GEORGE TOWN – If Penang wants to grow its arts and culture sector, more venues under the jurisdiction of the Penang state government have to look into making public open-air spaces accessible to install, present and perform the arts.
One of the only open-air spaces in George Town to stage and present varying forms of arts is the privately-owned Hin Bus Depot. Bookings for the space have been filled up for the next year.
Owner Tan Shih Thoe told The Vibes that many artists have approached him to rent the space for their art exhibition or performances. But many of their preferred dates clash with other pre-booked events that include wedding functions.
“I encouraged them to look into other open-air spaces that are under the state government’s supervision such as Armenian Park and Sia Boey Urban Archeological Park. These spaces are still under-utilised but beautiful.
“However, they told me that there are too many red tapes and restrictions that make booking the space time-consuming. Others say that some of the rules and regulations make it almost impossible for the exhibition or performance to take place. Some items in the park have to be moved around for the show,” he said.
Penang state executive councillor for tourism and creative economy Yeoh Soon Hin told The Vibes that the state government is looking to set up more spaces to boost arts and culture, similar to Hin Bus Depot.
“With the 'Creative Economy' portfolio in place, Penang is looking into creating a more active and robust creative ecosystem. This includes the provision of more platforms or spaces to accommodate the increased demand of the industry.
“But we need to bear in mind that opening a new [site] or revamping sites for performances will take time and meticulous planning, which is in the pipeline,” he said.
However, he did not comment on the red tape and restrictions placed for artistic use of space at Armenian Park and Sia Boey Urban Archeological Park located within the Unesco World Heritage Site and its buffer zone, respectively.
Armenian Park is a 1,600-metre square green space located at an enclave that was created after a fire that destroyed several buildings in the late 19th century. Later on, it turned into a space where residents around the area came for strolls before it became a garden in 1990.
However, it came to a state of disarray in the 2000s until its upgrading started in 2016. The park was formally launched in September 2017 by former chief minister Lim Guan Eng after an RM2.5 million refurbishment.
It is usually occupied for events during the yearly George Town Heritage Celebrations. The Sia Boey Urban Archeological Park spanning 10,204 sq m, is located at the buffer zone of the George Town Unesco Heritage Site surrounding the Prangin Canal.
The land value for phase one and phase two of the Sia Boey Rejuvenation Project is estimated to cost approximately RM110 million and the development of phase one costs over RM10 million. It consists of a recreational park for the community, a playground for children and a market hall.
Though these two parks are accessible to the public, it rarely plays host to arts and culture programmes as compared to the privately-owned Hin Bus Depot. – The Vibes, November 16, 2021
