HÀ NỘI — Five art spaces and initiatives in Việt Nam will receive support from the Embassy of Denmark for their creative and innovative approaches to engaging art lovers and the general public.

The recipients are Manzi Art Space and Heritage Space in Hà Nội; Then cafe in central city of Huế; ChaosdowntownCháo in HCM City and DNY productions in central city of Đà Nẵng.

"It is very fulfilling that Denmark has been able to support independent art spaces and art initiatives, celebrating their progressive creative work within the Vietnamese contemporary culture scene," said Danish ambassador Charlotte Laursen.

"Culture and art are important parts of modern societies, means to stimulate and inspire people to become creative and innovative. That our support this year goes to four different cities illustrates the diversity of contemporary art within Việt Nam.”

The programme’s total budget is over US$354,000 (VNĐ800 million).With the support, many exhibitions, workshops, publications, performances, and art talks will be held in the next two years. Supporting contemporary art a component of Danish culture programme in Việt Nam, which was started in 2006.

The programme has supported hundreds of successful projects and artists.

Manzi Art Space’s art programme for 2017-18 includes various activities of different genres and elements. The programme will present seminars, workshops, exhibitions, festivals and research to engage artists and the local and international communities. Manzi Art Space will receive VNĐ250 million.

Heritage Space’s Months of Arts Practice 2017 aims to create a platform for direct exchange between local and international artists. Their programme will combine study trips, meetings, exhibitions and educational workshops. Heritage Space will receive VNĐ220 million.

Then Cafe’s programme, entitled Dash, will support smaller projects of local artists and promote engagement of people in socio-economic debates. The projects include workshops, exhibitions, research works and publications. It will receive VNĐ33 million.

DNY productions has an initiative entitled Autumn Meeting 2017, which is an annual film event that will take place in Đà Nẵng. It aims to encourage young talented Vietnamese and Asian filmmakers to improve their professional skills. There will be filmmaking workshops, introduction of new independent films, awards to young talent film makers. It will receive VNĐ200 million.

ChaosdowntownCháo, located at a backpacker’s hotel in the city, aims to serve as a bridge between local art movements and international audiences. Through a number of workshops and exhibitions under a project named Loopholes, the art space focuses on contemporary themes like queer theory and feminism. The art space will receive VNĐ100 million.

The Embassy of Denmark in Việt Nam has a comprehensive culture programme with total budget more than US$3million. The programme focuses on promoting culture and art in Việtt Nam and culture exchange between Việt Nam and Denmark. Since 2006, hundreds of contemporary art projects and artist have been supported through the programme. — VNS