Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas),\nemphasised the importance of strengthening creative arts and culture as\nnational identity as well as a force to drive national development. Ibas\nstated that Indonesia possesses vast historical and cultural wealth that\nmust be continuously preserved and developed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndonesia has extraordinary potential in arts and culture. From\nvarious dances, music, to fine arts, and performances. We have wealth\nthat should be strong domestically and can be elevated to the\ninternational stage,\u201d Ibas said in his statement on Thursday\n(16\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
This was conveyed by Ibas while attending an audience titled\n\u2018Creative Arts and Culture as National Identity: Preserving and\nRevitalising Indonesian Cultural Heritage\u2019 at the National Museum of\nIndonesia, Jakarta, in commemoration of World Arts Day, held on Tuesday\n(15\/4).<\/p>\n
The event was attended by arts and culture practitioners. The forum\nserved as a national dialogue space to discuss the role of arts in\nnational development.<\/p>\n
He also assessed that strengthening the creative arts and culture\nindustry is important not only as an affirmation of national identity\nbut also as a national economic opportunity that can fill the\nentertainment industry space domestically and globally.<\/p>\n
Ibas also invited the younger generation not only to admire foreign\ncultures but to love, preserve, and develop Indonesian culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must teach the younger generation not only to preserve culture\nbut also to develop and advance it. We do not only want to conserve, but\nalso to enhance and accelerate the benefits of our culture,\u201d Ibas\nstressed.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that cultural preservation needs to be carried out with\na more innovative and creative approach, including by combining cultural\nheritage with relevant innovations in the digital era.<\/p>\n
Amid rapid global developments and digitalisation, Ibas highlighted\nthe challenges faced by Indonesian arts and culture, including\ntechnological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), NFTs,\nand digital galleries.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese technologies can be a great opportunity but also a threat if\nnot managed wisely,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Therefore, he assessed that collaboration between Indonesian cultural\ntraditions, both classical and modern pop, with technological\ninnovations needs to be strengthened so that Indonesian arts and culture\nremain relevant and able to compete in the global market.<\/p>\n
Ibas also highlighted the challenges faced by arts practitioners,\nfrom limited market access to low economic appreciation of artworks.\nAccording to him, the arts and culture sector is not only related to\nartistic expression but also to efforts to enlighten national life and\nimprove community welfare.<\/p>\n
\u201cArts workers must receive protection for intellectual property\nrights and policies that favour them, so they can develop their works\nwithout worry,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
To strengthen the arts and culture ecosystem, Ibas proposed several\nstrategic steps. Among them are cross-country promotion, strengthening\nthe role of SOEs in the tourism and culture sectors, and improving the\nquality of human resources in arts and culture such as curators and tour\nguides.<\/p>\n
He also gave special attention to museum management to remain\nrelevant in the digital era. According to him, digitisation of\ncollections, development of interactive features based on technology\nsuch as AI and video mapping, and strengthening digital platforms that\nintegrate museums across Indonesia need to be encouraged.<\/p>\n
\u201cMuseums must become living places, not just static spaces.\nTechnology enables us to present more engaging and educational\nexperiences,\u201d Ibas said.<\/p>\n
Ibas affirmed that arts are the successor to the nation\u2019s\ncivilisation as well as an instrument to strengthen national unity and\nsovereignty.<\/p>\n
\u201cArts is a universal language capable of penetrating any boundaries\nand becoming a connector between nations. Arts is not only a symbol of\nnational identity but also a reflection of values of tolerance,\ninclusivity, and social justice in national and state life,\u201d he\nadded.<\/p>\n
In the forum, several arts practitioners also conveyed aspirations\nregarding the challenges they face. Bayu Genia Chrisby from the National\nGallery highlighted the limitations of gallery infrastructure. Pradetya\nNovitri from the Titimangsa Foundation mentioned that theatre arts are\nincreasingly popular with the public but still require sustained state\nsupport. Dewi Ratna Ningsih, Putri Indonesia 2025, emphasised the\nimportance of welfare guarantees for arts practitioners, including\ninsurance.<\/p>\n
In addition, Nyoman Trianawati highlighted the need for support in\nspace and funding for the preservation of traditional dance. Kathalizsa\nand Agung Sentausa touched on limited access to funding, weak\nprofessional arts management, and the need for regulatory renewal in\nlabour that is more adaptive to creative industry developments.<\/p>\n
These views affirm the importance of synergy between the government,\nlegislature, and arts community to build a sustainable cultural\necosystem. The Democrat Party Faction also conveyed several strategic\nviews, including state favouritism through the Dana Indonesiana 2.0\nprogramme and the importance of regulations protecting the intellectual\nproperty rights of arts practitioners.<\/p>\n
As a form of support for the National Museum of Indonesia, Ibas\nhanded over symbolic assistance to the Head of the National Museum,\nIndira Estianty Nurjadin. The assistance is expected to support the\nmuseum\u2019s operations and development.<\/p>\n
Ibas also invited participants to tour the museum, including trying\nthe AI-based interactive feature \u2018Paras Nusantara\u2019 that scans visitors\u2019\nfaces, as well as viewing iconic collections such as the Bhairawa Statue\nand the Homo erectus fossil that has returned to Indonesia after more\nthan 130 years.<\/p>\n
This event affirms that strengthening the arts and culture sector is\nnot only the responsibility of the government but also requires support\nfrom the private sector, society, and cultural institutions.\nCollaboration is deemed important to build a sustainable ecosystem and\nencourage Indonesia to become a centre for creative culture.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ibas-promotes-arts-and-culture-as-national-identity-and-economic-driver-1776311448", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }