THE much-awaited Penang Arts District (PAD), which will house the largest collection of art galleries, exhibition spaces and creative industries at the proposed nine-acre site in Gat Lebuh Macallum, is slated to be ready in five years.
According to the state Art Gallery chairman Lee Khai, the art community would benefit once the PAD materialises.
“We will start to discuss the PAD layout and details of its building plan by next year and hopefully everything will proceed smoothly from there. We should be able to delve into the PAD implementation by then.
“In fact, the establishment of PAD will be a dream for everyone in the state after the initiative had been formulated years back.
“This project has three phases.
“An appropriate announcement will be made when the time comes,” he told Buletin Mutiara after attending the permanent collection exhibition ceremony at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
The exhibition showcased the art pieces donated by collector Datuk Dr Tan Chee Khuan.
Dr Tan had donated 330 art pieces for it to be displayed at Dewan Sri Pinang.
On the PAD, Chief Minister Chow Kon, Yeow, who was present, said the state was looking forward to the implementation.
“In fact, this initiative was mooted by former Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“And the state would like to continue with it by making it a reality.
“I will continue to uphold my predecessor’s initiative as we are committed to making it come true for the people,” he said in his speech.
Also present were Chow’s wife Tan Lean Kee and state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis