ASEF commissions Cultural Mapping of ASEAN region

In the lead up to the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2017, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) seeks to map the contemporary arts scene in the 10 member countries. These mappings seek to explore whether and how ASEAN's contemporary cultural landscape contributes to a distinctive ASEAN narrative that is not only relevant to the sector, but may contribute to identifying and understanding the ASEAN model of networked soft power and the ways in which this resembles, or is distinct from, those of its European counterparts.

This mapping and research study brings together 10 cultural professionals and researchers, one from each ASEAN member country as authors of their respective country reports. The mapping process will include face-to-face exchanges among the researchers (with the aim of nurturing a network among them) as well as two workshops (one each in Malta and Singapore). The country reports will be made publicly available on ASEF’s arts and culture portal, https://culture360.asef.org  in 2017 and will also form the basis for two ASEF Policy Panel discussions next year (including with European counterparts).

For this research study, ASEF has commissioned a Griffith University (GU) team headed by Professor Ruth Bereson, expert in comparative cultural policy, cultural diplomacy, arts management and cultural leadership, Dr Caitlin Byrne and Ronda Jones.

The ASEAN Researchers include:

• Cambodia: Rithisal Kang, Executive Director, Amrita Performing Arts


• Indonesia: Felencia Hutabarat, founder, Indonesian Arts Coalition


• Malaysia: Kathy Rowland, independent writer/researcher on the politics of culture


• Philippines: Sharon Arriola, Associate Dean of New Media, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, Manila


• Thailand: Ritirong Hong Jiwakanon, Assistant Professor, Department of Dramatic Arts, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok


• Lao PDR: A.J. Phothisane, President, Laobangfai Prime Association & Managing Director, Lao Pride Record Company Limited


• Singapore: Ailin Chin, Programme Manager for Education & Outreach, The Substation

**Researchers from Brunei, Myanmar, Viet Nam (currently being finalised)

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