By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 8: The Sarawak Youth Venture Fund worth RM5 million, aimed at supporting emerging talents and young starters in arts, culture and other creative fields, is now open for application.
Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the fund is purely for youths in the artistic, creative and innovative fields, especially music and theatre, which have limited avenue to obtain help.
“The state government noted that creative people have no avenue to seek assistance and support, unlike entrepreneurs who can go to the Entrepreneur Unit to seek for fund.
“But for those passionate about arts and culture, they do not have a place to go to, that can help them go far and further their careers,” he told a press conference on Sarawak Youth Development Committee 2019, here, today.
He revealed that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the allocation during the TEDxKenyalang Conference at the Old State Legislative Assembly building in November last year.
The fund is open to Sarawakians aged between 15 and 40 years old, where applications can be made as individual, group or associations and organisations who will contribute to arts and culture for the benefit of the community at large.
Abdul Karim pointed out that all applications will have to go through a selection process vetted by two committees, the Special Committee and Technical Committee.
“Applicants can apply for fund ranging from RM5,000 to an amount deemed appropriate by the committees. The committees will assess all the applications and determine whether they are eligible or not,” he explained.
The fund was the state government’s efforts to help youths with talents, as they start to venture into arts and culture fields, he said.
“When this fund was announced last year, there was an avalanche of requests to our ministry with most of them being entrepreneurs but I am very sorry, business-related or involving entrepreneurship are not eligible to apply for this fund.
“It is purely meant for arts, culture and other artistic or creative fields, which are outside of business,” he continued.
Abdul Karim said this programme was to fulfil the vision of creating Kuching as a city with a soul. Other projects planned for such development included the centre of performing arts, as well as a theatre.
The application forms can be obtained from the ministry.
On the Sarawak Youth Development Committee meeting, Abdul Karim said it was crucial to get all input and feedback on matters and issues related to youth development.
“The reports, findings and discussions will be used to formulate policies, chart direction of development for youths, as well as find ways to help our youths so that they can be an active in our society,” he explained.
The meeting was attended by representatives from various agencies and departments including the police, Health Department, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. — DayakDaily
