# National Department for Culture and Arts

National Department for Culture and Arts (Malay: Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, JKKN) is one of the agencies under Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia and it is responsible in implementing cultural and arts activities in Malaysia.

## History

1953 Formation of Cultural Division under the Ministry of Social Welfare
1964 Cultural Division placed under the Ministry of Information
1972 Cultural Division at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
1987 Cultural Division at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture
1992 Cultural Division at the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism
2004 Cultural Division at the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage (KEKKWA)
22 Mar 2005 Upgraded to JKKN (Warrant Number S20 Year 2005)
1 Feb 2007 Creation of a new division which is planning, research and development division (Warrant Number S40 Year 2007)
18 Mac 2008 JKKN as one of the agencies under the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage (KPKKW)
April 2009 JKKN under the patronage of the Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture (KPKK).
16 May 2013,Since then, JKKN becomes an agency under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
On 2 July 2018, this Ministry was renamed as the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia as announced by YAB Prime Minister during the Cabinet Formation after the 14th General Election.

## Vision

Cultural Art lead body in supporting Arts for Arts, Arts for Unity, and Cultural Arts in Revenue Generation for industry players towards the formation of national identity and prosperity.

## Mission

1) Strengthening efforts to preserve, maintain, expand and popularize the National cultural arts heritage;
2) Potentiating cultural arts elements to enhance the National Identity, prosperity and unity;
3) Encouraging innovative cultural arts to increase industry player's income;
4) Contributing to the growth of cultural tourism activities.

## Top Management

Director General : YBrs Tuan Haji Mesran Bin Mohd Yusop
Vice Director General (Plan & Policy) : YBrs Encik Salehhuddin b. Md Salleh
Vice Director General (Art& Culture) : YBrs Encik Mohd Amran bin Mohd Haris

## Divisions

Administrative Division
Finance Division
Services and Training Division
Corporate Communication Division
Arts Development Division
Culture Development Division
Cultural Arts Guidance Division
Cultural Arts Enhancement Division
Documentation and Publication Division
Planning and Coordination Division
Production and Artistic Development Division
Research and Development Division
Cultural Arts Product Development Division

## State Offices

There are 14 state JKKN offices, which implement arts and cultural activities on state level. They are:-
National Department For Culture And Arts, Perlis
National Department For Culture And Arts, Kedah
National Department For Culture And Arts, Penang
National Department For Culture And Arts, Perak
National Department For Culture And Arts, Selangor
National Department For Culture And Arts, Kuala Lumpur
National Department For Culture And Arts, Negeri Sembilan
National Department For Culture And Arts, Malacca
National Department For Culture And Arts, Johor
National Department For Culture And Arts, Pahang
National Department For Culture And Arts, Terengganu
National Department For Culture And Arts, Kelantan
National Department For Culture And Arts, Sarawak
National Department For Culture And Arts, Sabah

## Efforts

In February 2013, the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) and National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (Aswara) have been instructed to set up a school of etiquette to imbue noble values and build good character in members of society.
Also on February, JKKN's Director General, Dato' Norliza Rofli announced grants under the National Creative Industry Policy worth RM 4 million are up for grabs for the development of the arts scene.
On May 11, 2013, during Karnival Seni Kreatif Kita, Norliza announced that in 2008, the creative industry contributed to 1.27 per cent of the gross national income, which was equivalent to RM 9.4 billion, and the carnival was one of the Entry Point Projects in the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) under the National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) for Communications Content and Infrastructure.

## Branch of JKKN Offices

* Kuala Lumpur State office, Kompleks JKKNWPKL
* JKKN Branch Offices in Sabah