Our Right Honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg had announced that the Royal Albert Hall in London will be used as a point of reference in the creation of the Sarawak Performance Arts Centre (PAC).
He had mentioned this to our media friends after having graced the handing over ceremony of the project site of the PAC recently. According to him, the Old Sarawak Legislative Assembly building will be converted into the performing arts centre at a cost of RM240 million and is slated for completion in 2027.
He had also mentioned the most expensive part of the PAC is the equipment which is state-of-the-art, and the reference is Royal Albert Hall . When the conversion work is completed, we can bring in international artistes to perform here,. Thus, this will boost the state tourism and service industry.
Singapore had benefitted hugely from the concerts of international artistes, such as singer-songwriter Taylor Swift in March this year. The Singapore government gave incentives to Swift to perform there, but the spin-offs are not only in terms of culture, but also in monetary terms. He said we also want to attract singers like her, but if our concert hall is not good, who wants to come?.
He expressed optimism for the new centre will be of great help to local performers to showcase their talents or stage theatrical work which will elevate the standard of local performers.
The focus of the centre will be to strengthen the development programme and arts activities in the state.These would include music, dance, vocal and theatre performances; a venue to exhibit visual arts such as paintings, sculpture and murals; a place to recite poetry; and virtual arts display such as animation, videography and social media.
So far our Sarawak Arts Council (MSS) has attracted 1,261 participants to attend arts guidance classes for the 2024 sessions throughout the state. It had also complemented our ministry's efforts in actively organising town hall sessions in Kuching, Samarahan, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri Divisions that are aimed to share information and aspirations with the stakeholders on the direction of the creative industry in Sarawak.
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