Indonesian Art Policy Advocacy Class (AKSI Class) was Commenced
Jakarta – Art activists now have their new ammunition on policy advocacy with the launch of Indonesian Art Policy Advocacy Class (AKSI Class). The class was initiated to help art activists understand art policy and how to encourage or prevent its change.
“The state should not be left alone in managing the arts. We need to work independently to improve the arts ecosystem through policy advocacy. Today’s launch of the AKSI Class program is one of the efforts of the Indonesian art coalition, Koalisi Seni, to create more art policy advocacy agents in Indonesia,” said Chairman of Koalisi Seni, Kusen Alipah Hadi, on Thursday, June 3, 2021.
The AKSI class is designed to equip participants with knowledge about the importance of policy in the arts ecosystem. The ‘students’ are taught to be aware of the policy advocacy process, lobbying techniques, and making and implementing strategy for policy campaigns. The learning material is a combination of theories, case studies, and the tasks to designing policy advocacy.
The AKSI Class was launched with collaboration of Koalisi Seni and Indonesia Jentera School of Law (STH) as a part of Koalisi Seni’s strategic partnership between STH Jentera’s research centre, namely the Centre of Law and Policy Studies (PSHK).
Koalisi Seni and PSHK have a long history in advocating various policies, including the draft of the Culture Bill (RUU), the Film Bill, the draft of the Government Regulation on tax incentives for cultural arts donations, and the Music Bill. Koalisi Seni and PSHK also work together to initiate several talks on various issues such as the legal framework for arts, philanthropic tax incentives, and the protection of freedom of expression.
“We accept this collaboration invitation because we agree that policy advocacy in the arts sector is also important. So far, art and artists have often been used in various policy advocacy campaigns, such as in efforts to protect human rights and fight against the weakening of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). However, the artists have limited resources to fix their own ecosystem,” said the Head of Constitutional and Legislative Studies of STH Indonesia Jentera and Director of Advocacy and Network of PSHK, Fajri Nursyamsi.
At the end of 2019, the AKSI trial class was held in Jakarta. The class was attended by 20 members of Koalisi Seni from various regions. They provided valuable inputs to improve the module as well as the learning flow and system. Among the participants is Yuyun Sulastri, Chairperson of the Kabunga Arts and Culture Association.
After participating in the trial, Yuyun said that she became more active in advocating art policy in Malang City. In early March 2020, she successfully raised funds for Rasimun, an umbrella art maestro who was sick and in dire need of financial assistance. At the beginning of the pandemic, Yuyun was motivated to identify artists impacted by the pandemic so they could get aid from the City Government.
Before AKSI Class, Yuyun said she had never dared to take such an initiative. “Since I joined Koalisi Seni and attended the AKSI Class, I started to have more bravery,” he said.
The AKSI class was originally designed to be carried out with offline meetings. However, the pandemic situations forced the class to be held online. Luckily, the class modules and learning videos can be downloaded for free at koalisiseni.or.id/kelasaksi and further advanced online sessions will soon be held. This year, an indepth class will be carried out exclusively for members of Koalisi Seni, while next year it will be expanded for art activists and the public.
Download this press release here.
The launch was also enlivened by an Instagram Live discussion. Check out the fun here:
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Translation: Moyang Kasih
