Creatives in S’wak urged to take advantage of ministry funds to organise activities, says Snowdan

MIRI (Sept 22): The creative industry and performing arts practitioners in Sarawak should take advantage of the funds offered by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts to organise their activities, said its Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan.

He said the funds can be applied for by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are registered with the Registrar of Organisations.

“We lend support to these industries through the funds we have. So far, we still have a balance not used up yet. As this is a new fund, not many people know about it yet,” he disclosed in his address when officiating the opening of the M.O. Sarawak Gala Night 2024 here on Saturday night.

He said among the activities that can be organised using the funds are dance events, culinary arts events, festivals, workshops, traditional food making events and documentaries about Sarawak.

In view of this, he explained the ministry is moving at the grassroots level to carry out roadshows introducing the fund.

“Those who wish to apply for the fund can visit the ministry’s website and download the fund application form there. The amount of funds approved depends on the size of the programme.

“We still have a balance of almost RM3 million until the end of this year. This is a new fund we introduced under the Creative Industry named Dana MudahCara,” he said, adding the state government allocates RM10 million to the ministry each year for this fund.

According to him, there are 19 categories under ‘Creative Industry’ including gastronomy, culinary, film technology, radio, computer and software. Also included are fashion, shirt design, artwork and singing.

At the event, Snowdan announced a grant amounting to RM20,000 to the organisers. The dinner was attended by some 800 guests and they were entertained with singing performances, a Pua Kumbu showcase, modelling show and The Face M.O. Sarawak pageant.

Among those present were political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak and the event’s advisor Datin Melinda Claudia Bucking and Dayak Cultural Foundation manager (performance arts) Petrus Egat Mathias.