Creative hubs: ARE THEY START SO GREAT BUT END SO FAST?
The creative hub is very different from other types of business because it creates spiritual values, social benefit and is so meaningful to the community.
SECTION 1: The explosion of the creative hub
The cultural creative hub has appeared for a long time in the world, but in Vietnam, it is still quite new. In the art field, more and more creative hubs have appeared. They are especially in big cities such as Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. They could be a cafe, gallery, library, studio, experimental music center, or could be a multi-functional complex. At creative hubs, people have regularly held events to promote artistic creation. In the past 5 years, hundreds of creative hubs have sprung up. They have been contributing to opening a new way of approaching culture and art practice.
The rapidity of economic growth and urbanization, the explosion of social media, and the extensive integration era have brought innovation to the creativity industry and creative hubs. They not only contribute to economic and social development but also bridge the gap between the artist and the audience. They bring art closer to the public.
Awake potential…
VICAS Art Studio –the Center for Contemporary Art Development and Support under the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies, was established in 2017. It often organizes art exhibitions, connects artists to markets and audiences. With an area of about 200 square meters, the showroom creates an open and friendly space.
Both professional and amateur artists can open exhibitions for free here. Besides, VICAS Arts studio also has a seminar on art and experimental music performance that attracts a large number of people. It is worth mentioning that VICAS belongs to a State agency of the State but it has no budget and isn’t placed in full commission. However, this hub still develops actively.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Head of Management Board of VICAS Arts studio explained, the center’s orientation is in line with the needs of many artists and the community, so it receives a lot of support from them. Many artists even send or donate paintings to help the center raise funds. “Compared to other creative hubs specializing in art, Our center has more fundraising paintings. Also, we had some Tet exhibitions gathering more than 60-70 artists to participate and one-third of paintings were sold to collectors. After the exhibitions, the artists donate a portion of the money to raise funds. Thanks to that support we have money to support other activities ”- Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha shared.
VICAS Arts studio is a bright example of a creative hub that bridges the gap between artists and the public, connects the creativity and the market demand in the current context.
Apart from VICAS, the Dom Dom Art Club in Hanoi is seen as a connector which helps experimental music artists have regular space for practice and performance. Besides, we also have Doclab. It was at the time Doclab was established that the filmmakers had a chance to work together.
In Ho Chi Minh City, there is The Factory – Contemporary Art Center, which regularly organizes large-scale and professional events to connect Vietnam’s contemporary art with the world. These such hubs are enriching the creative environment with art forms, experimental music, installation art, and building the new audience at the same time.
According to the British Council’s report, the number of creative hubs has grown to 200 across Vietnam—up from 40 in 2014. These hubs are mainly located in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang. They attracted more than 100,000 participants.
According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Phuong, manager of The Center For Assistance and Development Of Movie Talents TPD – Vietnam Cinema Association, Vietnam owns the huge potential for developing creative hubs. “Creativity industries are increasingly developing and contributing to the GDP of the countries; at the same time building a community of art lovers. It will be good news If we can make a creative hubs network to change policies and audience networks”.
Composing space at Vicas Art Studio (Source: Vicas Art Studio)
The unfortunate disappearances…
While many creative hubs are increasing, some others have disappeared.
Zone 9 used to be a favorite destination for artists and youngsters in Hanoi. It used to be a ruined wasteland but thanks to the creation of talented artists to breathe into Zone 9 of spirit; It became a unique cultural and artistic center for youngsters in Hanoi. However, Zone 9 had to close after such a short time.
Like Zone nine, 3A Station in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City is where artists meet and introduce their works to the public but it also has to close in the nostalgia of many people after 3 years of operation. Most recently, Go Fish in Quang Nam, Nha san Colective in Hanoi, or many others also stopped working or could only temporize.
In fact, most creative hubs have difficulty in finding the location. The leasing fee will be a burden to the founders if they want a leasing office in a big city or at a good location. Meanwhile, the income from the artistic activities of creative hubs is always unstable.
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“Now, creative hubs in Vietnam have not been treated properly for their role and their meaning. They are treated as normal entertainment and business, which leads to the situation that many creative hubs have sprung up, while some others are lost. Therefore, we need to build a clear legal status for creative hubs and have support policies for them”, said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son, Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies. |
The creative space specializing in contemporary dance, Kinergie Studio (Hanoi) managed by Mrs. Bui Thi Thu Hien also faces the same difficulty. “Established in 2015, Kinergie Studio is a self-operated center. We faced many difficulties. It was thanks to the income from the dancing classes that we could operate the center. However, contemporary dance and ballet are still strange with a lot of people so few people know about these activities to join”, said Ms. Bui Thi Thu Hien.
In fact, creative hubs are spontaneously formed and developed. They all are founded by individuals or groups of artists who wish to create artistic spaces for them to unleash their creativity and share the artworks with the public and help people gain interesting experiences through artworks. However, not all talented artists are good at managing. Lack of managerial skills is one of the reasons that many creative hubs are short-lived ./.
By Ngọc Hà & Group VHNT