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.
