KUCHING: The Jabatan Kesenian dan Kebudayaan Negeri (JKKN) Sarawak will once again shine the spotlight on Sarawak’s artistic brilliance through the Anugerah Seni Sarawak (ASS) 2025, set to take place on October 22 at the Dewan Santapan, Sarawak legislative Assembly (DUN).

According to JKKN Sarawak Director Noor Seela Noor Sulaiman, the biennial event aims to honour individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to the state’s cultural and creative landscape.

“The Anugerah Seni Sarawak is a recognition programme by JKKN in collaboration with the state government, to appreciate artists, performers, and cultural advocates who have significantly contributed to the preservation and development of arts and culture,” she said during the Juh Randau Ke-40 session at JKKN Sarawak, Bangunan Sultan Iskandar.

She added that Sarawak has been organising the awards since 2013, and this year marks the second consecutive collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Sarawak, reflecting a strong partnership in nurturing the state’s creative ecosystem.

The awards feature eight categories, including the prestigious Anugerah Tokoh Seni Sarawak 2025, alongside recognitions for NGOs, media, government agencies, and corporations that have championed cultural initiatives.

Other categories include Opera Kenyalang (Theatre), Seri Ritma Kenyalang (Music), and Kesuma Kenyalang (Dance), which celebrate Sarawak’s vibrant artistic diversity. A posthumous recognition, the Mila Kandi Award, will also honour late cultural figures whose legacies continue to inspire.

“This year’s event represents the highest appreciation for Sarawak’s creative practitioners, those who have elevated the state’s identity through consistent, meaningful artistic work,” she said.

Despite financial constraints, Noor Seela expressed pride in her team’s determination to uphold the programme’s prestige and inclusivity.

She said the selection process was rigorous and transparent, with a professional panel of evaluators carefully vetting nominations to ensure fairness and merit-based outcomes.

“It is not an easy task to organise a large-scale, prestigious event with limited resources. But our commitment is to ensure that every deserving artist receives due recognition,” she added, thanking MTCP Sarawak for their continuous support.

Beyond celebrating established figures, Noor Seela said the Anugerah Seni Sarawak also serves as a platform to inspire young artists and strengthen the creative economy.

She emphasised the importance of innovation and continuity in keeping Sarawak’s cultural heritage relevant in a modern context.

“This recognition encourages our youth to keep creating. We hope to see the awards evolve into an annual event that covers wider artistic fields such as visual arts and handicrafts,” she said.

Citing the traditional sape as an example, she added that Sarawak’s cultural identity holds immense economic potential if creatively transformed and commercialised.

“We can imagine a day when sape music is played in hotel lobbies around the world, just like classical instruments from Japan or the West. That’s the kind of global reach we envision for Sarawak’s arts,” she shared.

In closing, Noor Seela encouraged all cultural practitioners across Sarawak to persevere in preserving and innovating the state’s artistic traditions.

“Don’t stop creating. Continue to uphold and celebrate our heritage. With the diversity and uniqueness of Sarawak’s culture, I believe our creative industry will thrive,” she said. -UKASnews