Creative Catalyst Program & Thrive Grant (Closed)

Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) is offering an opportunity for ten leaders of informal, emerging, artistic and cultural initiatives to participate in an eight-week program, facilitated by our partner Phum Impact Siem Reap.

The program will give space for the participants to develop their vision for the future of their initiative and reflect on the organizational effort and structure behind your initiative.

At the end of the program, you will have the opportunity to share your ideas with a panel of expert advisors, who will give you feedback and suggestions as to how you might go forward. After the program, six participants will be invited to take part in a two-year Thrive program managed by Cambodian Living Arts, where you will be supported to draft a detailed organizational development plan for your initiative (3 months) and have the chance to apply for transformational funding towards its implementation.

Creative Catalyst Program Recipients


Norodom Bopha Devi Dance School

After the passing of Princess Norodom Bopha Devi in 2019, the Cambodian Cultural Association she created many years before broaden its scope in her honor and was renamed “Norodom Bopha Devi Dance School,” after the late the Princess. The Norodom Bopha Devi Dance School’s mission is to give any Cambodian the opportunity to learn Khmer classical dance for free and provide the appropriate training for those who want to make a living as a professional dancer.

The Art & Environment Festival

The Art & Environment Festival hosts workshops with local communities through arts event in order to highlight the role of arts in environmental protection and raise the awareness among community members. They especially focus on plastic management and planting trees.

Lakhon Komnit

Lakhon Komnit, meaning “Thinking Theatre” in Khmer, are a team of Cambodian theatre artists who design and facilitate spoken theatre, workshops, projects and performances with communities, NGOs, schools and universities across Cambodia. Their vision is for Lakhon Niyeay to be known and valued as a meaningful artistic practice which fosters critical thinking and improves the lives of Cambodian communities.

Phearith Lakhaon Niyay

Phearith Lakhaon Niyay are an art group that works to promote the art of Lakhaon Niyay through:
«Talking» programs, «Work-in-progress performance» programs, «Real-life Theater» programs among others. This art group was formed on March 3, 2013 by a group of young people from the Faculty of Choreography of the Royal University of Fine Arts and young people from other faculties in Phnom Penh.

Lakhoan Khoal and New Generation of Classical Dancer Youth

Since 2016, Lakhoan Khoal and New Generation of Classical Dancer Youth has been focusing on promoting, sharing and transferring knowledge and preserving Khmer culture and art to the next generation of Cambodians.

Khmer Literature Festival

Khmer Literature Festival promotes Khmer literature, writing and reading, and writers community in Cambodia. The festival’s programs including panel discussion, workshop, public panel discussion, culture visits, literature competitions and performances.

New Cambodian Artists

Since 2012, New Cambodian Artists have been developing a culture of contemporary dance throughout Cambodia. They believe in female empowerment through expression. NCA consists of two young dancers and a company director, shaping their own future and creating contemporary style, featuring classical elements.

Silverbell Troupe

Silverbell Troupe, founded in 2003, is a fellowship of enthusiastic Khmer dancers committed to creating dance performances dedicated to craft, unique experience marking, and taking new steps forward. Since 2003, the troupe has choreographed and performed numerous works for local and international audiences.

Bonn Phum

Bonn Phum literally means ‘Village Festival’, is a folklife festival of Cambodian culture taking place at the pagoda. A special initiative of PLERNG KOB and ABC Cambodia FM 107.5 MHz, BONN PHUM celebrate recalls the tradition of the Village Festival in the modern age and continue the old concept of Khmer culture.

Khmer Art Action

Khmer Art Action started in 2019 with the aim of promoting the importance of the art of speaking theater in educating, entertaining and advocating. Niyeay is a form of drama that has almost disappeared from Cambodian society, for this reason KAA advocates the promotion of this theater to be used for the benefit of society.

Thrive Grantees 2022


Six out of ten participants were selected to move on to the “THRIVE PROGRAM” stage after the eight-week Creative Catalyst Program, which was facilitated by our partner Phum Impact Siem Reap. Below are the six groups that were selected:

Silverbell Troupe

Silverbell Troupe, founded in 2003, is a fellowship of enthusiastic Khmer dancers committed to creating dance performances dedicated to craft, unique experience marking, and taking new steps forward. Since 2003, the troupe has choreographed and performed numerous works for local and international audiences.

Bonn Phum

Bonn Phum literally means ‘Village Festival’, is a folklife festival of Cambodian culture taking place at the pagoda. A special initiative of PLERNG KOB and ABC Cambodia FM 107.5 MHz, BONN PHUM celebrate recalls the tradition of the Village Festival in the modern age and continue the old concept of Khmer culture.

Khmer Art Action

Khmer Art Action started in 2019 with the aim of promoting the importance of the art of speaking theater in educating, entertaining and advocating. Niyeay is a form of drama that has almost disappeared from Cambodian society, for this reason KAA advocates the promotion of this theater to be used for the benefit of society.

Norodom Bopha Devi Dance School

After the passing of Princess Norodom Bopha Devi in 2019, the Cambodian Cultural Association she created many years before broaden its scope in her honor and was renamed “Norodom Bopha Devi Dance School,” after the late the Princess. The Norodom Bopha Devi Dance School’s mission is to give any Cambodian the opportunity to learn Khmer classical dance for free and provide the appropriate training for those who want to make a living as a professional dancer.

Lakhon Komnit

Lakhon Komnit, meaning “Thinking Theatre” in Khmer, are a team of Cambodian theatre artists who design and facilitate spoken theatre, workshops, projects and performances with communities, NGOs, schools and universities across Cambodia. Their vision is for Lakhon Niyeay to be known and valued as a meaningful artistic practice which fosters critical thinking and improves the lives of Cambodian communities.

New Cambodian Artists

Since 2012, New Cambodian Artists have been developing a culture of contemporary dance throughout Cambodia. They believe in female empowerment through expression. NCA consists of two young dancers and a company director, shaping their own future and creating contemporary style, featuring classical elements.


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