Bangkok Art And Cultural Center(BACC), the reflection of Thai government negligence on contemporary art.
Disclaimer: This blog has written before the Bangkok Metropolis Administration(BMA) renew the contact with BACC on March 25rd. The blog mainly focuses on writer’s point of view on the BMA’s action towards BACC.
A little background of BACC
When we are talking about the history of BACC, I think we should start from “the art center” project in 1994. At that time, thousands of artists joined forces to exhibit their work at Sirikit Convention Center in order to make society realize that we should have an art gallery to accommodate this vast number of artists. Also, use the art gallery as a place where it gathers artists and people who are interested in art. Luckily, the Bangkok governor at that time(Dr. Bhichit Rattakul) sees the importance of this project. He started the project with the hope that this art center will become the destination for artists and art lovers. However, everything fell apart when Samak Sunthorawet became Bangkok’s governor. He changed all the original project’s plan and turned it into a commercial building with a little space for exhibition. These actions upset many people, they came out and fought against those plans throughout Samak’s era. After a long contradiction between artists and Samak Sunthorawet. Bangkok finally changed its governor to Apirak Kosayodhin. The project was presented again and he agreed to design the art center with its original plan. Finally, BACC officially opened on 19th August 2006.
Nowadays, Bangkok Art and Cultural Center is one of the biggest art galleries in Bangkok. It is located near Pathumwan junction, opposite MBK Center, and a 5-minute walk from Siam Paragon. Many contemporary art, music, design, and cultural events take place in its exhibition spaces.
Why does BACC matter? (In my point of view)
I have to admit that a lot of Thai people (especially Bangkokians) became more interested in art. However, most of the art is only accessible by middle-class people and above which are only a small amount of the population of this country. It is very hard for low-income people to access art since some exhibitions’ entrance fees from private companies are exceeding the minimum wage per day in Thailand (300–350 THB/day). Not only the exhibitions’ entrance fees but many art museums in Bangkok usually collect 150–200 THB for an entrance fee which is half of their wages. If the government sees the importance of art, they would see that BACC can be a solution for this inequality since BACC is not collecting the entrance fee and its location is easy to access by many public transportations.
What’s happening to BACC right now?
I believe that people who usually associate with art might see the news that BACC is going to end its contract with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration(BMA). Personally, I feel a little bit shocked when I heard about this news because I got many good experiences from this place, and I believed that many of you also got these positive energies from this place too. Thus, no one wanted to see BACC shutting down or changing hands to those who do not truly understand “art.”
The Bangkok Art and Cultural foundation signed a contract with Bangkok Metropolis Administration for 10 years. The contract is going to end in August 2021. The foundation is trying to extend the contract with BMA for another 10 years. However, They are still waiting for a response from BMA. The foundation is also trying to negotiate with BMA about the support budget since there is no support from BMA for 4 years already.
Since BACC is not collecting the gate fee from visitors, they have to make money from other sources which I believe is not enough to cover all expenditure on spaces over 25,000 square meters.
**Originally, BACC was in charge of BMA. All land and buildings are owned by BMA. However, Bangkok And Cultural Foundation was built to manage the BACC.
What will happen? If the Bangkok Metropolis Administration doesn’t renew the contract.
In the past, BMA has been providing budget support and assistance for the BACC since 2008. If BMA decides not to renew the contract with the Foundation, there may be a change in the management team which might be private or other agencies that will come to replace the foundation. It makes everyone concerned about these new agencies since we don’t know whether those new agencies will improve the BACC or make it worse. This uncertainty change might make a lot of impacts on Thai’s art industry because BACC is an important art space where artists can express their creativity. Moreover, the location of BACC is in the middle of the city. Therefore, it is easy to travel there.
Although the chance to renew the contract is in uncertain condition, There is still no conclusion toward the future direction of BACC. However, with the calls from people and considering the past results of the Foundation. I believe that if BMA sees the importance of art, they will make the decision to satisfy the needs of people, and the art industry.
Since the change of Bangkok governor and the government’s management system, the budget that the Foundation received since 2011 somehow disappeared. Even Though BMA and the Thai government made an agreement with artists and the public sector that they will support this art space, but for the past 4 years, they only provided help on water and electric bills.
This may be the reason why the number and consistency in the exhibition of BACC have to be reduced according to the cost.
How can we help BACC?
I believe that many people want the BACC to be managed by people who truly understand art. Also, people want BACC to receive the support from the government as it should be since this place is not just a place to perform arts. But it is also a place where everyone can relax, practice their creativity, and interpretation skills.
Currently, Bangkok Art and Cultural Foundation is starting many fundraising projects in order to gain enough money to run BACC until the day that contract expires. The foundation collaborates with many organizations that value art. Also, organize many exhibitions and activities by themselves to make this art center survive until the very last day.
If you want to help BACC in the fundraising activities. It is a good chance for you now. BACC currently holds the activities called “ Art in Postcards.” It is a special set of postcards from 12 famous Thai artists, for example, Juli Baker and Summer, Nut Dao, and Rukkit.
For those who want to support this fundraising campaign, you can buy the postcard for 50 THB/ card, then pick up by yourself at BACC Shop at Bangkok Art and Cultural Center, 5th floor, or order online via BACC shop Facebook fan page (https://www.facebook.com/baccshop/). It is only available from February- August 2021.
However, If you want to support more activities and exhibitions at BACC, you can donate directly to the Bangkok Art and Cultural Foundation by transfer to account number: 088–0–022930, Krungthai Bank.
Let’s save our art space together :) !