Grants and Commercial Funding for Arts and Digital Creative Community in Penang
Penang Living Lab for Advancing the Creative Economy (PLLACE)
Duration: 120 minutes without intermission
Seating: Free Seating
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Duration: 120 minutes without intermission
Seating: Free Seating
Ticketing
About
Overview
Access to funding is one of the most critical challenges faced by creative entrepreneurs. This panel brings together experts and practitioners to unpack the many financial avenues available for creative enterprises in Penang. From government grants and public schemes to private loans, angel investors, venture capital, philanthropic funding, and even crowdfunding, the session will break down what each option offers, who it's best suited for, and how to get started. Panelists will share not only funding mechanisms but also the strategies and mindset needed to attract support, manage resources, and build sustainable businesses. Whether you're just starting or looking to scale, this session provides a roadmap to understanding and navigating the financial landscape of Penang’s creative economy.
Who Should Join
This panel is ideal for creative founders, entrepreneurs, freelancers, arts administrators, fundraisers, and anyone interested in securing financial support for creative initiatives or building viable business models within the creative sector.
Panel Members
Moderator
Mr Joe Sidek (Festival Director, Penang's George Town Festival 2010 -2017) (TBC)
Panel
- Mr. Kevin Aziz Lee (Creative Director, Mad Hatters Studios)
- Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) (TBC)
Other Panel Sessions
In addition to this session, we have a series of panel discussions held each evening, each one built around a daily theme highlighting a different aspect of Penang’s creative sector.
| Days | Topics |
| 19 August (Tuesday) | Opening Night with YB Wong Hon Wai |
| 20 August (Wednesday) | Createch: Arts and Heritage Meeting Digital Creativity |
| 21 August (Thursday) | Opportunities to Grow the Crafts, Fine Arts & Visual Arts Sectors in Penang |
| 22 August (Friday) | Stories of Successes: Creative Enterprises |
| 23 August (Saturday) | Grants and Commercial Funding for the Arts and Digital Creative Community |
| 24 August (Sunday) | Institutional Development & Intellectual Property Rights |
| 25 August (Monday) | Developing Talent for Penang’s Creative Industries: Skills, Training, and Retention |
You may register for multiple sessions by visiting our main event profile.
About PLLACE Living Lab
The Living Lab will take place in Digital Penang, featuring a series of panel discussions, public dialogues, and co-creation activities aimed at exploring practical strategies for developing Penang’s creative industries. Each day of the Living Lab includes three main components:
- Evening panel sessions featuring different key topics related to creative industries in Penang. (8pm to 9pm)
- A showcase of creative startups and organisations, where participating teams exhibit their products or prototypes and receive user feedback for refinement and improvement. (3pm to 10pm)
- Interactive research booths, where the public is invited to share opinions and insights related to ongoing research themes, helping the team further understand community perspectives. (3pm to 10pm)
Using a living lab methodology, PLLACE brings together creative practitioners, government agencies, researchers, and citizens to collaboratively design new solutions, training concepts, and policy ideas in real-world settings. This initiative hopes to contribute to Penang’s long-term creative economy goals by addressing current challenges while encouraging sustainable, inclusive growth.
About PLLACE Research
The Penang Living Lab for Advancing the Creative Economy (PLLACE) is a research-driven initiative focused on strengthening Penang’s creative sector through co-creation, policy development, and collaborative innovation. Funded by the British Academy (UK), PLLACE is jointly carried out by researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Greenwich, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.
