Year One in Review

Year One In Review

Established on 1 June 2017, the Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA) is an arts development organisation that develops and promotes Malaysia’s cultural economy. CENDANA is a ground-up effort that advocates and uplifts the cultural ecosystem.

CENDANA’s role is to: 

  1. Advocate for the Arts; 
  2. Build a vibrant and sustainable cultural economy;
  3. Bridge private and public stakeholders; and
  4. Increase national and international engagements with Malaysian arts.

CENDANA also serves as an advocate for policy change to spur the growth of the industry. 

CENDANA aspires to elevate Malaysian arts, and to showcase its diverse beauty on the local, regional and international stage, and to nurture the arts community so that it remains vibrant and sustainable.

CENDANA is the much-needed conduit between practitioners, regulating bodies, private investors, businesses, policymakers and consumers. To ensure that arts and culture transforms into a true cultural economic driver. 

Stimulating demand for Malaysian arts form the wider public and trade

Increasing opportunities of success for Malaysian artists and increasing quality of work

Advocate for policies and frameworks that encourage sustainable development of the cultural economy

For Malaysia to be known for its art and artist and for Kuala Lumpur to be recognised as a cultural and creative city. 

To develop the arts and culture sector into a true cultural economic driver.

Strategy
Milestones
In the past one year, CENDANA has engaged with practitioners, policy makers, stakeholders and the public with a sense of urgency in delivering on its mandate - guided by the 3 strategic pillars of Energising, Empowering and Reorganising the cultural sector. These 3 strategy act as our compass and have resulted in the following milestones for 2017:
Over RM 37 million in Economic Impact
Delivered a 15.9x Economic Multiplier

A total of 1,719 Industry Players Upskilled

More than 350,000 People Reached

CENDANA's Data Collection 

In a year, CENDANA collects and analyses a considerable amount of data, collated both internally and externally. Collecting data is a way of making sure that we achieve all of our key performance indicators, as well as a commitment to practicing accountability and transparency.

 As an organisation, we constantly search for new ways to present our data so it does not just look good but it also makes sense. We believe that data collection can help us assess better on what we can improve on, and establish an indispensable value for arts and culture as well as monitor the impact of our investments. 

So, how does CENDANA collect data?

 With CENDANA, data is collected on a regular basis. 

 Upon completion of every strategic and tactical effort, 

all beneficiaries, partners, etc. are required to submit a post-mortem/post-event report; 

 They are also required to complete an economic survey online. 

 The data collected is then analysed, evaluated, and translated based on international principles and methodologies for the purposes of reporting.

Building an ecosystem doesn’t happen overnight. 

Below is a timeline of activities that CENDANA carried out in its first year of operation.

2017

June 
2017

Commences operations as CEDU, or the Cultural Economy Development Unit.

July 2017

27th

MOU with Adelaide Festival Centre

Empower

  • To foster cultural exchange and sharing of artistic performances between Malaysia and Australia. 
  • Hosting masterclasses and knowledge sharing activities by Australian arts industry professionals in Malaysia. 
  • Professional development internship for local art practitioners at the Adelaide Festival Centre.

27th

Let’s JAM @ GEM

Empower

  • Supported and participated in a sharing session on strategies and tactics in the entertainment industry covering festivals, the digital space, events and cultural and creative industry think tanks. 
  • More than 50 participants took part. 

Aug 
2017

19th - 20th

Launch of RIUH

Energise
LEARN More

  • A curated event held once every month to showcase pop-ups, creative workshops and live performances to enrich the local community. 
  • CENDANA supports RIUH's performances and workshops. 

Sept
2017

6th

Official launch of CENDANA

  • Set up through MyCreative Ventures with RM20 million in seed allocation to stimulate demand for the arts, empower communities, and reorganise policies to spur the growth of the arts and culture industry. 

WATCH VIDEO

8th - 10th

Southeast Asia Music Education Exchange 2017

Empower
LEARN More

  • SEAMEX is the first dedicated marketplace for music education in Southeast Asia. CENDANA provided sponsorship for its 2017 edition.
  • Attracted more than 400 visitors while generating an economic impact of over RM850,000. 

