KL is set to become a platform for a series of talk and discussion on contemporary in Southeast Asia over the next three Saturdays in the month of June as the ladies from RogueArt present ‘Where Art Happens’. Made possible by the generous assistance of Yayasan Sime Darby, this public talks programme brings together regional curators, writers, cultural workers and artists to address some of the issues that are swimming thick in our heads.

In the face of social, political and economic change, where does art find its place in Malaysian society today? How do artists make themselves visible to the public? Why is art relevant to the wider society, how do we make it relevant? How do we build or reinforce a sustainable infrastructure for art in Malaysia?

“Where Art Happens” is presented in three parts:

13 June 2009 (10.45 am – 4pm): Art Spaces: Policies, Agendas, Ways Forward investigates different kinds of spaces where art is presented, from national institutions to independent artist-run spaces; we find out more about the programmes, policies and aims of these spaces and what they offer to artists and the public. Speakers include Dr Mohd Najib Ahmad Dawa Director of Balai Seni Lukis Negara, Hasnul Jamal Saidon Director of Galeri & Muzium Tuanku Fauziah (Universiti Sains Malaysia), Ahmad bin Mashadi Head of NUS Museum, Singapore and Independent Curator Rifky Effendy (Indonesia).

20 June 2009 (10.45 am – 4pm): Getting Out There: Art in the Community looks at the way in which artists and artist collectives have engaged with the community through on-the-ground projects, often invited or supported by public/private sector institutions.

Key local initiatives such as Let Arts Move You (LAMU), which brought art to KTM commuters in 2007, and the Contemporary Art In School (CAIS) project in 2008, as well as the public programme at the Jakarta Biennale 2009, will be presented. Leading artists such as Amanda Heng from Singapore talk about interacting with the public in their work. Versatile arts and media innovator Mark Teh will talk about his involvement with Chow Kit Fest, and Five Arts’ Theatre in Education projects.

27 June 2009 (10.45 am – 4pm): Feeding Creativity: Art Residencies & Grants
Artists need time, funding and space to explore and develop new ideas. Travelling to and residing in different places also encourages exchange and builds networks.

Here we discuss different types of art residencies and funding available locally and in the region. Private patrons and corporate sponsors have been the most active in supporting artists in Malaysia: Rimbun Dahan, RBS-Malihom AIR Programme, HOM (Matahati), Krishen Jit-ASTRO Fund present their programmes, while Mella Jaarsma co-founder of Cemeti Art House in Yogyakarta speaks about their Landing Soon residency project made possible with an award from the Rockefeller Foundation. Malaysian artists also speak about their experiences on residency programmes in Malaysia, China, Korea, Vietnam, the USA and other exotic places.

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Also don’t forget to join us for our next edition of HIDING PLACES, which will be held at RogueArt’s Jalan Berangan premise on the night of 20 June 2009. This is a great opportunity to mingle and hang out with our visiting guests from overseas as well as an excuse to catch up with the rest of the community. HIDING PLACES is a BYO drinks potluck event. We come together, share drinks and have a good time. Party starts at 8.30pm.

‘Where Art Happens’ + HIDING PLACES will be held at

No. 19, Jalan Berangan
Kuala Lumpur 50200

Please contact RogueArt at 016-2667413 OR email contact AT rogueart DOT asia to make a reservation for the talk programmes as seating is limited. For Hiding Places, just bring drinks (teh-tarik or alcohol, your choice) and turn up la.