Penang Living Lab for Advancing the Creative Economy (PLLACE)

Penang Creative Industries Living Lab by PLLACE

Are you passionate about the creative industries? Whether you are an artist, run a creative business, or simply want to help shape Penang’s creative future—come and join us. The Living Lab is a real-world innovation space where you can co-create prototypes, test ideas, offer feedback, shape training curricula and creative sector policies. It is a hands-on opportunity for artists, creators, entrepreneurs, and the public to collaborate on solutions that matter. Instead of developing ideas in isolation, we work together to make innovation practical and relevant - putting you at the centre of the process. 

About the PLLACE Project

The Penang Living Lab for Advancing the Creative Economy (PLLACE) project is a research project funded by the British Academy (UK). It investigates several aspects of the creative industries in Penang, focusing on the development of policies and strategies, creative talents and skills, and innovation (both digital & heritage-based) to propel the creative industries in Penang, Malaysia. It aims to strengthen the Penang creative industries through several key initiatives. These include identifying skill gaps among creative entrepreneurs, developing targeted training programmes, studying successful heritage-embedded innovation, and gaining a deeper understanding of entrepreneurs' journeys—exploring their motivations, challenges, and capabilities. Central to the project is facilitating co-creation opportunities through a Living Lab approach, which encourages innovation and enhances the agency of the creative classes.