The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) Foundation is about to raise its profile as vice chairperson Panya Vijinthanasarn and committee secretary Chatvichai Promadhattavedi seek a meeting with the city’s unimpressed governor, Aswin Kwanmuang, about funding support and sustainable management.
Whether the meeting is arranged or not, the foundation is organising a press conference to unveil an action plan later this month.
The move follows the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA’s) decision last month to establish a committee to study the way the controversial culture centre is managed. Eleven members are to be selected for the committee within 90 days.
BMA failure to contribute to BACC funding this year has left it struggling financially, but it still has plenty of supporters, including the Thai affiliate of multinational conglomerate B Grimm.
The fund-raising exhibition “In the Kingdom: 140th Anniversary of B Grimm” opening today (June 10) demonstrates how the private sector can help keep the arts alive. Continuing through June 20, the show also commemorates the BACC’s 10th anniversary.
Part of the exhibition focuses on the history of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Germany through postal artefacts – letters, postcards and stationery from the company’s collection. A second part constitutes contemporary art illustrations of B Grimm’s corporate philosophy – commissioned pieces by 12 leading Thai artists, plus three works on loan for the show.
“We want to raise funds for the BACC because it’s facing a financial crisis,” curator Somsuda Piamsumrit told The Nation.
“B Grimm spent more that Bt4 million in mounting this exhibition. Over Bt3 million of that went to the commissioned artists, whose works will be sold, and the rest covers the rent.”
Somsuda urged collectors and other art lovers to view the show and make a purchase to support the centre.
BACC director Pawit Mahasarinand said he appreciated the “truly special” project.
“The content of the exhibition is also educational and inspirational for the general public,” he said. “If all of the artworks are sold, I’m hoping we’ll get a few million baht, which will greatly help us continue our activities here.”
Read the full article by Phatarawadee Phataranawik on The Nation.
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