“Who are Artists? Why Them? Why Now?”

The press conference Who are Artists? Why Them? Why Now?, a part of CICADA’s Advocacy Campaign to mobilize support for artists and cultural professionals, was successfully held on December 13, 2024 with approximately 60 distinguished guests, including Cultural and Creative Professionals from various fields, including culinary arts, classical and contemporary dance, music, film, literature, and many more, as well as representatives of civil society, associations, embassies, government personnel and potential donor institutions.

This press conference went with a positive impression by the around participants. With a title ‘Who are Artists? Why Them? Why Now?’ the press conference has a curated agenda to deliver key messages: recognise, support, and value artists and cultural professionals.

In the conference, we officially launched the Policy Paper titled “Behind the Curtains: Vulnerabilities and Untapped Potential of Cultural and Creative Industry Workers in Cambodia.” The launch included a detailed presentation aimed at raising awareness about the significant challenges faced by artists and cultural professionals in the country. The presentation highlighted key findings and issues outlined in the paper, emphasizing the urgent need for greater support and recognition. It served as a powerful call to action, encouraging stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to join efforts in addressing these challenges and unlocking the full potential of the Cultural and Creative Industries in Cambodia.

CICADA also distributed the “Know Your Rights” pamphlet which was designed for all professionals in the arts, cultural and creative industries to explore information of their rights and benefits they are entitled to as workers in this sector. In the pamphlet, they can access information regarding the rights to social protection (NSSF), intellectual property rights, the important of service agreement or contract, and freedom of artistic creation.

The Panel Discussion was an important session of the press conference, designed to explore and discuss insights on questions such as: Who are artists or cultural professionals? In what sectors and sub-sectors do they work? What contribution do they, similar to workers in other sectors, make to society and the economy? And why is it important to care about them? From the discussion, we hope the conversation may bring some insights, scopes, value and challenges in the CCI sectors.

We were honored to have three panelists and a moderator from diverse fields of expertise within the same sector, offering detailed perspectives on the topic. Our esteemed panelists included Neang SouSou, an Ayai singer; Kai BRENNERT, founder of edgeandstory; HENG Sokgech, National Project Coordinator from the International Labour Organization; and our moderator, Mr. KEO Doung, a Lecturer at the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

To amplify voices even further, we featured a contemporary dance performance by SilverBelle Dance titled “Who Am I?” This moving piece shed light on the struggles and challenges faced by artists and cultural professionals. The performance was nothing short of a masterpiece, captivating the audience with its emotion and powerful storytelling. One of the dancers, Belle, told RFI Khmer that

One of the dancers, Belle, told RFI Khmer that ‘The performance was based on real narrative of mine and my observations on other artists. It is about the lack of respect and sexual harassment. For women artists, public view us as flirty and receive various derogatory comments which make us feel insecure and humiliated. It causes women to leave the arts sector for good. Their family might have asked them to stop. It is a loss of human resources in the sector.’

The performance brought many to tears as it reminds them of the obstacles they have faced and the resilience they hold while working in the sector. The heartfelt dance not only resonated deeply but also created a shared sense of solidarity and understanding among everyone in the hall. One of the Goodwill ambassadors, Tomrong Pich. Her reflection highlights how well the key messages of the press conference leave an impression on everyone in the room. She reflected that:

‘It’s a painfully beautiful piece of art. It narrates the untold story behind every artist. It help me come to an understanding of how long we have neglected them and why we should change. The story has evoked my soul and I believe it did the same to the rest of the hall. It’s not just their responsibility but it’s ours. They are thriving just because they see something that is bigger than themselves and why not we? We should amplify their voice so that they can continue their advocacy for the art which is the soul and a crucial part of our identity as a country rich in culture, and as the citizen of the kingdom of Cambodia.’ 

Pheak KEO, Leader of Medha Women Drummers and a member of CICADA expressed at a brink of tear that ‘I feel that I am a slave. We have been contributing both physical and mentality to the arts but personally we have been suffered from criticism and verbal harassments such as ‘you should not work as artists but should cooks for parents’. Some say ‘You don’t have a brain of an artist. Stop it’. As a woman professional who has a huge dream in the arts, I think it is rights for us to stand up and express our opinion. It is very important for relevant ministries to really commit to prevent violence in the arts and for artists.’

Following the press conference, CICADA continues this mission by working with relevant institutions and ministries to ensure full and positive responses through policies and future collaborations that uphold the rights and protection of Cultural and Creative Industry workers in Cambodia.

In the Press Conference, there were several Press Media participate to capture news for article and videos as attach in the links here for you to explore more insights into the event including Kiripost, Apsara TV, BTV News, CNC News, RFI Khmer, PNN News, TVK, and AMS Education.

Watch our Press Conference Recap Video of the event on CICADA Facebook Page.
Watch our Advocacy Campaign Video on CICADA Facebook Page.