Move to expand creative hubs across UK and South-East Asia

Guests at the launch of the UK-SEA Creative Hubs Connect organised by the British Council, Mereka Connect and Baltic Creative CIC at Publika Shopping Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.

BRITISH Council has expanded its Hubs for Good initiative across South-East Asia with the launch of the UK-SEA Creative Hubs Connect programme.

The programme offers UK and South-East Asian creative hub communities an opportunity to come together to connect, exchange, collaborate and form a lasting network, as well as expand their audience.

The council has teamed up with Mereka Connect as the anchor South-East Asian partner and hosting platform, and Baltic Creative CIC as the anchor UK partner.

At the programme launch held at Publika Shopping Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, British Council Malaysia head of Arts and Creative Industries Florence Lambert said this collaboration would allow experts across five countries in South-East Asia and in the UK to expand their creative spaces.

The five countries are Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.According to Mereka Connect, the platform acts as a booking management system, allows for exhibitions and educational programmes to be organised virtually while acting as an engagement tool among the creators and their audience. The topics and online activities offered on Mereka Connect vary from arts and crafts, music, education, and environment which are conducted through workshops and talks.

There are events which are conducted for free by the respective experts, however the fees can range from as low as RM5 to several hundreds.

Speaking at the launch, CEO of Mereka Connect and Biji-Biji Initiative Rashvin Pal Singh said through the network, it was its goal for hubs to learn from their peers across the region while connecting with a wider audience.

“Thus, it is a goal of Mereka Connect to serve the needs of these creators and to secure more bookings in the future for their talented services,” he said.

Lambert said the British Council was proud to support the new and unique networking platform.

“Creative Hubs Connect acts as a bridge among other creative hubs to help reach across the different countries, fostering creative explorations and collaborations.”

Those who would like to know more about the UK-SEA Creative Hubs Connect programme can visit their website at https://hubs.mereka.io/creative-connect.