The Ministry of Culture expands network with its strategic partners to elevate Thai contemporary art onto the global stage

Mr. Prasop Riangngen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, representing the Minister of Culture, presided over the press conference announcing the projects supported by the Contemporary Art Promotion Fund for Fiscal Year 2026, as well as the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the promotion and development of contemporary arts and culture between the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC) and the Contemporary Art Promotion Fund, together with contemporary art network partners. The event, held at Gallery 2, G Floor, National Art Gallery Building, Ministry of Culture, Huai Khwang, Bangkok, was also attended by Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Contemporary Art Promotion Fund, who joined the press conference. Also present were Mrs. Kesorn Kumnerdpech, Director-General, Office of Contemporary Art and Culture; Ministry of Culture executives; members of the fund's executive committee; grant recipients; representatives from contemporary art networks; distinguished guests; government officials; and OCAC staff.

Mr. Prasop Riangngen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, representing the Minister of Culture, said: "The Ministry of Culture is mandated to promote initiatives related to arts, religion, and culture, as well as to further develop artistic works to ensure their contemporary relevance. The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC) serves as the key organization responsible for promoting, supporting, publicizing creative activities, and advancing contemporary art. The implementation of this initiative has integrated proactive collaboration among the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), the Contemporary Art Promotion Fund, contemporary art networks, and various stakeholders to ensure ultimate impact in supporting artists and creative entrepreneurs. The objective is to transform cultural capital into tangible economic value, while preserving, creating, and advancing Thai culture sustainably into the future under the "Thai-ness (Tai Thai)" concept. Moreover, the strategy focuses on leveraging the roots of wisdom, culture, art, and local identity through creativity to create career opportunities and generate additional income for artists, people, and communities, thereby positioning Thai culture as a foundation for strong national economic growth while enhancing the quality of life of the Thai people."

Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Contemporary Art Promotion Fund, stated: "The Contemporary Art Promotion Fund was established in 2008 under the Contemporary Art Promotion Act B.E. 2551 (2008). Over the past 18 years, the Fund has supported the work of artists and cultural organizations across all artistic fields. From 2018 to 2026, the Fund promoted a total of 367 projects, allocating more than THB 116 million in grants. In 2026, 44 projects have been supported, covering nine fields: visual arts, literature, music, performing arts, film, architecture, decorative arts, graphic arts, and fashion design. Each supported project demonstrates its own distinctiveness and creative identity. The Ministry of Culture, through the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture and the Contemporary Art Promotion Fund, together with artist networks, contemporary art networks, and stakeholders across sectors, takes great pride in contributing to the advancement of artists and the contemporary art network—enhancing knowledge development, expanding creative potential, and promoting Thai contemporary art at both national and international levels."

Khunying Patama further added that the Contemporary Art Promotion Fund is committed to continuously driving the mission to promote and publicize knowledge across all nine contemporary art disciplines, with strong and valued collaboration from key leading partners, including ICONSIAM; UOB Thailand; Chat Lab; and the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage. At the same time, the collaboration has been expanded to academic and international levels through partnerships between the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), the Contemporary Art Promotion Fund, and contemporary art networks, including the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music and the Cheongju Craft Biennale, represented by the Cheongju Craft Biennale Organizing Committee. The signing of this MOU further strengthens integrated cooperation in promoting creativity, development, and the publication of contemporary art, enabling Thailand's contemporary art sector to advance more robustly onto the international stage.

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