by Fitri Hazim Hazam
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 — The state government will introduce a creative economy policy to develop entrepreneurs in the field to be more sustainable and viable.
State executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Najwan Halimi said the policy will be formulated after considering the views of digital art industry players and stakeholders at an engagement session in April.
“After Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we will gather industry players and stakeholders together to get feedback on their needs at the Selangor Creative Economy Symposium.
“The creative economy segment is a priority for the state government because they are less well-respected, so we want to make sure that these potential and talented industry players are not left behind,” said Najwan Halimi at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Puncak Alam ‘Beyond by Bold 2024′ Graphic Arts and Digital Media Exhibition held here yesterday.
Najwan added that the Selangor Cultural Entrepreneurs Fund amounting to RM2 million will be launched by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari this month to encourage players in the digital art industry to expand their innovation.
“Previously, the state government provided the Micro Entrepreneur Fund, which we have nerved with the Selangor Civil Entrepreneur Fund.
“We will expand the grant of funds through this new scope not only to conventional entrepreneurs such as food manufacturing who are given grants, but we will also expand to players in the creative economy industry,” he said.
Meanwhile, the graphic designs and digital media artworks of 115 students of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Puncak Alam were put on display at the ‘Beyond by Bold 2024′ exhibition at Fahrenheit 88, Bukit Bintang held yesterday.
UiTM Puncak Alam Graphics & Digital Media senior lecturer Nor Fadzilah Ibaruslan said the exhibition aims to expose students to the creative industry, while mastering the latest advances in the digital economy.
She said the participants consisted of students majoring in Advertising, Graphic Design, Illustration and Multimedia.
“In addition to exposing the students’ creativity to the community, we want to expose students to be involved in the gig economy sector and build their own businesses that can generate income.
“This exhibition, will give students an opportunity to interact with creative arts industry figures and academics as well as showcase their work,” she said.
Nor Fadzilah explained that the exhibition was held for the first time for five days starting yesterday until February 14.
“It also aims to celebrate the students’ success in exhibiting quality work through their hard work over six semesters of study.
“We also invited students from other educational institutions to attend the exhibition to inspire them to delve into the creative arts industry,” she said.