14th - 15th

Borak Arts Series 2017

Empower
LEARN More

  • The Borak Arts Series is the only regional performing arts conference in Southeast Asia that brings together artists, presenters, producers, intermediaries and funders for a series of panel discussions, roundtable sessions, trade opportunities, networking platforms and performances.
  • The conference hosted 177 participants from across 12 countries, with CENDANA as a sponsor. 

16th - 17th

RIUH @ Malaysia Day

Energise

  • Second edition of RIUH was curated to coincide with Malaysia Day celebrations.
  • More than 8,700 people attended the weekend of activities.

LEARN More

23rd - 24th

Artist support at OzAsia Festival, Adelaide

Empower

  • CENDANA supported local artist Alena Murang for her performance at the OzAsia Festival 2017.

Oct
2017

21st - 22nd

RIUH @ Deepavali

Energise

  • With performances and workshops inspired by the festival of lights, RIUH drew a crowd in excess of 7,500 over the weekend. 

LEARN More

24th

Independent Music Community Engagement

Empower

  • Hosted an engagement session with the independent music community to understand their needs and challenges, and to find ways for CENDANA to support their community.
  • More than 30 participants took part. 

Nov 
2017

1st

KL Biennale 2017

Energise

  • CENDANA supported the inaugural KL Biennale that hosted more than 350,000 online and offline visitors at the National Art Gallery.
  • Organised by the National Art Gallery, the Biennale featured works from 12 countries including Malaysia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Palestine, Phillipines, Singapore, Sweden and Thailand. 
  • The KL Biennale aims to position KL as a must-visit city in the global art map, and to promote local contemporary art at the international level. It ran until 30th March 2018.

LEARN More

4th

Persatuan Teater Community Engagement

Empower

  • CENDANA was a panel speaker for a session with the Malay-language theatre community to understand their needs and challenges, and to find ways for CENDANA to support their community. 

7th - 
8th

Stakeholder engagement @ Penang 

  • CENDANA had 4 meetings with stakeholders in Penang including the Penang House of Music, ThinkCity, and Joe Sidek Productions on how they play a supporting role for the local arts community.

11th - 12th

RIUH @ Carnival

Energise

  • Over 9,000 people attended RIUH Carnival over the weekend, featuring pop-up stores & food stalls, live performances and workshops. 

LEARN More

16th

Southeast Collectors' familiarisation trip @ KL Colllectors' Weekend 2017

Empower

  • The KL Collectors' Weekend 2017 (KLCW 2017) hosted a Southeast Collectors' Familiarisation Trip which included gallery visits in the city centre, a visit to the KL Biennale, and networking sessions with 50 artists and professionals from the visual arts sector. 
  • CENDANA sponsored KLCW 2017 with the intent to introduce and promote Malaysian art to top Southeast Asian collectors. 

16th - 17th

Stakeholder Engagement @ Singapore 

  • CENDANA had 5 meetings with stakeholders in Singapore which included Singapore Arts Museum and National Gallery Singapore on their role in supporting the local arts community.

25th

Gallery Weekend KL 2017

Energise
Empower

  • GWKL 2017 involved approximately 350 contemporary artists and more than 20 galleries/institutions, and attracted over 2,500 visitors. Founded in 2016, GWKL presents a host of exhibitions, curated projects and talks to raise the profile and marketability of contemporary art.
  • CENDANA supported the Gallery Weekend KL 2017 in sponsorship.

LEARN More


Producers of Performing Arts Unite (PROPAU) engagement

Empower

  • CENDANA engaged with performing arts producers to understand their needs and challenges, and to find ways for CENDANA to support this community.


Coalition of Corporate Support for the Arts

Empower

  • Hosted the first Coalition of Corporate Support for the Arts meeting at Ilham Gallery for public and private funders.
  • This platform provides Malaysian funders of the arts an opportunity to learn, network, collaborate and build on efforts that will contribute towards a better ecosystem for the arts. 

Dec
2017

1st - 
2nd

RIUH @ Christmas 

Energise

  • RIUH @ Christmas attracted close to 10,000 people over the weekend with its multi-cultural programming featuring performances, workshops and pop-ups. 

LEARN More

4th

Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) 2017/2018 Pitching Session

  • From a list of 21 organisations, 7 organisations were selected to represent Malaysia at APAM 2018 by CENDANA’s Industry Advisory Panel. 

8th

Funding Clinic @ Kuching

Empower

  • The first Funding Clinic took place in Kuching. These clinics aim to work with local communities in building a vibrant, sustainable and ambitious cultural economy.
  • About 30 participants took part.

