Ministry of Culture to Broaden Arts Funding in Underserved Regions

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Culture will expand endowment funding to more arts communities in underserved regions, aiming to provide equitable support for cultural organizations across Indonesia.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said the program will include documentation of maestros and other cultural expressions. He emphasized that there is no limit to the number of beneficiaries in each region.

“This covers documentation of maestros, dance, culture, language, and more. There is no limit to the number of beneficiaries in each region,” Fadli Zon stated after the launch of the 2026 Great Indonesia Fund Program at the Ministry of Education and Culture Building in South Jakarta, Thursday, April 2, 2026.

He acknowledged that most recipients of the cultural endowment fund are still concentrated in Java, although Sumatra and Bali have also received significant allocations in recent years.

The government has tasked the Cultural Preservation Centers (BPK) to actively assist prospective beneficiaries. These centers, now expanded from 23 to 33 provinces, serve as implementing partners at the regional level.

“We hope to establish a unified framework in each province that includes existing communities and studios. Recommendations from the Cultural Preservation Centers will also play a role,” he said.

To improve access, the ministry has streamlined administrative procedures. Applications and reporting are now conducted through a digital platform, ensuring transparency and accurate data management.

“The data can now be entered directly into the database,” Fadli Zon explained, noting that the previous process was cumbersome, requiring scanned documents and manual retyping of reports.

The ministry is strengthening support for cultural actors by increasing the Cultural Endowment Fund, which has grown from IDR 5 trillion to IDR 6 trillion. Around IDR 500 billion has been allocated for 2026.

“The Cultural Endowment Fund continues to grow. The accumulated principal has increased, and in 2026, the allocation will reach approximately IDR 500 billion,” Minister Fadli Zon said.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, Bambang Wibawarta, added that the Great Indonesia Fund aims to deliver inclusive social impact. The program prioritizes women and children and provides special support for people with disabilities.

Local administrations and BPK centers play a crucial role in assisting applicants with data entry into the ministry’s information system. A professional jury team has been established to ensure the selection process is fair and transparent.

“This program must deliver real impact, especially for small communities and cultural groups. It should strengthen networks and provide affirmation for women, children, and people with disabilities,” Bambang said. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)