"So far, funding for cultural activities is still very low so initiatives and creativity in the field of culture do not run as they should," Director General of Culture at the Ministry Hilmar Farid said here on Monday.
The Dana Indonesiana or Indonesiana Fund has been instituted based on Law No. 5 of 2017 concerning the Advancement of Culture.
The theme of Dana Indonesiana this year is "Culture for Sustainable Living" and has been specifically designed for the cultural sector.
Farid expressed the hope that the endowment fund will help ease cultural actors' budget limitations that lead to a lack of innovation.
The fund will be provided to three categories of beneficiaries: individuals, communities/organizations, and institutions.
The funding program will also offer support for masterclasses with maestros, cultural facilitation, and institutional support.
The cultural productions or activities for which funding can be sought have been divided into several categories, such as micro-cinema, public space creative utilization, documentation of maestro's works, and creation of innovative works.
Funding through Dana Indonesiana is being provided in collaboration with the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP).
For the process, the ministry's Directorate General of Culture will act as the program management office (PMO) and will oversee substantive matters, namely the promotion, registration, and selection of beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, LPDP will act as the financial manager and distribute funds to beneficiaries. This year, each of the beneficiaries can get Dana Indonesiana funding of more than Rp200 billion (US$13.3 million).
Those registering for Dana Indonesiana will undergo strict selection by a selection committee that will assess their proposals.
The details for the registration process have been provided on the website https://danaindonesiana.kemdikbud.go.id.
On March 23, 2022, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology launched Dana Indonesiana as a manifestation of the cultural endowment fund.
The government said it is committed to increasing the cultural endowment fund to support activities for national cultural advancement.
Related news: Ministry sets up media center to improve cultural content management
Related news: Women in parliament should pioneer cultural advancement: Legislator
Translator: Astrid H, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
