The state of Sarawak is taking an unprecedented step in the promotion and development of art when it was announced that there are opportunities for students in universities who are studying the fine arts to become entrepreneurs after they graduate in the SMIs (Small and Medium Industries). The area of fine art and design have often been seen as a sector with limited business opportunities and with provisions like these, it would surely propel more art practitioners to bring their products and services to the general public.
According to Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office, there are a lot of resources and opportunities for the students to expand their horizon if they are to venture in the business of art. This include the likes of loans from Bank SME or Tekun, all of which are focused on this business sector.
He said this during the launch of the ‘Reqaseni’ art exhibition by the Department of Fine Art and Graphic Design at UiTM (Universiti Teknologi Mara)’s Muzium Seni where he added that those who are looking to apply for the loans must be committed and serious and would have to start their respective businesses first. He also cited that 2 students from Unimas (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak) had previously succeeded in applying for the loans to start their hair salon business in Satok, Sarawak and that would be something that graduates could emulate in the future and thereby creating a more vibrant and dynamic art scene within the country and beyond.