Cambodian Living Arts is happy to announce the launch of a new five-year strategy that will create new opportunities in the arts and culture scene in Cambodia. This is the third stage of the organisation’s evolution; founded in 1998 by musician and Khmer Rouge survivor Arn Chord-Pond, it was originally a grassroots NGO working to preserve traditional performing arts in danger of disappearing. As the Cambodian arts scene developed, Cambodian Living Arts began to focus on the needs of an emerging generation of artists, offering scholarships, fellowships, and training; creating performance and other employment opportunities; and helping to develop national and regional networks for the sector. Looking forward, as the arts sector becomes more established, Cambodian Living Arts’s role has changed again; becoming more of a catalyst for the sector. Or in other words, working to create the conditions in which artists and cultural leaders are more able to create work that expresses something of themselves and their society, and contribute to sustainable development through the arts. to make sure that artists’ voices are always at the heart of all our programs, Cambodian Living Arts has created a new committee of four Associate Artists to oversee implementation of the strategy. H.E. VENG Sereyvuth, Chair of the Board at Pannasastra University and Cambodian Living Arts Board Member, said: “I truly believe in the strength of the young generation, and the potential they have to become leaders – the future of Cambodia is in their hands. I’m very happy to see how much Cambodian Living Arts is investing in them by creating such access to culture and the arts though these new strategic goals” Highlights from the strategic plan include: The launch of a five-year pilot program seeking to integrate culture and arts education into Cambodia’s public schools More scholarships, trainings and grants for artists, researchers and other practitioners in the arts More festivals and performances in Phnom Penh, including a multidisciplinary festival around women and the arts, planned for November this year Increasing connections and networks with Asia. Arn Chorn-Pond, founder of Cambodian Living Arts, said: “Part of my dream was always to help the young people to realize their dreams. Now we are on our way, young people are doing new things by themselves, and are encouraging others to dream bigger through arts and culture.” Cambodian Living Arts has created a new advisory committee to fully engage artists’ voices into their development.  The committee’s four “Associate Artists” are all innovators and creators in their field, practicing independently of Cambodian Living Arts. They are: dancer and choreographer CHUMVAN Sodhachivy (Belle); filmmaker and founder of KlapYaHandz label SOK Visal; Yike Opera teacher UY Latavan; and Siem Reap-based visual artist YIM Maline. These artists, chosen to represent a range of different art forms and experiences in the sector, will make sure that projects, strategies and activities always serve the needs of artists and the arts community. The launch of this committee is a strong signal of Cambodian Living Arts’s commitment to working with and for the community and putting artists’ needs at the heart of its activities. Associate Artist YIM Maline said,  “I am collaborating with Cambodian Living Arts because they are working for the sustainability of the arts, and they have a strong connection with artists – this kind of organisation is what Cambodia needs. For me personally, it is an opportunity to share my skills and knowledge as a contemporary visual artist to others. This collaboration I think will benefit artists, the arts sector, and help people to know more about our culture”.  To learn more aboutCambodian Living Arts check http://asianitinerary.com/cambodian-living-arts/

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Cambodian Living Arts is excited to announced that the new season of Cambodian Living Arts On Stage (formerly known as Plae Pakaa), their program of daily traditional arts performances in Phnom Penh, will start on October 19, 2015 and run through March 30, 2016! The new season will welcome back international-acclaimed troupe, Morodok Komar Bassac Performing Arts (the former Children of Bassac), performing their lively traditional dance show with the new dances in the lineup six days a week from Monday to Saturday. The show features eight classical and folk dances includes Robam Kap Krabey Pheok Sra (Buffalo Sacrifice Dance), Robam Apsara, Robam Kngork Pailin (Pailin Peacock Dance), Robam Bes Kravagn (Cardamom Picking Dance), Robam Sovann Machha (Golden Mermaid Dance), Robam Ploy Souy (Ploy Souy Dance), Robam Nesat (Fishing Dance) and Robam Kuos Ang-Re (Pestle Dance). Please join us for the opening night on October 19, 2015. Contact vanoeun@cambodianlivingarts.org or darathtey@cambodianlivingarts.org for reservations. CAMBODIAN LIVING ARTS Cambodian Living Arts was founded by Arn Chorn-Pond in 1998. Cambodian Living Arts facilitates the transformation of Cambodia through the arts. They work in collaboration with others to create an environment where Cambodian arts empower and transform individuals and communities through four key programs – Artist Development, Learning and Leadership, Knowledge, Networks & Policy and Market Creation. Season of Cambodia was initiated by Cambodian Living Arts in 2012, with a mission to illuminate and to advance Cambodian arts and culture, driving international support and attention to the creativity and diversity of cultural expressions in Cambodia today. St.13 corner of St.178 – National Museum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia +855 17998570 BOOKINGS: events@cambodianlivingarts.org  bookings@cambodianlivingarts.org WEBSITE: www.cambodianlivingarts.org VIDEOS: http://www.cambodianlivingarts.org/about-us/press-room/watch-listen/ See also Asian Itinerary article on Cambodian Living Arts at http://asianitinerary.com/cambodian-living-arts/

