As Malaysia’s only Fortune 500 company, PETRONAS has the resources to contribute to the community in a big way. This it does, through numerous initiatives. One significant arm of its CSR efforts targets culture and heritage.
PETRONAS supports, creates and promotes accessible platforms for the visual arts, performing arts and classical music through the establishment, operations and outreach programmes of the PETRONAS Performing Arts Group (PPAG), GALERI PETRONAS and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
The arts and culture programme began with the establishment of the PPAG in 1989 to develop, document, preserve, promote and perform Malaysian dance and music. PPAG has one of the most extensive performing arts repertoires in the country, covering various ethnic groups it has researched. It also promotes Malaysian culture and heritage globally as ambassadors of PETRONAS and Malaysia. In addition to cultivating its own team of musicians, composers, choreographers, dancers and stage professionals, senior members of PPAG are called upon to teach at various performing art academies in the country.
In 1993, GALERI PETRONAS was built to contribute to the preservation, documentation, development and promotion of traditional and contemporary Malaysian visual art. Through an art heritage acquisition programme, the gallery has accumulated traditional and contemporary artworks by established and emerging Malaysian artists in mediums such as textiles, crafts, sculptures, paintings and photography. These are displayed and documented to create awareness and develop appreciation of the richness of Malaysian visual arts. Since its inception, GALERI PETRONAS has reached millions of visitors and participants through exhibitions and public awareness and education programmes. The gallery has also nurtured Malaysian talents by providing a dedicated space for artists to display their works and develop their craft, as well as expose them to global trends through the international exhibitions held. Today, GALERI PETRONAS is an important icon in the Malaysian art landscape, providing a crucial arts engagement platform for Malaysian artists and audiences.
The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) made its debut in 1998 at the Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP). Established and managed by PETRONAS, the DFP adopts the highest standards, visible in its world-class orchestra as well as its grandeur as a concert venue. It has been instrumental in cultivating Malaysian talent by providing opportunities for musicians and composers to learn and collaborate with the international MPO players who bring with them tremendous talent and virtuosity as well as a wealth of experience and a professional attitude and passion towards the music they perform. To help the wider community appreciate, enjoy and benefit from the establishment of the MPO and DFP, the MPO Education and Outreach Programme (Encounter) was established in 1999. Encounter’s activities include school concerts, family fun days, pre-concert events, master classes and workshops held at the DFP plus also visits by the MPO to schools, colleges and universities, hospitals and orphanages to share the love of music through live performances and demonstrations.
PETRONAS realises it is a challenge to garner greater interest in the arts among the Malaysian public but is consistently expanding its outreach programmes. The MPO, for example, works closely with the Ministry of Education, government agencies, music institutions, art organisations and the media to enable its programmes to reach a larger and more diverse audience. PPAG holds workshops to explain indigenous arts to the public.
GALERI PETRONAS, meanwhile, has art workshops for children during school holidays and organises innovative programmes that link the visual arts with more popular mediums such as music, film and the performing arts to generate greater interest in arts and culture.
As a result of its multifaceted efforts, more Malaysians are appreciating arts and culture while more talents are being unearthed, taking Malaysia’s cultural heritage to the forefront of the global art scene.
The Prime Minister’s CSR Awards, launched by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development in 2007, aims to recognise companies that have made a difference to the communities in which they operate through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. Download the Official Entry Form.
