THE Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) is striving to make the arts accessible to everyone as it celebrates its 19th anniversary this year.
In line with its new access and development initiative, dubbed KLPAC Connect, the longstanding arts venue held a free Music Play Date concert last month.
This saw a 250-strong audience enjoying the KLPAC Symphonic Band's outdoor programme while picnicking under banyan trees.
"With KLPAC Connect, we hope to do our bit to improve access to the arts and broaden our reach to different communities.
"For example, to make it easier for families with young children to attend live performances, we will have more casual shows like Music Play Date free of charge as well as improve our amenities," said KLPAC general manager Ian Chow in a recent statement on the initiative supported by Yayasan Sime Darby.
He added: "Apart from that, there are other initiatives for schools, persons with disabilities, performers, and also members of the public."
Yayasan Sime Darby chairman, Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar said: "We met each other in 2013, when KLPAC was on the brink of closing its doors to the public due to funding challenges."
"In conjunction with our 11-year partnership celebration, we are launching the KLPAC Connect programme to continue nurturing an even more inclusive arts community, especially for children, as the arts are essential for wholesome education and personal development," said Tunku Imran.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR SPONSORED STUDENTS TICKETS.b>
Under KLPAC Connect, 500 sponsored student tickets will be distributed to school students aged nine to 25 over a year in a bid to provide young people with early exposure to the arts and the chance to experience live performances.
KLPAC has just announced its first open call for four performances – Perhiasan Kaca, Jingju Magic: Love & Bewilderment, The Age of Romance and Tunes from the East II.
Due to limited availability, priority will be given to first-timers from public schools especially those from rural or out-of-state locations.
Schools can register their interest to obtain these sponsored student tickets via https://bit.ly/klpac-connect-registration.
NEW AMENITIES
To make it easier for families with young children to attend theatre and watch live performances, KLPAC has three more casual and fuss-free shows like Music Play Date in the pipeline which are educational and interactive.
Apart from that, families can now make use of the diaper changing tables as well as loan booster seats and ear defenders for their young ones or those sensitive to loud noises from its Front-of-House team at KLPAC's in-house performances.
Its Academy has also created a cozy reading nook on Level 3 outside its studios.
In terms of disability access, it has added a brand-new pushchair that can be loaned out to those who need it to ease their visit. Accessible seating can also be booked via its box office.
In the near future, a new reception counter that is more aligned to universal design principles will be installed which features a lowered countertop.
OTHER PROGRAMMES
Members of the public can also enjoy various pre or post-show educational talks that offer deeper insights into the creation process as well as the various talents involved.
The next one will be held in conjunction with the staging of Perhiasan Kaca on June 30 and July 7 July.
Two pre-show touch tours for the blind will also be piloted for the visually impaired or the blind to enhance their theatre-going experience.
To counter the post-pandemic talent drain, KLPAC will be running mentor-mentee projects with hands-on opportunities to work on productions. Look out for the open calls on www.klpac.org.
ARTS FOR EVERYONE
Programmes like KLPAC Connect are crucial to the overall ecosystem of the arts industry, levelling the playing field and ensuring more people have the chance to access and experience what Malaysian arts can offer.
Individuals or organisations who wish to help grow KLPAC Connect and spread its reach to more communities through donations or sponsorship of a particular programme can e-mail yuemay@klpac.org or maggie@klpac.org.