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Art plays a vital role in human life, allowing for self-expression, storytelling, and cultural celebration. In Cagayan de Oro (CDO), a city in the Southern Philippines, art serves as a catalyst for human connections boasting rich artistic landscape, with local artists showcasing indigenous knowledge and narratives through music, dance, painting, crafts, literature, and film. The city is brimming with creative energy. However, access to art is often limited to museums, making it out of reach for many people hindering art appreciation. Additionally, efforts to connect local artists frequently lack promotion and creative space resulting in independent art initiatives going unnoticed.
Recognizing the need, Ayala Malls Centrio collaborated with the local artists to provide support to the community. The result: Art Tents - an art fair that transformed the mall activity area into a haven for creative work display and immersions.
Transforming the mall's activity area into a creative camping-inspired space, one can see conical tent booths set up for local art exhibitors to showcase and sell various artworks, including paintings, jewelry, calligraphy, and handwoven goods. Visual art displays and installations adorn the surroundings. The site features wooden pallets arranged as an art workshop, where artists provide tutorials and crafting activities. Art demos, trivia games, and a stage showcasing inspiring performance art and film also draw curious people in. As a way to impart art education, creative experts conducted lectures on building art portfolios, creativity for entrepreneurs, and exploring artistic journey. The culmination of the Art Tents was co-organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) where local cultural organizations showcased song and dance performances promoting Filipino culture and celebrating creativity and ingenuity.
Art Tents has received positive responses from the community and has become a highly anticipated art event celebrating the National Arts Month in CDO. The campaign reached its 5-year milestone last February 17-26, 2023. It started with 20 exhibitors in 2019 and grew in its 5th year, attracting nearly double the number of exhibitors and over 58,000 attendees. It has made art inclusive to people from diverse backgrounds, shining a spotlight on the creative community.
It has also enticed more creatives to become active in contributing to art endeavors and celebrations in the city. This is evident in the growing confidence of artist participation—from 20 art exhibitors in 2020, to 37 this 2023. Art Tents attracts a substantial increase in mall foot traffic, with 58,000 attendees during the 10-day event in 2023. The event generated P2.0M total sales which was a massive help to the local artists’ livelihood. The event's popularity extended to nearby provinces, enticing locals and art enthusiasts to visit Centrio.
Art Tents exemplifies the lasting impact of art on people's lives. In its early stages, the campaign partnered with the Ayala Foundation to provide aid to a tent community in Kidapawan, a nearby city affected by a 6.0 magnitude earthquake. A portion of the event's sales that year was donated to assist in rebuilding lives, showcasing the transformative power of art.
Celebrating creativity, Art Tents by Centrio is a campaign about purpose-driven art and its power to create a community of social impact.
Nomination Title: Filipino Art thrives in Art Tents, a creative space in Ayala Malls Centrio
