WHAT WE STAND FOR
Our Belief
We believe arts are at the heart of a vital society.
Our Mission
Our mission is to be a catalyst in a vibrant arts sector, inspiring new generations.
Our Vision
We envision the arts and cultural expression as essential to a thriving future for Cambodia.
A WORD FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, YON SOKHORN
When I started with CLA in 2012, I feel blessed to be able to accompany the master artists to impart their knowledge to the next generation of passionate artists, and this has been a core of our work for almost a decade. Later, I really enjoy working at CLA when we start planning the career development programs to support the artists and cultural practitioners to sustain their works and enable them to tell their stories of present Cambodian society through their creativity and expressions. Working with artists is a privilege and I’ve never been prouder than this through CLA’s work and my personal mission.
Currently, we have provided more and more grants than we do in the past which reflects our evolving role and work as a grantmaker. It is very challenging to provide more and more funding because we have to be accountable for all the requirements and ensure transparency while accompanying the artists through this administration. It’s not common in Cambodia to have local grants for the arts and culture. Simply put, it is not only new to the artists, but also to CLA while we learn by doing, and keep improving through time.
As a personal reflection of my 10-year journey in this sector and despite the pandemic, I still continue to see more emerging talents, energy, leadership, and grassroots initiatives who are indeed of this investment and the key players to sustain the arts ecosystem in the long run. This makes me so optimistic about what CLA is doing now because we are able to plan ahead of time and play a crucial role to fulfill the gap in the sector.
OUR CORE PROGRAMS
GRANTS
Our grants support new artistic creation, strengthen cultural initiatives, and expand opportunities for Cambodian artists locally and internationally.
Dam Dos Project Grant
Support artists and cultural practitioners, while amplifying their visibility and voice through digital platforms and public engagement.
Mobility Grant
Support art and cultural practitioners from all disciplines to develop ideas, networking, and skill through participation in the training, workshop, conference, festival, research presentation, and residency.
New Creation Fellowship
Supports senior and emerging performing artists to develop their creative skills, leadership, and projects through mentorship, hands-on creation, and skill workshops with regional experts, focusing on the process of producing high-quality work and culminating in a public presentation.
COMMUNITY ARTS OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT
We aim to bring arts experiences to people with limited access, especially in rural areas. We do this through village concerts, community arts demonstrations, cultural tours, and on-site presentations throughout the year.
Village Concerts
We stage music concerts in remote communities where people have minimal access to arts events.
Music Demonstrations
We promote rare musical instruments across Cambodian villages, engaging audiences through live demonstrations and conversations.
Provincial Tours
We bring performances, talks, interactive workshops to target provinces, allowing local communities to experience new works and engage in dialogue directly with artists.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
This program empowers artists to grow by strengthening their knowledge, creative skills, and leadership capabilities within the arts sector.
Arn Chorn-Pond Living Arts Scholarship
Supports emerging artists and creatives to expand their practice, broaden their perspectives, and engage more actively in the contemporary arts scene through financial support and professional development opportunities.
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
CLA provides legal, financial, and administrative support to independent artists and selected emerging arts organizations, helping them access funding and strengthen their programs and organizational capacity, especially during their incubation period.
