Sovanna Phum offers artists opportunities to make money through their arts performances

By Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

Sovanna Phum Art Association, which is an independent and self–financed Khmer association and aimed to revive, preserve and promote the treasures of Khmer culture to local and international audiences, has been offering opportunities for Cambodian artists to make living through their art skills.

Mann Kosal, Director of Sovanna Phum Art Association, said that since the establishment of the Sovanna Phum in 1994, the association has offered a lot of opportunities for professional artists through their arts by organizing performances as well as nurturing, preserving and promoting the treasures of Cambodian culture through the various projects in Phnom Penh and other provinces.

Kosal, 48, who is a former artistic student of Bassac Theater at Phnom Penh’s Royal University of Fine Arts in 1984, said that, “In 1994 when I firstly organized the classical dance and music performances at Sovanna Phum Art Association, there were only few Cambodian artists performing the Khmer traditional arts for local and international audiences, but now we have about 200 artists perform.”

“Before, some artists were very poor, they rode the bicycle to perform arts at Sovanna Phum,” he said. “But after working with Sovanna Phum for several months or a year, they are able to buy secondhand motorbikes while other could buy new car.”

He said, “Now, they have good motorbike and they are happy to perform the arts in my association.”

Hnag Phorn, 40, a professional music performer of Sovanna Phum Art Association, said that he has been performing the arts at Sovanna Phum for more than ten years.

He said, “Before I was a driver and my living-condition is so poor. However, since I have worked with Sovanna Phum I noted that my family’s condition is better now.”

Kosal said at his association had many kinds of Khmer traditional arts performing such as Sokacha, Ponhakay, Preah Kho Botr, Ruossey Dek, Wild animals, Crocodiles, Hanuman and Giant Drum, Sophanakha, Dragon Arrow and Classical and Folk Dance. And he said at least 400 local and international audiences visiting the Sovanna Phum’s Khmer cultural performances every weekend.

He said that the traditional performances were played every Friday and Saturday at Sovanna Phum Art Association, from 7:30 pm. And the ticket fee is UD $5 for per foreign tourist.

He said that the artists’ fee was at least US $5 per person a day and this payment would be increasing US$ 10 if there are more international visitors.

Tith Saem, 46, Mask dance performer, said that he has joined Sovanna Phum in 2004.

He also said that he could make money from his arts performance US $5 per day for Phnom Penh’s performance and US $20 per day for provincial performances.

He said, “I am happy that I can earn more extra moneys from my arts performances in Sovanna Phum to support my family. I will continue this occupation for ever.”

Kosal said that nowadays, Sovanna Phum had a dynamic network of 190 energetic professional artists. Most of them were students and graduated from the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh.

He said that in 2007, with the financial supports from UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), Sovanna Phum has performed 300 stories educating on bird flu in 10 provinces in Cambodia. With these performances, an artist was paid US $20 per day.

He added that according to the association’s report, at least 7,000 foreign audiences attended Sovanna Phum’s classical music and dance every year.

He said that Sovanna Phum Art Association’s artists can be also hired for private or commercial events in Cambodia.