IPOH: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is set to open the third National Art Gallery here, after Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi in Kedah, offering visitors the country's most extensive immersive exhibition.
The ministry's secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot (pic) said the new branch, which would begin operating in the iconic Ipoh Old Post Office building next year, was expected to serve as a contemporary art hub benefiting the art community.
"In terms of tourism, it will certainly have a positive impact, with more visitors expected to come and see the collections at the National Art Gallery.
"In the future, we will also upgrade the National Art Gallery and introduce immersive exhibitions here, which will be among the largest in Malaysia," he said when met after officiating the Ipoh Suka Langka Programme here Friday (Sept 19) night.
Also present was National Art Gallery director-general Amerrudin Ahmad.
The Ipoh branch of the National Art Gallery will showcase visual arts with elements of digitalisation, with two main exhibition spaces featuring masterpieces by artists from Malaysia and Southeast Asia, while the lower level will be used for immersive exhibitions.
Shaharuddin said the National Art Gallery would also feature tourism and art products showcasing historical sites, particularly in Perak, to draw more visitors to the state.
In another development, he said the ministry had so far visited more than 15 countries, including Switzerland, Poland, Thailand, Beijing and India, to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2026 as tourism and business destinations.
"Preparations are running smoothly and the next programme will take place in Melaka at the end of this month. We have also just concluded the Malaysia Cultural Festival 2025, which is also part of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign.
"The programme drew strong response from Malaysians as well as foreign tourists. We will therefore continue organising programmes to attract tourists, particularly for Visit Malaysia Year 2026," he said. - Bernama
