RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - Yogyakarta, long celebrated as one of Indonesia’s most vibrant centers for performing arts, is stepping up efforts to build a sustainable ecosystem that bridges culture and tourism.

Despite its wealth of artistic diversity, challenges remain in strengthening networks, governance, and the activation of performance spaces. Dialogue has therefore become a vital bridge to ensure the performing arts thrive as part of the broader creative economy.

On Friday, May 1, 2026, the Yogyakarta Performing Arts Discussion 2026 convened at Embung Giwangan Cultural Park under the theme Growing Performing Arts Destinations as Drivers of Tourism and Their Role in Advancing Culture and Sustainable Creative Economy Ecosystems.

Organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Loka Seni Indonesia, the forum sought to encourage professional, adaptive, and competitive management of performing arts through cross-sector partnerships.

The event gathered artists, venue managers, government officials, academics, and private stakeholders to formulate strategies aligned with Law No. 5/2017 on Cultural Advancement and the push for an inclusive creative economy.

Collaborations with Jogja Performa and YK Ria created spaces for dialogue that united different sectors in supporting a sustainable performing arts ecosystem.

Prominent voices enriched the discussions. Balinese artist and entrepreneur Anak Agung Gedhe Agung Rahma Putra emphasized the potential of commercial spaces to evolve into cultural destinations.

Dinda Intan Pramesti Putri, Managing Director of Jogja Festival, highlighted how festival ecosystems can boost local economies.

The Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta lecturer Jangkung Putra Pangestu spoke on creative management and collaborative governance, while Rajawali General Manager Tovic Raharja shared lessons from events such as Prambanan Jazz and Jogjarockarta in strengthening the arts ecosystem.

The program also featured performances at Embung Giwangan’s 500-seat open-air amphitheater, including the winner of the Sustainable Artist Initiative Program from Gunungkidul Regency.

The opening dance, Sasmito Tirto, portrayed the rhythm of life in Gunungkidul’s rocky, arid landscape - where water is both hardship and hope, reflecting resilience, tradition, and gratitude to God.

Alongside the forum, Jogja Performa debuted as a new platform to establish performing arts destinations within Yogyakarta city. Its inaugural musical theater production, Archipelago Series: Kencana Wungu, invited audiences to provide feedback through surveys to help shape future shows.

Producer Andy Setyanta explained that the initiative was born from a desire to pioneer performances in public spaces.

“Embung Giwangan already has good facilities, but audiences usually go to Prambanan or other established destinations. This is a chance to test whether city-based performances can attract attention,” he said.

Andy added that the team is experimenting with ticketing, with prices ranging from IDR 50,000 to IDR 250,000 (USD 2.88–USD 14.42), to gauge audience willingness to pay for quality productions.

“The hope is that this event becomes continuous, with more collaborators joining. It could grow into a new tourism option for Yogyakarta,” he noted.

Meanwhile, YK Ria energized the program with a pop-up creative market featuring merchandise stalls, culinary booths, and street performances.

Running throughout the two-day program from May 1–2, 2026, this lively addition complemented the forum with a festival-like atmosphere that encouraged audiences to engage beyond the stage.

The forum is expected to generate strategic recommendations and collaborative models that reinforce performing arts as a cornerstone of cultural development and sustainable tourism in Yogyakarta.

The initiative will continue with another performance on June 26, 2026, featuring Archipelago Series: Loka Pala Yudha.

As Yogyakarta experiments with new platforms and public spaces, the city signals a broader ambition: to position itself not only as Indonesia’s cultural capital but also as a destination where performing arts drive economic and social vitality. ***