Art Moments Officially Opens, Creative Economy Minister: Fine Art is the Nation's Soft Power
The Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, has officially opened the Art Moments Jakarta 2026 art exhibition, which runs from 5–7 June at the Thamrin Nine Building, Jakarta.
In his speech, the Minister emphasised that fine arts are not merely a form of cultural expression, but an essential pillar within Indonesia’s creative economy ecosystem, possessing high economic value. He likened art to the nation’s soft power.
“The creative economy, particularly the arts today, is not just about economic transactions, but also about how creativity becomes a nation’s soft power. How works of art are able to build influence, open dialogues, and strengthen Indonesia’s cultural identity in the eyes of the world,” Teuku Rief_ky stated during the opening ceremony on Thursday (4/6).
On this occasion, the Minister also highlighted that Indonesian fine arts possess great potential in strengthening Indonesia’s positioning on the global stage. Through the development of Intellectual Property (IP), local artworks can become long-term economic assets.
“Art possesses not only cultural value but also economic value, intellectual property, and an increasing influence in building Indonesia’s image globally,” he added.
This year, Art Moments Jakarta carries the theme ‘Intimacy of Offering: Matter and Memory Connection’. According to the Minister, this theme is highly relevant to current social conditions, where meaning often arises from simple things such as attention, memory, and cultural values passed down through generations.
He also expressed his appreciation for the consistency of Art Moments Jakarta in providing a collaborative space for artists, gallery owners, collectors, and curators. “This is important because the creative economy today is not just about economic transactions, but also about how creativity becomes a nation’s soft power,” he asserted.
Concluding his speech, Teuku Riefky expressed his hope that Art Moments Jakarta 2026 would spark new enthusiasm among creative industry players. “I hope this event continues to serve as a space to strengthen collaboration, expand networks, and provide inspiration for the future development of Indonesia’s arts and creative economy,” Riefky concluded.