Final bow: arts centre PenangPac to shut down on Jan 15

PenangPac hosted nearly 1,000 arts performances and events over the 10 years since its opening in November 2011. Photo: Filepic

The Penang Performing Arts Centre (PenangPac) in George Town announced it will close permanently on Jan 15.

The Actors Studio and its funding partner Eastern Oriental Berhad have agreed to close PenangPac because it is no longer financially viable after two years of pandemic-related losses.

“This was not a decision we took lightly. It is indeed heartbreaking that PenangPac has to close down but we must face the facts and reality,” reads a statement by KLPac co-founders Datuk Faridah Merican and Joe Hasham.

Eight permanent staff and one freelancer would be laid off as a result of the closure. The permanent staff will be fully compensated by PenangPac for their losses.

The Friend of Strings Chamber ensemble performing at PenangPac in August 2014. Photo: The Star/ Jeremy Tan

Last November, the Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Group pulled its support from the performing arts venue after 10 years of patronage.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to Eastern & Oriental Berhad for partnering with The Actors Studio to set up PenangPac 10 years ago and housing us in Straits Quay where we have enjoyed 10 extraordinary years,” the statement continues.

PenangPac, arguably the northern region's only fully integrated arts centre, opened on Nov 11, 2011 to support the Penang arts scene following the closure of The Actors Studio's Greenhall branch in 2009.

A scene from the play Corporal PUNishment at PenangPac in May 2012. Photo: Filepic

The Actors Studio and E&O collaborated to build the 2,043sq m arts centre at Straits Quay in Seri Tanjung Pinang.

It has hosted nearly 1,000 performances and events (including 100 international troupes), entertained 250,000 theatregoers, educated nearly 1,500 students, reached out to more than 50 schools, and introduced 2,700 students to the world of arts and culture through free introductory workshops.

“PenangPac as an institution and space may cease to exist come Jan 15 but may the dream and hope to further the arts in Penang and the northern region continue to live on in all of us arts makers.

"One day, not too far off we hope, The Actors Studio may make a return to Penang,” the statement concludes.