Thai artists plan to wear black and gather at the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC) on Wednesday in protest over rumors that the government will no longer fund the city’s prominent art center.
The planned protest comes four months after Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang proposed taking over the operation of BACC, which is currently run by a board of artists, and turning part of the building into a co-working space — ideas largely rejected by local artists and the public.
Today the hashtag #saveYOURbacc is trending on Thai social media after Thida Plitpholkarnpim, a film distributor and one of the artists taking a stand against the government’s takeover of BACC, wrote on Facebook last night that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is allegedly pulling the plug.
“The news broke several months ago that the government attempted to take over the operation of BACC, and then it went quiet, but here comes the latest news,” Thida wrote in the post.
“No funding from BMA for 2 years. BACC is now in a crisis, but the management won’t close the art center. They will tighten their belts, decrease exhibitions and activities, and shorten hours,” Thida wrote.
Her comment echoed an update from the #FreeYourBACC campaign on Change.org, which was founded by the board of BACC operators as a protest against the government.
While Governor Aswin has not yet confirmed whether the funding cut is actually happening, the artists aren’t waiting and have planned to don black and speak out at a press conference about their stance on Wednesday at 1pm at BACC.
They are also encouraging citizens and art enthusiasts to attend in support.
Numerous netizens have voiced their support for BACC and took to social media to explain why its so important to them.
“I would be heartbroken if BACC closed down. I had so many good memories there. Walking and looking at art is one of my favorite past times,” said one Twitter user.
A content producer, who wished to remain anonymous, told Coconuts that the alleged budget cut shows that the government doesn’t see art and creativity as a priority in the country’s development.
“Maybe we need the place as a symbol, to show that the government cares and supports creativity beyond just basic needs,” she said.
Not only is the center free for the public to attend, it is a place for those in the creative industry to network with each other.
“I applied for many workshops and came to many events here. I learned a lot and met a lot of people who are now my friends and community,” she added.
“It would be a shame if BACC was turned into another shopping mall.”
Related:
Thai artists campaign against government takeover of art center with poetry
Bangkok governor backs down, decides art world just too cruel
