Indonesian Arts And Culture Scholarships, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia

2015 INDONESIAN ARTS AND CULTURE SCHOLARSHIP
Regular Programme
(2 March – 15 June 2015)

A. BACKGROUND

The Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship (IACS) has been conducted since 2003 and was initially offered to and participated by member countries of the South West Pacific Dialogue (SwPD); Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and the host Indonesia.

Bearing in mind the significance and advantages obtained from the program, the scholarship was expanded over the years to include member countries of ASEAN, ASEAN+3, PIF countries, as well as many countries from all regions in the world. In the period of 2003 to 2014, the scholarship has been awarded to 588 alumni from 58 countries.

Due to the limited space and the vast amount of interest in the program, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in cooperation with Indonesian Embassies and Consulates overseas, hold a series of selection process. Taken into considerations are, among others, the awardees’ background, gender, regional representation and the interest to learn Indonesian culture.

In order to deepen the awardees’ understanding of Indonesian arts and culture, and to enhance their skills for the final performance, awardees will be divided and assigned by the organising committee to different arts centers for the duration of approximately 3 (three) months. The arts centers are located in Bandung, West Java; Denpasar, Bali; Makassar, South Sulawesi; Solo, Central Java; Surabaya, East Java.

Awardees will live within or around the arts center, allowing for the chance to experience the local heritage and interact with the local community. Synergy between theory and practices shared inside and outside the art center would undoubtedly become the driving force for shaping international cultures and norms, and will eventually strengthen regional as well as global understanding and cooperation at a people-to-people level.

B. OBJECTIVE

The program serves to demonstrate Indonesia’s commitment as an initiator of the establishment of South West Pacific Dialogue and as the originator member of ASEAN in advancing the social culture cooperation in the region. The program also has an objective to encourage better understanding amongst participants from member countries through Indonesia’s immensely diverse art and cultural heritage. Finally, the programme aims to cultivate a cultural of cooperation, emerging from direct contact and sharing of cultures amongst people involved in the program, leading to thriving diplomatic relations in the region and worldwide

C. PARTICIPANTS

Awardees of the 2015 IACS will be targeted from many countries: member countries of ASEAN, ASEAN + 3, East Asia Summit, ASEAN Dialog Partners, ASEAN + European Union, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, Asia-Europe Meeting, and members of South West pacific Dialog as the original participants of Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship.

D. TIME

The non-degree arts and culture scholarship is offered for three months period of time, starting on 2 March to 15 June 2015.

E. LOCATION

After 1 (one) week of orientation/introduction of the program in Jakarta, awardees are given the art center designated for them by the organizing committee on the basis of their motivation, interests, gender, regional dispersion etc. Decision of the designated arts center is subject to the discretion of the organizing committee.

F. LIST OF COURSES

Basically, all awardees will learn about Indonesian arts and culture in general while their staying in the art centers. However, some of the the courses will be different in each art center depending on the local arts and culture. For example, in Bandung, West Java, the awardees will learn Sundanese art and culture namely the production, maintenance and appreciation to angklung; karawitan, wayang golek, and traditional dance of Sunda. They will also learn Sundanese and Indonesian Language as a component of the culture. In Solo and Surabaya, the awardees will learn Javanese art and culture such as the process of batik and its significance; karawitan; traditional Javanese dance; and Javanese language. In Bali, the awardees will learn Balinese art and culture, namely Balinese dance and gamelan. In Surabaya, they will learn East Javanese arts and cultures including Madurese Gamelan. Meanwhile, in Makassar, the awardees will learn the Sulawesi arts and culture, including Pakarena dance and music as well as the local language.

Each art centre will also arrange special visit to several historical places as well as renowned tourist destinations for awardees.

Prior to their residency at art centres, awardees should participate in one week orientation in Jakarta and will learn issues such as the Aim and Objectives of the Scholarship; Introduction to Indonesian Culture; Indonesian contemporary arts and cultures, Information about the activities and curriculum offered by the art centers.

All awardees will perform in an arts and cultural night titled “Indonesia Channel” to remark the closing of the scholarship program. The “Indonesia Channel” is scheduled to be held on 11 June 2015. Awardees will return back to their respective countries on the following days.

G. SCHOLARSHIP COVERAGE

The scholarship will cover:

• Tuition fee (including extra-curricular activities);
• A round trip economy class ticket;
• Accommodation (board and lodging);
• Health insurance (limited). All awardees are advised to have their own health insurance.
• Monthly allowance of Rp. 1.500.000,-.

H. APPLICATION SUBMISSION

For Indonesian applicants, the application form could be sent to:

THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Directorate of Public Diplomacy
Tower Building, 12^th Floor
Jl. Taman Pejambon No. 6
Jakarta 10110

For international applicants, the application form must be sent to: The Embassy / Consulate General of Indonesia in respective countries

Information regarding Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship and its application form can be accessed and downloaded at the IACS icon in the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website (www.kemlu.go.id) or just click the link: DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM

Important:

All applications should be received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia / Embassies / Consulates on 31 October 2014, at the latest.

I. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Candidates should preferably be a single, between the ages of 21 to 30 years-old with at least a high school diploma;
2. Candidates should possess high interest and talent in arts. Arts students or those with an academic history on Indonesian culture are encouraged to apply;
3. Bearing in mind the intensity of the program, candidates are highly advised to ensure prime physical conditions, particularly for female candidates to ensure that they do not conceive prior and during the program;
4. Candidates must complete the application form (attached) and submit it along with the followings:
   1. 3 (three) passport-sized photographs;
   2. A photo-copy of passport with validity period at least two years;
   3. A photo-copy of academic diploma;
   4. A photo-copy of the latest valid health certification from a qualified medical practitioner. On the day of leaving the origin country, participants should equipped themselves with a valid health certification from a qualified medical practitioner;
   5. A motivation letter;
   6. A letter of recommendation;
   7. A personal statement declaring the following:
      1. the willingness to be subject to Indonesian laws and regulations during his/her stay in Indonesia;
      2. the willingness to follow all the rules and regulations set up by the organizing committee and art centers;
      3. the willingness to accept the facilities provided by the organizing committee and arts centers and stay at the designated accommodations;
      4. not to work or be employed for financial benefits during the program;
      5. the willingness to follow the travel arrangements arranged by the organizing committee to and from Indonesia;
      6. the willingness to participate in all the program arranged by the organising committee and art centers, unless, during the program, declared unfit by a qualified medical practitioner;
      7. the willingness to leave Indonesia immediately after the closing ceremony, at a date determined by the organizing committee.
      8. should the participants withdraw their participation during the course of the program, they will get financial penalty and should finance their own travel expenses.
5. The programme will include Indonesian language lessons.A minimum skill in Bahasa Indonesia or English will be an advantage for candidates, but is not a main criterion for the programme.

J. CONTACT DETAILS

For further information, please send email to: iacs@kemlu.go.id