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Cambodian Living Arts’ Plae Pakaa Phnom Penh will return to the National Museum stage starting on Friday, June 12. This season the production features a brand new show: War of Indrajit – a tale from the Reamker presented in the rare, art form of Sbaek Thom, large shadow puppetry, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible World Heritage. Creative Industries Manager, Melissa Im said: “The decision to add a new show, specifically ancient large shadow puppets is exciting for our team. Sbaek Thom is unique in that it both connects Cambodia to other forms of shadow puppetry in the ASEAN region but also serves as a signature of the country due to the size and individuality of each puppet. In February we hosted two special previews of the piece, which was received with enthusiasm from a packed house on both nights. We are thrilled to provide this opportunity to our visitors.” This new season will also welcome back internationally-acclaimed troupe, Children of Bassac, performing their lively traditional dance show with new dances in the lineup, and Yike Amatak, performing their gripping musical drama, Mak Therng. This season will run from June 12 to the end of August, with three performances each week: – Fridays – Cambodian Opera, Mak Therng by Yike Amatak – Saturdays – Dance Show, Dancers of Bassac by Children of Bassac – Sundays – Large Shadow Puppets, The War of Indrajit by The Department of Performing Arts in collaboration with Children of Bassac Tickets are $15 and available online at www.cambodianlivingarts.org or at the Plae Pakaa Box Office at the National Museum on show-days from 10:00AM – 7:00PM Plae Pakaa continues to employ over 140 artists and arts practitioners each year, providing them with regular income and professional working conditions, as well as offering national and international audiences with high quality traditional arts performances. Plae Pakaa Siem Reap will be on break during the monsoon season but will return in late 2015. Further information will be announced in October 2015. The Sounds of Angkor and Wat Bo Shadow Puppet Troupe are still available for private events or gatherings, as part of Living Arts Experiences, CLA’s cultural offerings and activities. Inquiries about Plae Pakaa, please contact Ms. Darathtey DIN on +855 12 489 325 and at darathtey@cambodianlivingarts.org or info@cambodianlivingarts.org CAMBODIAN LIVING ARTS Cambodian Living Arts was founded by Arn Chorn-Pond in 1998. Cambodian Living Arts facilitates the transformation of Cambodia through the arts. They work in collaboration with others to create an environment where Cambodian arts empower and transform individuals and communities through four key programs – Artist Development, Learning and Leadership, Knowledge, Networks & Policy and Market Creation. Season of Cambodia was initiated by Cambodian Living Arts in 2012, with a mission to illuminate and to advance Cambodian arts and culture, driving international support and attention to the creativity and diversity of cultural expressions in Cambodia today. See also Asian Itinerary article on Cambodian Living Arts at http://asianitinerary.com/cambodian-living-arts/

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Cambodian Living Arts presents Jolana Jongjam, a dance festival that will premiere three new works and bring artists from Siem Reap, Kampot and Phnom Penh together. This festival will take place Thursday, June 5th to Sunday, June 7th , 2015 About the Program As part of the Acts of Memory program commemorating the 40th anniversary of the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge, Cambodian Living Arts will host Jolana Jongjam (Movement Memory), a series of contemporary dance workshops and performances. Acts of Memory is co-produced by Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center & Cambodian Living Arts and presented by Season of Cambodia. The Acts of Memory program is a series of events and activities that offer audience members opportunities for critical reflections on memory, history and identity. Jolana Jongjam will serve as a platform for the public presentation of new works by dance companies Epic Arts, New Cambodian Artists and the PanDance Project, intended to encourage a young (Khmer) audience to examine and engage with the arts and their history. “It is very exciting for young Cambodians to see new works performed by young people representing different parts of Cambodia. Not only will they have a chance to see the performances, the audience members will also get to interact with the artists, ask them questions, give comments and reflect on the past & future” said Mr. Prim Phloeun, the Executive Director of Cambodian Living Arts. Through a series of master classes, workshops and exchanges between the dance companies, Jolana Jongjam is also designed to foster collaboration and innovation among the contemporary dance community, and broader arts community. These workshops are being implemented with co-funding from the European Union action, ‘Supporting culture as a vector of democracy and economic growth’. Program Schedule and Ticket Information Jolana Jongjam will take place across three days: Friday, June 5th to Sunday, June 7th.  Friday to Sunday nights will serve to showcase the three original pieces Epic Arts, New Cambodian Artists and the PanDance Project have created to reflect human emotions in the last 50 years of Cambodia’s history. Performances will be at CLA’s Plae Pakaa theatre at the National Museum of Phnom Penh. The Performance Schedule is as follows: Friday, June 5th – 7 pm: Presentations of Epic Arts’ piece, Come Back Brighter, and the PanDance Project’s piece, The Things They Carried, followed by a post-show discussion with the artists, facilitated by Amrita Performing Arts. (1 hour duration) Saturday, June 6th – 7 pm: Presentation of New Cambodian Artists’ piece, Sronoh (Lament), followed by a post-show discussion with the artists, facilitated by Amrita Performing Arts. (1 hour duration) Sunday, June 7th – (7 pm): All dance shows will be presented once more. No discussion follows.  (1.5 hour duration) The three-day evening performances are open to public. Tickets are available at Cambodian Living Arts office and Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center. Tickets are priced at 10,000 R for public with 50% discount for students. Audience can also purchase tickets at door on each day of the performances. During the day from Friday to Sunday, Amrita Performing Arts will facilitate a series of choreo-labs. The purpose of these choreo-labs will be to encourage the companies to engage in creation, creative thinking and new techniques. Inquiries about Jolana Jongjam, please contact Ms. Darathtey DIN on +855 12 489 325 and at darathtey@cambodianlivingarts.org or info@cambodianlivingarts.org CAMBODIAN LIVING ARTS Cambodian Living Arts was founded by Arn Chorn-Pond in 1998. Cambodian Living Arts facilitates the transformation of Cambodia through the arts. They work in collaboration with others to create an environment where Cambodian arts empower and transform individuals and communities through four key programs – Artist Development, Learning and Leadership, Knowledge, Networks & Policy and Market Creation. Season of Cambodia was initiated by Cambodian Living Arts in 2012, with a mission to illuminate and to advance Cambodian arts and culture, driving international support and attention to the creativity and diversity of cultural expressions in Cambodia today. See also Asian Itinerary article on Cambodian Living Arts at http://asianitinerary.com/cambodian-living-arts/

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