Arts for All Seasons (ArtsFAS) is a grant programme by Yayasan Hasanah that supports initiatives focused on Malaysia’s arts, heritage, and cultural traditions

Celebrating Malaysia’s Living Heritage

At Yayasan Hasanah, we recognise that heritage arts form an important part of Malaysia’s national identity. These include traditional crafts, performing arts, oral traditions, visual arts, culinary traditions, and other heritage arts and cultural knowledge that have been passed down through generations and continue to shape Malaysia’s cultural landscape.

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Mastery shared, traditions lived @ Celebrate Arts, Taman Tugu

Originally launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to support artists and cultural practitioners during a challenging period, ArtsFAS has since evolved into a programme that strengthens Malaysia’s arts and heritage ecosystem.

Through ArtsFAS, Yayasan Hasanah supports projects that:

  • preserve and document heritage arts
  • transfer artistic skills and cultural knowledge to the next generation
  • strengthen communities and practitioners working in heritage arts
  • create opportunities for Malaysian cultural practitioners to share their work with the public

Grant Size & Duration

Funding Amount

Up to RM250,000 per project
(Final grant amounts will be determined based on project scope, needs, and assessment outcomes).

Project Duration

Up to 6 months

Application Window

Open year-round until the available funding has been fully allocated.

Review Cycle

Applications are reviewed quarterly

Applicants are advised to submit applications at least 20 weeks before programme commencement.

Showcasing art, growing appreciation by JBDrums

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be fully registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) or Registrar of Companies (ROC)

Be active for at least one (1) year prior to applying for Yayasan Hasanah’s grant award

Demonstrate experience or involvement in arts, heritage, or cultural projects

If the organisation was previously operating under a different name, supporting documentation must be provided to verify this continuity.

The ArtsFAS grant provides one-off support and should not overlap with any of the following Yayasan Hasanah funding programmes:

  • Hasanah Grants
  • Hasanah Micro Grant
  • Sponsorship
  • Social Enterprise Grant
  • Humanitarian Fund

Supporting Documents

Applicants must submit the following documents:

  • Copy of ROS or ROC Certificate
  • Latest 3 months bank statement
  • Organisation or society portfolio
  • Project proposal and project details
  • Pitch deck template
  • Budget template
  • Implementation plan template
  • Any additional documentation demonstrating the organisation’s capabilities or track record

⁠Empowering communities, sustaining livelihoods for Batu Lungunyan

Project Areas Supported

ArtsFAS supports projects that contribute to the development and sustainability of Malaysia’s arts, heritage, and cultural ecosystem through one of the following areas:

Knowledge & Skills Transmission

Passing legacies, nurturing futures by Lambo Sari

Projects that support the transfer of artistic skills and cultural knowledge from experienced practitioners to new learners or younger generations.

Examples of Projects

  • Master–apprentice mentorship programmes
  • Heritage dance or music training
  • Traditional craft skill development programmes
  • Artisan-led structured workshops

What We Expect

  • Clear learning outcomes
  • Structured teaching or mentorship
  • Evidence of participants developing new skills

Not Prioritised

  • One-off workshops/ performance without structured learning
  • Demonstrations without knowledge transfer

Community-Led Heritage Projects

Community learning, future ownership-workshop by Canvas Art

Projects where local communities actively lead and participate in preserving and strengthening their cultural traditions.

Examples of Projects

  • Revitalisation of traditional crafts or performing arts within communities
  • Community-run cultural spaces or village cultural hubs
  • Local cultural gatherings that share heritage knowledge

What We Expect

  • Active involvement of community members in planning and implementation
  • Strong cultural relevance to the local community
  • Potential for continuity beyond the grant period

Not Prioritised

  • One-off festivals without community participation
  • Cultural events without involvement of local practitioners

Documentation & Cultural Knowledge Preservation

Documenting heritage, owning narratives— Telepuk book by Lamar Dollar

Projects that record, archive, or share heritage knowledge and cultural practices for future learning and reference.

Examples of Projects

  • Heritage documentation projects
  • Textile or craft knowledge archives
  • Cultural video documentation
  • Publications or educational resources

What We Expect

  • Clear outputs such as publications, digital archives, videos, or toolkits
  • Knowledge that is accessible to practitioners, students, or the public

Not Prioritised

  • Documentation without public dissemination
  • Personal portfolios or promotional materials

Cultural Leadership & Capacity Building

Building capacity, elevating practices through residencies

Projects that strengthen leadership, coordination, and organisational capacity within the heritage arts sector.

Examples of Projects

  • Training programmes for cultural organisers or heritage leaders
  • Networks or collectives of artisans and cultural practitioners
  • Cultural mapping initiatives
  • Programmes connecting practitioners with communities

What We Expect

  • Programmes connecting practitioners with communities
  • Development of leadership or organisational capacity
  • Strengthening of cultural networks or ecosystems

Not Prioritised

  • Isolated events without long-term sector development

Cultural Showcases & Public Platforms

Activating spaces, powering orange economy with Kelab Bandar Kita Johor Bahru

Projects that provide opportunities for Malaysian artists, artisans, and cultural practitioners to share their work and cultural knowledge with the public.

Examples of Projects

  • Cultural festivals featuring heritage practitioners
  • Artisan showcases or craft platforms
  • Programmes introducing emerging practitioners to wider audiences

What We Expect

  • Meaningful visibility for cultural practitioners
  • Public engagement with heritage arts
  • Curated programmes highlighting Malaysian cultural traditions

Not Prioritised

  • Commercial events without cultural development focus
  • Events where practitioners are only performers

Additional Notes for Applicants

For organisations that have previously received ArtsFAS support:

  • New applications must demonstrate new elements or expanded outcomes
  • The proposed project should not replicate previously funded activities

Applicants are encouraged to ensure that their projects demonstrate clear outcomes and measurable impact, such as:

  • skills development
  • knowledge transmission
  • documentation outputs
  • community engagement
  • strengthened cultural networks

The ArtsFAS project is limited to supporting Malaysian artists only.

Attachments

Innovating heritage, keeping it alive by IKAT Malaysia

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