Papua New Guinea’s creative arts industry has taken a step forward going online to showcase its artworks and products to the world – thanks to a virtual platform launched on Friday. (March 18, 2022). Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Isi Henry Leonard launched the online platform called “Creative Hub PNG” at APEC Haus in Port Moresby and described the move as a milestone technological ability. The launching was witnessed by members of the diplomatic corps, artists, government representatives and officials from the University of Papua New Guinea.

Creative Hub PNG is a virtual platform designed to connect arts and art lovers both locally and internationally. It has the potential to connect all stakeholders and allow visual artists to market, promote, and showcase their artworks and get empowered virtually. The online platform aims to promote, market, showcase and empower those in the different sectors of the creative industry including visual arts, music, performing arts, publishing, advertising, fashion, computer games, software developments, arts and crafts, research and development, including television and radio. The platform is currently in development stage and needs the support from partners and donors to expand and enable its nationwide reach or at least get most of the artists’ profiles in the hub.

Minister Leonard thanked Artech PNG, in particular Dr. Philemon Yalamu for his remarkable and state-of-the-art technological ability to create the hub. He committed K20, 000 to support and further develop the virtual platform. “Certainly, it’s been quite long since having an updated online database for PNG contemporary artists. It is remarkable having range of all different works of art. That can be appreciated by art collectors, Museums, art buyers and art lovers,” he said.

The executive director of National Cultural Commission, Steven Enomb Kilanda, said in his opening remarks that the launch of the online hub marked the beginning of a new era taking the creative sector into a new phase of the virtual world. He said coalition with Artech PNG has been one of the highlights in a partnership that signify the importance of the creative arts industry. “We want to show the nation this digital connectivity, energy, and tools are to empower change. This is the way forward since the emergence of the Covid-19 Pandemic, which temporarily closed craft market.