Masters Performing Program
CLA promotes an appreciation of the Khmer performing arts by sponsoring and supporting concerts, recitals, performances, and demonstrations to a wide range of audiences. Some of the CLA-sponsored classes practice art forms now that are quite rare, and CLA’s support helps to make these traditional art forms more accessible to local Khmer, both rural and urban, as well as to travelers and students from around the world.
In doing so, CLA empowers arts students and masters to develop the performance skills and social and professional networks that will help them to make a living through the arts. Since 2003, the number of performances by masters and students has increased by 400% due to CLA’s support; consequently, some performing groups earn from $200-$4,000+ more in income each year from performances alone.
The place of traditional performing arts is also changing; where once many shows were sponsored through local wats, the royal family, or private families for private celebrations or rituals, now traditional performances may also be incorporated into hotel or restaurant receptions, staged touring productions, educational initiatives, school partnerships, artisanal stores, television shows, and more. Through the performing program, Cambodian Living Arts supports the masters and students to take better advantage of the changing opportunities available to them.
If you are interested in hiring a master or group of students for a performance or demonstration, please e-mail us at info@cambodianlivingarts.org. Please contact us with no less than 4 weeks advance notice for the date of the performance.
Please keep in mind that some kinds of performances, particularly the traditional shadow puppet show by firelight, are subject to cancellation according to the weather.
From August 19-27, 2007, Cambodian Living Arts brought together 4 partnering organizations and over 350 different artists, students, and performers to the campus of our partner organization Phare, a circus and arts school in Battambang province, for the second annual Teaching and Learning Festival--or Mahasroap as a festival is known in Khmer.
[read more]info@cambodianlivingarts.org