8th

Stakeholder Engagement & Media Roundtable @ Kuching

  • CENDANA had 3 meetings with stakeholders in Kuching which included the Tun Jugah Foundation and Arts Council Sarawak. CENDANA also hosted a media roundtable in Sarawak.

12th - 13th

Global Entrepreneur Conference

Empower

  • More than 1,000 members of the public were engaged via a dedicated booth to understand the role CENDANA plays to support the arts community.

14th

Funding Clinic @ Kuala Lumpur

Empower

  • The second Funding Clinic was held in Kuala Lumpur. 
  • More than 40 participants took part. 

16th

Artistlabs Accelerator Programme 2017/2018 - Audition

Empower

  • Artistlabs is Malaysia's first creative pre-accelerator program for creative entrepreneurs that runs over 4 weeks.
  • Selected participants were funded through a series of dialogues, a rigorous self-evaluation, intensive mentorship, and a creative festival to showcase their works. 
  • 22 companies participated in the audition, which drew approximately 60 audience members. 

LEARN More

30th - 31st

RIUH @ New Year's Eve

Energise
LEARN More

  • In 2017, CENDANA supported a total of 19 workshop sessions which brought in 25 facilitators and 236 participants.
  • Over 6 RIUH events, CENDANA supported a total of 45 performances which involved 213 artistes.
  • RIUH attracted an average of 8,200 visitors per weekend with an average of RM173,000 in sales for vendors.
  • RIUH's events in 2017 supported 190 vendors from the creative industry and created business platforms for 89 F&B vendors, which generated RM965,000 in revenue.
  • RIUH supported 1,000 technical staff and 100 part-timers. 

Policy & Advocacy

Reorganise

  • Worked with the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia to advocate for better policies for arts and culture performances performed in small, medium and public spaces (<500 capacity) as well as to streamline the PUSPAL process to prevent last minute cancellations of live concerts and events. 
  • Through this effort, CENDANA successfully lobbied to reinstate two major concerts that were about to be cancelled. These concerts contributed approximately RM25 million to KL's economy.

2018


Jan
2018

Emerging Artists Incubation Programme

Empower
LEARN More

  • Designed to support the creation, adaption or re-development of distinctive artistic content, be it performing arts, visual arts or independent music, with a maximum of RM30,000 per application. 
  • More than 300 applications were submitted.
  • 16 artists successfully received funding from CENDANA.

4th

Policy and Advocacy

Reorganise

  • After engaging with the Minister of Communications and Multimedia to advocate for better policies for the arts, the Minister in charge wrote to the Minister of Federal Territories proposing a joint effort to streamline existing policies to prevent last minute cancellations of live concerts and events. 

20th - 21st

RIUH @ Tropical Fiesta

Energise

  • Building on its success in 2017, RIUH continues to curate performances and workshops to provide the local community with cultural and creative content. 
  • CENDANA continues to support RIUH with workshops and performances. 

LEARN More

21st

Art In The City - Call For Submissions

Energise
LEARN More

  • Art In The City (to be launched in September) features enlarged images of artworks by grassroots and legendary artists on several buildings across downtown KL in partnership with DBKL.
  • More than 1,000 artworks were submitted for public voting, with more than 20,000 online votes logged.
  • This program partnered with DBKL for provisions in display spaces and licensing, and further exposed corporates like Bursa Malaysia and Maybank Foundation to visual arts, while showcasing other activations such as an art city trail and giant murals in downtown KL.

Feb 
2018

6th - 10th

Singapore International Foundation: The Artists for a Better World (ABW) Programme 2018

Empower
LEARN More

  • Organised by the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) to foster a community of practice that harnesses the power of arts and culture to create positive social change. The programme saw 29 international participants representing 13 nationalities journey through a series of webinars and two study visits in Singapore and Malaysia respectively. 
  • Founding CEO of CENDANA, Ms. Izan Satrina, was one of the many key leaders and practitioners who welcomed the ABW participants with exchanges of insights and open discussions on how the Malaysian community is shaping an inclusive community through the arts. 

