Krishen Jit Fund: keeping creativity alive in the arts

The Krishen Jit Fund, now in its 18th year, is open for applications.

The fund, supported by Astro and Creador Foundation, was created to encourage and support experimental creative work in Malaysia.

One of the main objectives of theatre director Krishen Jit’s (1939-2005) pioneering work was to celebrate original Malaysian art, across a range of disciplines, and to pursue innovative modes of expression and intervention.

“The Krishen Jit Fund is delighted to continue supporting the essential work of arts and cultural practitioners in Malaysia. In these challenging times, we know that artists will find ways to make exciting, potent and thought-provoking art,” outlines a statement from Five Arts Centre, which manages the fund.

The Krishen Jit Fund has supported 84 grantees and projects over the past 17 years.

The fund gives out grants between RM1,000 and RM20,000 for: workshops, attachments / residencies, experimental productions, research and documentation, writing, creating new work in music, dance, theatre, writing, film, visual / performance art and others.

The Krishen Jit Fund aims to be inclusive, but work sited in Malaysia will be given preference. All arts practitioners in Malaysia are eligible to apply. Application deadline is July 31.

The selection panel for awarding the grants comprises: Suhaimi bin Abdul Rahim (director, Arts and Culture Enhancement Division, National Department for Culture and Arts, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Malaysia), Jolyn Gasper (senior AVP, Sustainability, Astro), Maha Subramaniam (vice president, Creador Foundation), Leow Puay Tin (associate professor, School of Arts, Sunway University) and Ravi Navaratnam (Five Arts Centre member).