Kongsi School and Kakiseni Junior launch arts and culture programmes

Artist Afi Sulaiman (centre) holding a trial session during Kakiseni Junior's recent launch event to promote its online arts series. Photo: The Star/Art Chen

KongsiKL, a creative hub, and Kakiseni, an arts portal, have rolled out new public programmes to make the arts accessible.

KongsiKL's Kongsi School, which begins on March 12, will turn the 929sq m warehouse space into a weekend learning centre for fully-vaccinated teens and adults.

“In 2022, we want to open our doors to those who seek opportunities and space for self improvement, including people who do not identify as artists,” shares Mah Jun Yi, KongsiKL’s art manager.

Start your Saturday morning by cultivating self love with a guided Hatha Yoga class by Eden Lim. Then, move on to a step-by-step crash course on watercolour painting by Jerome Liew. If that doesn’t suit your fancy, try out a handpan class by drummer Thong Yoong How, who trained with Hands Percussion.

In the afternoon, learn the basics of mural painting from Jon Tham, while contemporary dance techniques will be shared by dancer/choreographer Steve Goh.

KongsiKL's Kongsi School aims to introduce a variety of arts classes to the masses, including contemporary dance sessions. Photo: Taka Chang

The 12-week term includes both long-term paid classes and short-term paid workshops which may happen at the same time at different locations in KongsiKL to encourage cross-disciplinary learning.

These will culminate in the Kongsi School Open Day, which falls on the last weekend of the semester, where each class can choose to either participate in a mini showcase or carry on with class as usual.

The large, well-ventilated space at KongsiKL allows for a class of 30 people participating in vigorous activities and 20 doing desk work.

“We are also aware that many people crave physical interactions and are eager to accomplish something after going through the pandemic years that felt like a void.

“Apart from that, we believe that artistic experiences can contribute to our wellbeing in general, whether or not one chooses to pursue that as a career,” adds Mah.

The KongsiKL warehouse space in KL, where the Kongsi School programmes will take place. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong

This is not the first time KongsiKL is organising an arts class and workshop series. Since 2019, the KongsiKL team has hosted sessions like lighting design workshops, acting classes and even an activism poster design workshop.

“The workshops hosted back then were planned as one-off events and we were not able to see the ripple effects of these sessions. With Kongsi School Open Day, participants will be able to work towards a tangible goal and have a sense of accomplishment after the semester,” says Mah.

In the digital realm

Kakiseni Junior is an online platform that helps parents and teachers find creative classes for their young children and teenagers. It offers paid classes (mostly online) in performing arts, traditional arts, visual arts, and life skills/motivational skills.

Kakiseni Junior is supported by Yayasan Sime Darby as part of its Arts and Culture pillar. It provides a platform for art practitioners to promote their classes, and allow teachers to conduct lessons in a safe environment.

“Why is an online platform like Kakiseni Junior vital? There is a need for a structured and inclusive medium to connect parents and teachers with Malaysian arts practitioners who want to share their expertises.

“It is all about reminding how important arts appreciation and education are as well as ensuring easy access to parents to choose and select. This has been a pain point for parents and we hope we solve this via Kakiseni Junior,” shares Low Ngai Yuen, Kakiseni president.

Kakiseni president Low Ngai Yuen says there is a need for a structured and inclusive medium to connect parents and teachers with Malaysian arts practitioners. Photo: The Star/Art Chen

Since the website's soft launch in June last year, the team has been working with over 100 arts practitioners who have registered as service providers with Kakiseni Junior. So far, over 40 classes have been conducted, with students as young as four to adults in their 30s.

Also, a fixed processing fee of RM5 is applied to each transaction on Kakiseni Junior to support the SeniMAD (Seni Making A Difference) outreach programme. SeniMAD provides free creative classes to children in underserved communities in public schools and community spaces.

Yayasan Sime Darby has also paid forward four editions of SeniMAD programme to benefit 160 children in selected low-cost housing areas and community centres like PPR Seri Semarak in Setapak and Buku Jalanan Yayasan Chow Kit starting this month. It is open to 40 children from each community.

“With Kakiseni Junior, not only will the children be exposed to lots of different ways to stimulate the way they think, a parent will also be supporting some less privileged children to have the same opportunities,” concludes Low.