Contemporary Arts Making and Creative Expression Among Young Cambodians
Contemporary Arts Making and Creative Expression Among Young Cambodians was a Phase 2 Large Grant Project.
This project analysed the contemporary expressions of young Cambodian artists and their relationship to post-conflict identity. It examined how arts NGOs support and shape these activities, and reflects on the challenges they face. These interlinked foci was achieved by examining the work of one of Cambodia’s leading arts NGOs, Cambodian Living Arts (CLA), through their 2020 Cultural Season. The Season supports young artists from across Cambodia in developing and showcasing new work and encourages young audiences to attend artistic events.
Specifically, the research examined key concerns of young Cambodian artists, traces how this affects their creative process, and analyses how the resulting works are received among their peers. In so doing, it examined the varied relationships young people have to past conflicts and the extent to which these shape creative production. By orienting its focus organisationally, the research examined the role of CLA in developing a post-conflict creative sphere, considers which visions and voices are heard, and discussed how CLA can support contemporary artistic expression.
Methodologically, the project examined the process of selecting, developing, performing and interpreting new works by observing the selection and development process in meetings and rehearsals, and by interviewing artists and CLA employees about their experiences. The content and form of the final works was examined using performance analysis, and their interpretation investigated by undertaking qualitative and quantitative investigation of audience reception through student taster performances, post-show talk backs and surveys.
Watch CELL by Ka Kou, a dance film commissioned by the project and based on the project's research findings.
Project Location
Project location
Resource Archive
Search or browse the resource archive for films, reports, toolkits and other resources produced by the Changing the Story and its commissioned projects. Items relating to Cambodia are listed below:
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