The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) is taking a proactive step in hosting back ‘Anugerah Seni Negara’ (ASN) last held in the year 2009, almost leaving a gap of 14 years.
Puan Hanida Mohamed Yusof Senior Principal Assistant Secretary from the MOTAC’s Culture Policy Division told Press KL in an interview that the re-implementation of ASN in 2024 is a step in expressing the concern of the Malaysian government, especially MOTAC, to recognize the services, and contributions of artists who also play an important role aligned with the Malaysia Madani vision.
“By bringing back ASN which was introduced in 1993, it also gives recognition to the contribution of the arts sector which is also significant to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
The government’s recognition through this national award will give a meaningful boost to arts and culture employees in line with other sectors.” she said.
The present government aspires to build more recognition for the local artists and local talents who have demonstrated their excellence, contribution, and authority in the country’s arts and culture industry.
The event planned to take place sometime in November 2024, will be officiated by His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
Award category.
According to Puan Hanida, ‘Anugerah Seniman Negara’ will be the prestigious and highest award that will be given to a single recipient.
From 1993 to 2009, ASN has crowned 8 recipients who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields.
Among the notable National Artists (Seniman Negara) are Abdul Rahman Bakar (2004), Ahmad Nawab (2006), Jins Shamsuddin (2009), and Kathijah Awang (1999) who won the ‘Anugerah Seniman Negara’.
This year’s category is divided into three categories – Anugerah Seniman Negara, Anugerah Karyawan Seni Budaya, and Anugerah Pendukung Seni.
Below are the categories —
Anugerah Karyawan Seni Budaya
Anugerah Pendukung Seni
The winning prize for ASN is set at RM 60,000 with a trophy, Anugerah Karyawan Seni will be given RM 30,000 and Anugerah Pendokong Seni will bag RM 10,000 respectively.
The selection process of the winners will be scrutinized by a panel of experts from MOTAC’s agency and chaired by MOTAC’s chief secretary.
For more information visit — https://manfaat.mof.gov.my/b2024/komuniti/asn
MOTAC Cultural Sector Support Grant (GSSK) to support the industry
On an additional note, Puan Hanida expressed the government’s true reflection in promoting Arts, Culture, and Heritage via the support grant (GSSK).
The initiative was made available through the 2024 Budget under the MOTAC Tourism Recovery Plan with a total allocation of RM 25 million.
“To ensure the Arts and Culture ecosystem in this country continues to remain competitive and empowered in 2024, GSSK MOTAC continues in line with the core goals and values of Malaysia Madani.
“The Ministry also provides grants for the implementation of large-scale programs by organizers but involves profit sharing subject to different program concepts, implementation mechanisms, and conditions.
“Only applications that are truly qualified and have strong financial resources will be considered,” she explained.
The GSSK aims to provide support and grant assistance to activists, especially at the grassroots level in implementing cultural programs or events by empowering the country’s art, culture, and heritage landscape to be more inclusive, competitive, and resilient.
Additionally, the grant also elevates and promotes new forms of tourism from the creative and cultural industries as outlined under Malaysia Madani Strategic Core in ‘Driving National Economic Growth’.
Arts, Culture, and Heritage associations, Cooperatives registered under the Cooperative Act 1993, and Private Entities that focus on Art, Culture, and Heritage development as well as other entities registered with the government and certified by MOTAC can apply for the GSSK grant.
The grants are divided into domestic and international scales.
Domestic scale allocates a maximum ceiling of RM300,000.00 grant and in international scale allocation from RM500,000.00 up to a maximum of RM 1 million.
For more information —
https://www.motac.gov.my/pengumuman/geran-sokongan-sektor-kebudayaan-2024-gssk-2024
