Arts and Culture

The purpose of this Consultation Workshop is to gauge views of Papua New Guinean’s towards developing a cultural policy, which the Government is confident will be inclusive.

The development of this National Cultural Policy is a milestone for the country and the cultural sector, making it a necessary and timely document because in the last 4 decades since PNG’s independence, policy directions were inconsistent towards cultural development in the country.

Minister Emil Tammur, accompanied by the Acting Executive Director of National Cultural Commission John Uani, acting director of the National Museum and Arts Gallery Alois Kuaso and officials from the Ministry arrived on Monday.

Tammur will be chairing the meeting today (June 28) at the Heritage Hotel where enhancement of Melanesian arts, culture, education and music and other related issues will be discussed.

Other ministers from the Melanesian Island states, including Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands will be in attendance as well.

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Emil Tammur, made the call when presenting K50,000 to the Sepik River Crocodile Festival.

Tammur said cultural festivals are getting hard to deliver every year because of the increasing cost of hosting such events, and the private sector would do well to support the Government to promote and maintain our unique cultural heritage, especially in these tough economic times. 

He said many of the cultural festivals around the country are struggling to source funding and any support from the private sector would be greatly appreciated.

Currently, the tourism industry in PNG contributes less than 2% to PNG’s GDP and is way below the regional average of 20%.

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Tobias Kulang said this during the launch of the Tourism Policing Concept that the underperformance of this important industry is due to many factors and one of the leading factors is law and order.

“PNG is ranked as one of the dangerous places on earth and there is a lingering stigma in the minds if the international community.”

Dr Moutu took up the position as the director for PNG NMAG in 2010.

The Office of Tourism, Arts and Culture (OTAC) is now going through the process of advertising an appointment for the position.

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Tobias Kulang has directed the Board of Trustees NMAG to submit a list of three candidates to be considered by the National Executive Council for an acting appointment.

Kulang said an acting appointee will be announced in the next few days.