How are arts and technology practiced within Malaysia's cultural sector, where are there opportunities, and what are the thematic synergies between Malaysia and the UK?

This report builds a narrative analysis of the context for art and creative technology in Malaysia, and defines a number of areas for development, exploration and further enquiry. The findings are based on interviews with over 50 arts organisations and creative entrepreneurs in Malaysia and neighbouring Signapore, with a primary geographic focus in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley and a secondary focus in Penang.

Key findings

  • Pockets of digital arts innovation exist within grassroots communities or higher education in Malaysia, yet sustainable collaborations are still to become mainstream, or digital practice adopted more broadly. To absorb digital practice into the established cultural sector would require significant investment.
  • Cultural heritage has a distinct and pervasive influence on artistic practice in Malaysia. Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage and Indigenous knowledge has much to offer in educating and enlightening the UK, as the knowledge and experience found within are essential to find new ways to exist.
  • The arts in Malaysia are deeply connected to the environment, and there is a significant role for practitioners working at the intersections of art and technology to play in addressing the climate emergency.
  • Malaysia's science sector is well-connected to the UK and the STEAM paradigm is growing in popularity in Malaysia. Learning objectives for visual arts in secondary schools place more focus on technical skills than knowledge about art or creative thinking.
  • There is a thriving arts and technology community that abounds in Malaysia and the South East Asia region. Disparate communities engaged in this practice would benefit from a sustained context to gather and share ideas, and from the development of curatorship and creative production.
  • There is great synergy between UK and Malaysian creative economy initiatives in placemaking, with support from public, government, private sectors and corporate partners pushing this agenda forward in Malaysia. Placemaking is a more sustainable form of economic development as it capitalises on existing local community assets.

Read the Malaysia Arts and Technology report

 

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