7th

"KL as a Cultural and Creative City" Report Launch

Reorganise

  • A yearlong engagement based on research, data gathering, focus groups, and surveys with 309 industry participants and 400 audience members. 
  • The report which is an effort by CENDANA and its strategic partners serves as a guide for stakeholders to refer to in developing the cultural and creative economy for the rest of Malaysia.
  • The report also introduces 5 building blocks for a successful cultural and creative economy, and outlines the aspirational target for the industry to achieve a GDP of 3.0% and create 125,000 jobs by 2022.

LEARN More

8th

Visual Arts community engagement @ HOMS Art Trans

Empower

  • CENDANA had an engagement session with the visual arts community to understand their needs and challenges, and to find ways to support their community.
  • More than 30 participants took part.

9th

Artistlabs Accelerator Programme 2017/2018 - Demo/Pitch Day

Empower

  • A creative entrepreneurship platform made available to 25 of Malaysia's best creative entrepreneurs.
  • Valued at over RM250,000 per person that focuses on individuals looking to accelerate their Music, Literature, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Fashion and Crafts businesses.
  • Supported by CENDANA, the programme included a series of dialogues, a 4-week rigorous online course, intensive mentorship with global creative professionals, and placement with a world class international community of like-minded creative entrepreneurs.
  • Jointly supported by MaGIC and the Ministry of Finance.

LEARN More

10th

World Urban Forum 2018: "Culture As Catalyst for Change in Cities" Panel Discussion

Empower

  • CENDANA was a guest speaker at a panel discussion hosted at the World Urban Forum 2018 that explored questions around the role of arts and culture as a catalyst for change in cities. 
  • The World Urban Forum is organised by the UN-HABITAT every two years in a different city around the world. 

LEARN More

10th - 11th

Gong Xi RIUH

Energise

  • From Lunar Paper Art workshops to Lion Dance, Gong Xi RIUH provided entertainment and cultural engagement for children and adults.
  • A total of 8 performances and 2 workshops were programmed with support from CENDANA.

LEARN More

19th - 23rd

Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) 2018 delegation

Empower

21st

Policy and Advocacy

Reorganise

  • CENDANA engaged with DBKL's Socio-Economic Department (which is in charge of licensing and permit), to advocate for better "Standard Operating Procedures" that would streamline the permit application and event cancellation processes at PUSPAL and prevent last minute cancellation of live concerts and events. 

Mar 
2018

17th - 1st April

Bandar Aktiviti Seni Kuala Lumpur (BASKL)

Energise

  • A school holiday campaign featuring a collaborative effort with cultural stakeholders to stimulate demand, participation and consumption of the arts.
  • With 14 participating locations across KL, the campaign attracted more than 600 visitors.

LEARN More

24th - 25th

Retro RIUH

Energise

  • Retro RIUH borrowed from the past, entertaining the audience with performances inspired by P.Ramlee, Gamelan music and the likes.
  • 7 performances, 4 workshops and a theatre expo were supported by CENDANA.

LEARN More

Apr 
2018

4th

Policy and Advocacy

Reorganise

  • After engaging with all relevant stakeholders including Unit PUSPAL and industry players on the issue of last minute cancellations of live concerts and events, DBKL has agreed to a "Standard Operating Procedure" (SOP) that would streamline the permit application and event cancellation processes at PUSPAL to prevent last minute cancellation of live concerts and events as well as several other matters i.e. reduction of DBKL blanket fees (wang cagaran) for arts and culture events performed at small, medium and public spaces (<500 capacity), gazetting of arts and culture venues, etc. that would spur the growth of the arts and culture industry.
  • This is pending a Cabinet paper to be prepared by CENDANA for the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia to be tabled to Cabinet for approval. 

8th

Meet & Greet with Siti Saleha @ Carcosa Seri Negara

Energise

  • As part of the BASKL campaign, 10 lucky winners had the opportunity to get up close and personal with actress and BASKL ambassador, Ms. Siti Saleha.

12th

CENDANA & MATRADE collaboration; Official launch of Mobility Funding Programme

Empower

  • Offering an avenue for Malaysian artists to tap on MATRADE's export promotion funding programmes such as Market Development Grant (MDG) and Service Export Fund (SEF) - with a view to provide opportunities for local creatives to tap into the export markets.
  • Official launch of the Mobility Funding Programme which provides support to local artists to present high-quality works that express and enrich Malaysia's artistic diversity locally and abroad.

