One of the flagship initiatives is the Dana Indonesiana program, which now includes learning opportunities with art masters.
Zon said on Friday that art competitions must be reinvented with meaningful prizes to stimulate creativity among artists.
"Texts and documentation are a crucial part of art history. I want a systematic effort to produce books that record the timeline of our art history, so it continues," he stated.
According to the minister, Dana Indonesiana will prioritize support for studios and communities that have long been underserved.
"Applications will reopen next October," he added.
Zon also highlighted two other initiatives: the Artists Enter School Movement (GSMS) and Learning with Maestros (BBM), which give students and the public opportunities to interact directly with renowned artists.
During his working visit to Yogyakarta, Zon held discussions with several visual artists, including the initiator of Kembang Jati Art House.
He praised Kembang Jati as a concrete example of how creative spaces can nurture young artists while also providing professional artists a platform to showcase their work. The venue not only serves as an exhibition space but also as a hub for learning, dialogue, and community-building.
Artists participating in the discussion stressed the importance of recording the history of regional visual art masters to preserve local genius within the nation's collective memory.
They also expressed aspirations such as more exhibition opportunities for artists with special needs, age-inclusive competition platforms, and sustainable support programs for struggling artists.
Responding to these inputs, Zon underscored the need for innovation, including greater promotion through digital platforms like social media.
He further emphasized that the government will create opportunities for emerging and established artists to present their work at both national and international stages, including at the prestigious Venice Biennale.
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Translator: Sinta Ambarwati, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Anton Santoso
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