching.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government had allocated more than RM160 million to develop the Sarawak Performing Arts Centre to repurpose the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building to develop the state’s arts and culture industry, including music and TV.
He said this during the launch of the state level Youth Day celebration at the Asajaya Sports Complex on Dec 5.
Chairwoman of Sarawak Culinary Heritage and Arts Committee (SCHAC), Datin Donna Drury-Wee said that she welcomed the upcoming establishment of the performing arts center which is long overdue.
She added that as a state that is steeped with a vast history of crafts and arts, Sarawak has yet to really tap on the home-grown talents.
“Many of whom are self-trained or had the good fortune to study under a Master Degree whom themselves would have been self-trained.
“The performing arts center would allow the youths a chance to gain invaluable education, exposure and experience, on a local as well as international scale, with exchange programmes and visiting international lecturers and performers.
“For those that could afford to go overseas to train in performing art, we hope that this new centre will give more Sarawakians the opportunity to pursue their dreams and expand their imagination. Coupled with the launching of TV Sarawak (TVS), I see it as a great benefit to the arts in Sarawak,” she told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted on Tuesday (Dec 8).
When asked whether the establishment of performing arts centre could bring our local talents to the international market, Donna agreed that it would certainly bring greater exposure to our local talents as they embark on international shows — be it for tourism or commercial.
“As well as I said, with the exchange programmes and international lecturers and other performers coming.
“Certainly would need to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, as well as events organisers, and our own TV channel — which could be their first step into the world of professional performances,” she added.
President of Society Atelier Sarawak, Edric Ong added that he hopes that the allocation will not only spend on infrastructure and buildings, but equally spent on human resources throughout the state, and not just concentrated in Kuching or urban centers.
While for Datin Dayang Mariani Abang Zain, Advisor of Society Atelier Sarawak opined that the art societies have waited for something alike for Kuching.
“The venue should accommodate all performing facilities, from orchestra, concerts, theatre, dances & other kind of performing arts including staging of fashion shows.
“It’s a shame that we have the youngsters who are now into all these but had to stay away from home as there’s nothing for them here — and hopefully this will attract them to come home,” she stated.
Dayang Mariani also highlighted that the state had been training youths in traditional dances for quite sometimes, and having the centre in the pipeline could give them hope to be professional dancers.
“If not the worldwide class, at least within the region, especially with our different ethnic dances,” she concluded.
