Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) is entering an exciting new chapter. After nearly three decades of supporting artists, preserving cultural heritage, and nurturing Cambodia’s creative ecosystems, we paused to listen, reflect, and envision the future. These strategic priorities sharing brought together artists, arts community members, and regional and international performing arts networks to clarify, provide feedback, and comment on this five-year roadmap, and to explore how Cambodian arts can better connect and collaborate regionally and internationally.
A Pivotal Moment for CLA and Cambodian Arts
Every 3–5 years, CLA undertakes a strategic review particularly now, as we are in the midst of more rapid global, organizational, and sectoral change than ever before. Shifting social, economic, and cultural dynamics prompt CLA to reflect: How can we continue to serve artists and communities in meaningful, sustainable, and responsive ways? And how do we position ourselves as indispensable infrastructure in an increasingly complex world, especially at a time when support structures for the arts and development have decreased significantly?
This review was designed to be forward-looking and participatory, ensuring CLA remains relevant and effective as the arts intersect with civil society, human rights, and sustainable development. Cambodian artists and small organizations continue to face structural challenges in resources, professional development, visibility, and long-term sustainability. As a catalyst working behind the scenes, CLA sees this as an opportunity to clarify its focus, strengthen institutional capacity, and demonstrate how its strategic programming through grants, local and regional/international partnerships, and its role as a cultural intermediary can continue to build a more resilient and inclusive arts ecosystem.
