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Malaysian Creative Industry Set For A Comeback With ‘Art In The City 2021’

Malaysian Creative Industry Set For A Comeback With ‘Art In The City 2021’

AITC’s first iteration was in 2018 and this year boasts more than 100 dynamic, colourful and optimistic programmes.

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Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.

George Bernard Shaw, playwright, literary critic, Nobel Prize for Literature

And unbearable it was for many whose livelihoods and sanity depended on the arts to get through the last year and a half.

But October is a good month because most of the country has moved to Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) and that means Malaysia’s arts and culture industry is gearing for a major comeback.

Art In The City, And Our Hearts  

The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac), one of the country’s renowned performing arts centres, was brought to life again yesterday evening (30 September) with Communications and Multimedia Minister (KKMM) Tan Sri Annuar Musa launching Art In The City (AITC) 2021.

(Credit: KKMM / Facebook)

The initiative, which runs from October to December this year, aims to jumpstart Malaysia’s arts and culture industry.

Expect a focus on an array of music, dance, craft, theatre, film dance, food, heritage and history with a diverse line-up of exciting forums, masterclasses, dialogues, product launches and exhibitions in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, as well as selected cities across Malaysia. 

AITC 2021 is one of the Cultural Economy Development Agency’s (CENDANA) leading art platforms that engage with the public.

This year will have 9 main programmes and more than 100 activities.

Some highlights include:

Kuala Lumpur Creative Economy Forum (CEF), 14 October at 9:30 am via Zoom

A collaboration of celebrated local and international creative minds to connect for the future of Malaysian arts. Scheduled to attend will be Jason Bevan, the person behind the innovation and creativity process at Warner Bros. Studios, marketing legendary movies in EMEA from the Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts Films and The Dark Knight trilogy to the Lego Movies.

Cendana Open Arts Classes, 29 October – 21 November via Zoom

A series of free weekend classes by renowned artists and gurus in Malaysia.

(Credit: AITC 2021)

Projek Light, The Light Project, 12 November – 12 March 2022

An art installation that aims to ‘light up’ the following six cities: Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth, Batu Pahat, Ipoh, Melaka, and Kuching. There will also be curated performances to inspire the nation, along with the arts and culture sector, with the message of hope and light to rise from the pandemic.

KLWKND, 25 – 28 November 20201, Kuala Lumpur

A 4-day festival across Kuala Lumpur with dance, music, workshops, talks, screenings, food experiences and more.

(Credit: AITC 2021)

For more information on AITC 2021, visit their website at https://baskl.com.my/aitc

A Revival of the Country’s Economy And People

With the launch of AITC 2021, 2,000 additional job opportunities will be created.

The ministry is committed to supporting wholeheartedly the arts and culture industry which plays an important role in the country’s economic growth.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa via Malay Mail

Annuar also added that the government recognises the importance of arts and culture in revitalising the country, not only from an economic standpoint, but also from a people perspective.

Meanwhile, Cendana CEO Izan Satrian Mohd Sallehudin has lauded the government’s efforts to support the recovery of the arts and culture industry.


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