Drafting the Cultural Advancement Law: Realizing Sustainable Cultural Governance

Project Summary and Impact

In 2016–2017, we were involved in the reformulation of the Cultural Bill, which had been deadlocked for 35 years since it was first proposed in 1982. Previously, discussions on this bill had often reached a deadlock due to the tendency to regulate the way people practice culture, which ultimately gave rise to resistance from various parties.

Through a new approach, we proposed a fundamental shift in the regulatory framework, from a focus on community culture to government-led governance of cultural policy. This shift enabled more productive and inclusive discussions, ultimately leading to the successful passage of the bill into Law No. 5 of 2017 concerning the Advancement of Culture.

This law has had a significant impact on establishing an integrated cultural management mechanism in Indonesia. Some of the main impacts include:

• The development of a more systematic cultural ecosystem through policy-based management, not direct intervention in community culture.
• Strengthening the institutional infrastructure of culture, including the formation of Regional Cultural Thoughts (PPKD) at various levels of government.
• Increasing community and cultural actors participation in designing cultural advancement strategies.
• Integration of culture in national development as a strategic element that supports national identity and the creative economy.
• The realization of sustainable funding for culture, through the Cultural Trust Fund, which is a new mechanism to support the development of arts, traditions and cultural heritage.

With this law, Indonesia now has a clearer framework for managing culture holistically, involving various stakeholders, and positioning culture as a pillar of sustainable development.

How Do We Do It?

The reformulation of the Cultural Advancement Bill was conducted through a multi-stakeholder approach involving various parties, from academics, cultural practitioners, the arts community, to policymakers. This process involved several main stages:

1. Identification and Evaluation of the Failure of Previous Bills
   We conducted an in-depth review of the draft bill, which has been stalled for decades. One of the key issues identified is the regulation’s purportedly governing cultural expression. This raises concerns about excessive state intervention in local creative spaces and cultural expression.
2. Formulation of Shifting Scope of Regulation
   Based on this evaluation, we propose a new approach: the bill should not regulate community cultural practices, but rather regulate cultural governance by the government. This shift will allow for more constructive discussions and produce a policy draft that is acceptable to all parties.
3. Public Consultation and Multi-Stakeholder Discussion
   We held a series of discussions and public consultations with cultural stakeholders in various regions. This process aimed to accommodate diverse perspectives and ensure that this law truly addresses the needs of the national cultural ecosystem.
4. Drafting and Advocacy in the DPR
   After compiling input from various parties, we drafted the final bill and conducted intensive advocacy in parliament. One of the main challenges was convincing the legislature that this new approach was more appropriate in ensuring cultural sustainability without stifling creativity and freedom of expression.
5. Ratification of the Cultural Development Law
   With widespread support from various communities and related sectors, the bill was finally passed into law on May 24, 2017, as Law No. 5 of 2017 concerning the Advancement of Culture. This law marks a significant milestone in the history of cultural policy in Indonesia.

Why Do You Need Us?

We are a strategic partner in translating cultural policies into concrete actions. With experience in policy advocacy, research, and legislative process facilitation, we have the expertise to assist various parties in developing more effective and sustainable cultural policies.

If you are part of a government institution, cultural community, or private sector that wants to contribute to strengthening the cultural ecosystem, we can help in various aspects, including:

• Assistance in the preparation of cultural policies, both at the national and regional levels.
• Data-based policy mapping and research to support cultural advancement strategies.
• Facilitate discussions and formulation of cultural strategies for government institutions and cultural communities.
• Development of sustainable funding models for the cultural sector to ensure long-term support for cultural initiatives.

With the right collaboration, we can create a cultural system that is stronger, more adaptive, and able to respond to the challenges of the times.

Key Deliverables

We provide concrete solutions to support cultural advancement through:

• A governance-based policy approach that ensures cultural policies do not interfere with community creativity, but rather build an ecosystem that supports it.
• Facilitate the formulation of cultural policies at the regional level through the Regional Cultural Thoughts (PPKD) mechanism.
• Strengthening the cultural ecosystem through data-driven policy strategies, so that the resulting policies are measurable and have long-term impacts.
• A sustainable cultural funding model, including the management of the Cultural Trust Fund as an instrument to support the development of Indonesian arts, culture and cultural heritage.

With our extensive experience and network, we are ready to contribute to strengthening Indonesia’s cultural ecosystem towards a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future.