Penang Art District

The Penang State Government has identified a 9.2 acres of PDC and state land situated off Gat Lebuh McCallum and Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, a mere 500 metres away from the original proposed site. With a much larger land area without the limitations of existing buildings and structures, the new site provides greater flexibility and new possibilities for the Penang Arts District. 

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told a press conference today with advisor for Penang Arts Division Datuk Dr Tan Chee Kuan and general manager of PDC Datuk Rosli Jaafar. The Penang Arts District will also drive the revitalisation of the McCallum area, catalysing urban renewal in an area adjacent to the Georgetown UNESCO heritage zone, creating more employment opportunities for Penangites and greater value-added service industry. 

Media Statement by Y.A.B Tuan Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister on 22 June 2016 in Komtar, George Town, Penang PENANG ARTS DISTRICT’S CALL FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION APPLICANTS As an initiative to catalyse the economic impact of the creative industry in Penang, The Penang State Government has envisioned Penang Arts District to be the creative hub of Penang’s contemporary arts and culture. Originally, the Penang State Government was to embark on a project to regenerate and revitalise Sia Boey into the Penang Arts District as previously announced. However, Sia Boey was later identified as a likely site to be transformed into a transportation hub for the planned Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Mass Rail Transit (MRT) interchange under the Penang Transport Master Plan. As a result, due to the likely uncertainty as well as the likely construction period of as much as 10 years, the state has decided that the Penang Arts District will be better served at an alternative location. The Penang State Government has identified a 9.2 acres piece of PDC and state land situated off Gat Lebuh McCallum and Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, a mere 500 metres away from the original proposed site. With a much larger land area without the limitations of existing buildings and structures, the new site provides greater flexibility and new possibilities for the Penang Arts District. 

The new site can cater to the single largest collection of art galleries and cultural museums, creative boutiques, arts schools and workshops in Malaysia. We would of course not forget to populate the scene with hip cafes and trendy restaurants serving local and international cuisines to further enhance Penang’s reputation as the food capital of the region. We are confident that the Penang Arts District will become a must-visit arts destination of Southeast Asia. 

The Penang Arts District will also drive the revitalisation of the McCallum area, catalysing urban renewal in an area adjacent to the Georgetown UNESCO heritage zone, creating more employment opportunities for Penangites and greater value-added services industry. To support the setting up of Penang Arts District, we have appointed Dato’ Dr Tan Chee Khuan as an advisor for this project. Dato’ Dr Tan is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Penang State Art Gallery Committee and a prominent art collector, historian and writer. He has one of the largest private art collections in the state and frequently donates his collections to the Penang State Museum and Art Gallery for the public. I am certain that Dato’ Dr Tan will be able to guide and lead the state in ensuring the success of the Penang Arts District. 

The Penang Arts District team under Penang Conventions & Exhibitions Board (PCEB) has envisioned the venue to incorporate an 80,000 square feet container city and a 3-acre landscaped park. Such container cities have been successfully developed in Christchurch, Seoul, Dubai and Buenos Aires. (Pictures are included in the media kit.) They are quick to build and can be artistically composed and easily reconfigured. They will also reflect Penang’s heritage as an important shipping port. 

As we move forward, we are now excited to call for a Pre-Qualification proposal and submissions this exciting project. Designers, architects and contractors who are interested in participating in this landmark project may download the Pre-Qualification documents online via Penang Arts District’s website, www.penangartsdistrict.com. The project is expected to cost up to RM30 million. There will also be a compulsory briefing and site visit for interested participants on 30 June 2016. The deadline for submission is 23 August 2016. Shortlisted bidders from the Pre-Qualification exercise will then be requested to take part in a design and build tender exercise expected in September 2016. In the meantime, the Penang Arts District team will be running engagement programmes to get in touch with the relevant stakeholders of this project. We invite those who have fascinating proposals, or are interested in a space at the arts district, to contact the team. We look forward to receiving interesting conceptual ideas for the design and build of Penang Arts District. This marks for exciting times ahead as we embark on a journey in transforming Penang into a truly international and most liveable city in the world. LIM GUAN ENG Chief Minister of Penang 

This is indeed an overdue project as Penang has a large pool of artistic talent who have been active in their works behind the limelight. Their presence are elusive due to lack of venue to promote their, not to mention the less enthusiastic public. 

With a venue like the proposed Penang Art District, artists will finally have a proper platform to showcase their works while the public will find it convenient to appreciate art right at their backyard. This project is indeed the music to the ear of the art community in Penang.