An initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Cultural Economy Development Agency’s (CENDANA) #BASKL Arts Excursion Programme (AEX) kicked off the year with hosting students from SK Sungai Melut (Asli) at Galeri Shah Alam today. Thirty six (36) standard three (3) to standard six (6) students were provided with experiential learning through a guided visit to the visual arts exhibition and participation in an art workshop. An extension of the Bandar Aktiviti Seni KL (BASKL) destination awareness campaign, AEX is a subsidised arts excursion programme for public primary schools to have their students gain first positive experiences in the arts. It is designed to nurture interest and appreciation for the arts as extra-curricular activities to complement the existing school arts education syllabus.

CENDANA Founding CEO, Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin today shared that the Arts Education Schemes were part of the recommendations from CENDANA’s KL as a Cultural and Creative City Report (that was launched in 2018), which hopes to address the gaps in the market when it comes to appreciation of arts and culture in the country. Izan was sharing the journey when hosting the SK Sungai Melut (Asli) students at Galeri Shah Alam today.

“We are delighted to be bringing back #BASKL Arts Excursion Programme after hosting 40 participants from SK Sungai Melut (Asli) who enjoyed themselves tremendously at the Galeri Shah Alam today. The 36 Orang Asli students and their 4 teachers had a tour of the gallery and took part in an arts workshop as well. CENDANA hopes to promote equal opportunities to primary schools from sub-urban, rural and B40 schools including Chinese and Tamil public primary schools. Orang Asli and special education-needs schools will also be given priority,” remarked Izan Satrina.

The call for applications for the first cycle of AEX was announced on 25 June 2019, when eventually, more than 2,000 students from 25 primary schools in Klang Valley were selected to undergo the program. Under AEX, CENDANA undertakes the cost for 108 students and accompanying teachers per school, of up to RM 5,000, which includes the following:

• Return transfer via a school bus within a radius of fifty kilometres (50km) from the school;
• Food and beverage for the students and accompanying teachers of up to 40 pax per bus;
• Insurance for students and the accompanying teachers.

The second call for application will open on 4 February 2020 and interested public primary schools may apply via www.cendana.com.my . The application closes on 13 March 2020. AEX is piloted in Klang Valley, whilst CENDANA’s Artist In School Programme is piloted in Klang Valley and Sabah schools with a roll-out in Sarawak schools this year.

Artist in School Programme (AISP)

Recently, CENDANA finalised the first cohort of 16 artists who will be entering public primary schools to teach the arts. AISP was created to equip students with the understanding of concepts and techniques of art forms, ability to analyse art forms and conceive how artwork is formed, enhance creative thinking skills as well as evaluation skills.

The art courses by the selected artists will be offered to public primary schools, and schools will have the opportunity to select the courses for their students. The courses will be subsidised by CENDANA at a threshold of RM8,000 per school. Public primary schools will also need to apply through the CENDANA website to participate in the AISP. The call for applications is currently taking place and will close this 28 February 2020.

“For us to be able to contribute to the sustainability of the arts and culture sector, it is important to make arts more accessible to young Malaysians. We hope that the introduction of these programmes, in close consultation with MoE, CENDANA’s advisory panels, arts community and other stakeholders, will help public primary students attend a performance of exhibition in a professional arts venue, would have had a learning experience with a Malaysian artist or arts group and will have been exposed to arts programmes across different art forms under the mandate of CENDANA. This effort will see us provide support for our arts professionals and make the arts more accessible to all,” Izan said.

Arts organisations or school administrators interested in information about the schemes may contact [email protected] or 03-76887599. CENDANA also welcomes businesses to contribute to this effort to enjoy up to RM 1,000,000 tax deduction.