CLA Champions Creative Arts and Culture Through Awards and Grants

Cambodian Living Arts celebrated artistic vibrancy and creative expression during the annual Amatak Award 2024, which serves as a vibrant intersection for beneficiaries, supporters, stakeholders, and the arts community

The annual Amatak Award stands as a cornerstone platform for Cambodia Living Arts (CLA), celebrating the remarkable achievements of Cambodian artists and cultural workers who have flourished through scholarships and grants. 

The celebration, which took place on December 4, 2024, at Raintree, not only recognised exceptional recipients through award presentations but also demonstrated CLA’s commitment to nurturing creative communities and a thriving cultural ecosystem.

During the event, artists shared their stories, contributing significantly to building a more inclusive and dynamic cultural landscape in Cambodia, bridging traditions with contemporary creative expressions.

It serves as a key platform for young creatives to express their artistic voices, as well as recognise the grantees and artists’ achievements and showcase new works and creativity.

The event also promotes inclusivity and diversity through the participation of artists from Cham, Indigenous, LGBTQ+ and other diverse communities, whose unique perspectives and creativity enriched the cultural dialogue. 

Additionally, its aim is to show how artistic voices and stories are powerful, with the artists helping to shape a more inclusive and vibrant cultural landscape in Cambodia.

“We make a difference in our community and reflect social change through the arts,” CLA said. It supports young creatives through scholarships and grants, which are demonstrated through their talents. 

Since its inception in 2022, the Amatak Award has become a key platform for CLA, honouring outstanding contributions while bringing together CLA’s beneficiaries, supporters, stakeholders and the wider arts community.

Presenting new ‘rap style’

Besides the Amatak Award, CLA’s grant programmes are offered to individuals and grassroots initiatives that require financial assistance for creativity, critical reflection and capacity building. 

Sang Sok Serey, a Cambodian rapper and receiver of CLA’s Dam Dos Grant, said she first learned about the organisation from a friend before engaging actively with its activities.  

Serey noted that CLA plays a vital role in promoting and raising awareness about the arts. The Dam Dos project focuses on RapNews, an initiative that transforms news into rap rather than speaking or reading. 

The approach benefits those who may not enjoy reading, particularly those who are not able to read or are visually impaired. They can listen to the news and gain knowledge while being entertained at the same time. 

“CLA plays a crucial role in promoting arts, particularly by supporting artists. It also fosters creative arts and offers grants, training, workshops and scholarships,” Serey said. 

Without the grant, she told Kiripost that she would not be able to complete her project or compensate her team. “I would like to encourage artists who have a clear goal but face financial challenges to reach out to CLA for support,” Serey said.

Indigenous talent on international stage

Yon Mondeth, an artist who graduated from the Royal University of Fine Arts with a degree in classical guitar, received a CLA New Creation Grant.  

Mondeth​ is an indigenous Brao from Pao village, Ta Veng Krom commune, Ta Veng district, Ratanakkiri province. “With the grant, I will use my skills to promote and preserve indigenous traditional music and Khmer traditional music as well,” he said. 

Indigenous communities often lack opportunities to showcase their culture and capabilities to the public, particularly Cambodians. This limits awareness of their tradition and heritage. 

Mondeth explained that the New Creation Grant Project 2024 has two objectives: to highlight love and perseverance in caring for natural resources and the environment, and to promote the preservation of indigenous culture and traditions.

The grant enabled him to showcase indigenous culture to the public. “Initially, I was not able to perform due to lack of funds to pay artists and arrange for the necessary instruments. However, with the grant, I could demonstrate my capabilities and share our indigenous culture with ASEAN countries in Thailand,” Mondeth told Kiripost. 

He said as an artist, he was eager to showcase indigenous culture and art, particularly the diverse traditions of indigenous living to the public. “I will seek more opportunities to enhance my ability to promote indigenous communities’ work to Cambodians and on the international stage,” Mondeth stated.