Jakarta and Milan Artists to Collaborate: Vice Governor Rano Emphasises the Importance of Art in Public Spaces

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The Jakarta Provincial Government is strengthening its collaboration with the City of Milan, Italy, in the field of public art. Artists from both cities will work together on workshops and urban art installations, planned for July 2026. The program will feature workshops and urban art installations created collaboratively by artists from Jakarta and Milan. This collaboration is expected to enhance Jakarta’s public spaces while also providing opportunities for young artists to learn, exchange international experiences, and expand their global creative networks. This strengthened cooperation was discussed during a meeting between the Vice Governor of Jakarta, Rano Karno, and the Deputy Mayor of Milan, Anna Scavuzzo, at Milan City Hall on Tuesday, May 13, 2026. “Jakarta wants public spaces to be more than just places to pass through, but also spaces for interaction, creativity, and civic pride. Art must be accessible to the community,” said Vice Governor Rano in a statement on Friday, June 15, 2026. In addition, the two cities will cooperate on the development of urban spaces, the creative economy, and urban food security. The Jakarta delegation also studied the management of historical areas, museums, and public spaces in Milan to ensure they remain vibrant, comfortable, and able to drive the local economy through tourism, culture, and creative activities. Besides art and culture, the two cities discussed strengthening cooperation on urban food security through the development of urban farming, reducing food waste, and creating a more modern and efficient food distribution system. This collaboration is expected to support Jakarta’s efforts to maintain food stability while also promoting healthier and more sustainable consumption patterns among its citizens. Jakarta is also encouraging cooperation between museums and cultural exchanges between museums in Jakarta and MUDEC – Museo delle Culture, to strengthen cultural education and open up international learning opportunities for young people in Jakarta. On this occasion, the City of Milan also expressed its support for Jakarta’s plan to participate in the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact as part of its commitment to strengthening healthy, inclusive, and sustainable urban food systems. The Jakarta Provincial Government affirmed that every international collaboration will ensure tangible benefits for the community, ranging from better public spaces, economic opportunities for young people, strengthening the cultural and tourism sectors, to improving the quality of life for city residents. Culture in urban life Vice Governor Rano Karno attended the Jakarta-Milan Leadership Exchange Programme, which took place at the Museo delle Culture or MUDEC, Milan, from May 9-16, 2026. This program serves as a platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences between Jakarta and Milan in the development of cultural policies, public art, and the activation of urban spaces. The event was attended by Isabella Valentini (World Cities Culture Forum), Marina Pugliese, a representative of the City of Milan, and delegates and cultural communities from Jakarta and Milan. The Jakarta delegation was accompanied by Muhammad Aidil Usman from the Fine Arts Committee of the Jakarta Arts Council, Mochammad Shabar Untung, Chairman of the Jakarta Mural Community, and Lambertus Berto Tukan from the Jakarta 500 Curator Team and Gudskul. The Leadership Exchange Programme is an inter-city program within the World Cities Culture Forum network that aims to encourage direct learning and strengthen the implementation of cultural policies between global cities. This year, Jakarta is one of 19 cities in the world selected for the program, with the theme “Public Art and Co-Creation.” Through this theme, Jakarta and Milan are promoting the development of community-based public art through collaboration between the government, cultural institutions, creative communities, artists, and the public.