LEARN More

21st - 22nd

RIUH @ Safari in the City

Energise

  • 9 performances, 2 workshops and a theatre fair involving 6 theatre companies, all supported by CENDANA.
  • Thus far for 2018, RIUH has attracted approx. 40,000 visitors, featuring 236 artists, and involving 303 technical and support staff. 

LEARN More

24th

Mobility Funding Programme Clinic @ Ipoh

Empower

  • Funding clinic for artists and creatives in Ipoh on the Mobility Funding Programme.
  • More than 30 participants attended the clinic.

25th

Stakeholder Engagement @ Ipoh

  • Meetings with Institute Darul Ridzwan and JKKN Ipoh to explore opportunities to uplift the arts and culture industry.

May 
2018

5th - 7th

CENDANA's International Advisory Panel Meeting 2018

LEARN More

  • The international advisory panel members met in KL to discuss on wider cultural policies as well as exchange knowledge and expertise on international best practices.
  • The international advisory panel provides CENDANA with advice, recommendations, and access towards meeting its own vision and mission.
  • Made up of members from the National Arts Council Singapore, Australian Council for the Arts, BEKRAF Indonesia, Thailand Creative & Design Centre, and Creative Scotland.

6th

CENDANA's International Advisory Panel: Sharing Session with the Communities @ ZhongShan Building

Empower

  • A sharing session was organised to share with the local arts communities about the various international arts organisations’ key mission, opportunities and activities. 
  • About 50 participants attended the sharing session. 

12th - 13th

Arts Management Masterclasses featuring Adelaide Festival Centre @ RUANG by Think City

Empower

  • CENDANA organised and hosted the Arts Management Masterclass in partnership with the Adelaide Festival Centre's OzAsia Festival.
  • This masterclass was designed for practitioners, festival directors, artist, performers, producers and venue operators within the arts ecosystem and facilitated by experienced professionals from the Adelaide Festival Centre. 
  • A total of 114 participants attended the sessions over two days.

24th - 25th

Mobility Funding Clinic @ Kota Kinabalu & Stakeholder Engagement

Empower

  • Funding clinic for artist and creatives in Kota Kinabalu on the Mobility Funding Programme.
  • Over 50 applications were submitted while 30 participants attended the clinic.
  • Meetings with Sabah Arts Gallery and JKKN Sabah on potential collaboration and partnerships.

June 
2018

12th

OzAsia Festival Internship 2018

Empower

LEARN More

  • Earlier this year, CENDANA made a call for emerging arts administrators to intern for 6 weeks with the OzAsia Festival's programming team at the Adelaide Festival Centre.
  • This collaboration with the South Australian Government was launched through the Adelaide Festival Trust Centre in July 2017 to enable cultural exchange and sharing of artistic performances between Australia and Malaysia. 
  • Ms. Koe Gaik Cheng was selected among 15 applicants for the internship opportunity that will take place from 7th July until 19th August 2018. 

24th - 25th

MOU with Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE)

Energise

Empower

  • A collaborative partnership between CENDANA and KOFICE.
  • CENDANA will be facilitating an exchange programme entitled "The NEXT Fellowship" where a Korean fellow will be conducting research on the performing arts scene in Malaysia for 3 months.
  • CENDANA will provide networks and contacts to facilitate the research where the outcome of the research will be shared with CENDANA. 

Overview of performance to date (January - June 2018)

44 arts activities/events supported by CENDANA

121 industry players upskilled as a result of support from CENDANA

KL as a Cultural and Creative City Report endorsed by MyCreative Venture Sdn Bhd's Board of Directors on 16 March 2018

Value of economic multiplier from CENDANA's funding 
- to be ascertained end of 2018

Kuala Lumpur as a Cultural and Creative City Report – This report is an evidential analysis of the cultural and creative economy of Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley, with a proposed action plan to establish it as an internationally-recognised creative city. 

This project was initiated by ThinkCity and British Council Malaysia. Following that, other public and private partners participated, and this included CENDANA, the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM), Hasanah Foundation, Yayasan Sime Darby, and MyCreative Ventures. 

It was undertaken by a consortium comprising My Performing Arts Agency (MyPAA), Frost & Sullivan Malaysia, and Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy, a leading international expert on the cultural and creative economy. It was initiated in recognition of Kuala Lumpur’s immense potential for development and growth in this sector. Click here to read the report.

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