Culture Ministry develops art talent through 2026 BBM Painting programme
The Ministry of Culture is encouraging the development of fine art talent through the Belajar Bersama Maestro (BBM) Painting 2026 programme, which brought together ten young artists with master painter I Gusti Nengah Nurata.
The programme concluded with an exhibition titled ‘Nature and the Living Environment’ at the Seruni Gallery, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design (FSRD), Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Surakarta, attended by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon.
‘These values and cultural roots must be understood and passed on by our younger generation to bring Nusantara fine art into the global mainstream,’ Fadli said in a statement received and confirmed in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Fadli said Indonesia’s cultural wealth is a cultural asset that can be developed to strengthen the position of Indonesian fine art on the world stage.
He cited the rock paintings at Leang Metanduno, Muna Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, estimated to be 67,800 years old, as one piece of evidence of the long history of cultural expression in the archipelago.
According to him, the development of fine art is also one of the priorities within the National Talent Management (MTN) framework.
The Ministry of Culture continues to encourage the works of Indonesian artists to appear on the international stage, including through Indonesia’s participation in the Venice Biennale, which runs until November 2026.
The government is also planning the revitalisation of the National Gallery of Indonesia so that it can become a more representative space for the development and appreciation of fine art.
The BBM Painting 2026 programme ran for 30 days, from 15 July to 15 August 2026. Ten young artists from five art education institutions took part in intensive mentoring with I Gusti Nengah Nurata.
Nurata said the learning process in the programme does not stop at mastering the techniques of creating works of art.
‘What we are building is not only technical ability, but also character, morals, and the philosophical depth of works that embody the nation’s identity,’ Nurata said.
The participants had the opportunity to engage in dialogue and explore the practice of artistic creation directly with the maestro. The process included learning about ideas, philosophy, and the meaning of life that form part of the creation of works.
The ‘Nature and the Living Environment’ exhibition served as a space to showcase the results of the participants’ residency process. The theme highlights the relationship between humans and nature, as well as the importance of protecting the environment as part of life and culture.
Rector of ISI Surakarta Bondet Wrahatnala appreciated the synergy with the Ministry of Culture through the programme. The campus is seen as a strategic space for bringing together tradition, innovation, maestros, and the younger generation.
The Ministry of Culture hopes that the works produced through the BBM programme can become the beginning of the creative journeys of young artists to strengthen the position of Indonesian fine art internationally.
The Ministry of Culture is also committed to continuing and expanding similar programmes to support cultural advancement, particularly through the development of innovation and the creation of works relevant to the younger generation.