FOLLOWING the success of the George Town Festival 2019 (GTF 2019), the state government is now calling for proposals for GTF 2020 through Petach (Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage office) and event organiser TLM Event Sdn Bhd.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said they would like to see more collaboration between local and international artists to make it a top-notch arts and cultural event in Asia.
“The GTF 2019 was a tremendous success due to the diversity of its programme and 70 percent of the shows had free admissions.
“It featured a total of 162 programmes, which included visual art, theater, music, dance, comedy, film, photography and many others.
“We are targeting to attract 500,000 visitors to the festival next year which will be held from July 11 to 26,” Chow told a press conference during the lunch break at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today at the Dewan Sri Pinang.
He said the state government would spend RM3 million again to sponsor the festival, which would enter its 11th edition in 2020.
This year, Chow said a total of 53 local performing groups/artists and 34 international performing groups/artists also contributed to the festival’s success.
- He said TLM Event won the job to run GFT for two years beginning this year, after Joe Sidek’s tenure had ended in 2018.
State Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, who was also present, said he hoped to see GTF 2020 have more of the cross-cultural performances and cross-country collaboration.
He said GTF 2019 received a total of 223 proposals within the duration of the open call lasting for about six weeks.
“To unearth and meet local and international artists in support of arts, culture and heritage, we want to call for proposals again,” Yeoh said.
“Creative talents, especially local artists who are passionate about delivering ‘A Festival for Everyone’ are welcome to submit their proposals to showcase their outstanding works at the festival.”
TLM Event managing director Jack Wong said he welcomed any venue owners who is willing to allow their venues to be used for the festival.
He said the announcement for GTF 2020 was made nine months ahead of the festival so that local artists, in particular, would grab the opportunity to showcase their work.
The submission deadline for proposals is on Dec 1.
The GTF 2020 is retaining its theme – ‘ A Festival for Everyone’ to make arts accessible to everyone from the festive goers to the art communities and the public regardless of age, ethnicity or background.
Interested applicants can send in their proposal to http://bit.ly/2BxeEIs.
For further inquiries visit www.georgetownfestival.com or check out their Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/georgetownfestival/) and Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeTownFestival/)
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad and Chan Kok Kuan
Video by Alvie Cheng