The Performance Arts and Visual Arts Studies program (PSPSR) Universitas Gadjah Mada held a National Seminar in collaboration with UPI, UNY, and ISI Yogyakarta on June 10, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. This event was held at the Auditorium, 5th floor, UGM Graduate School.
This event is a cross-university academic collaboration centered on the theme “Arts Education, Cultural Literacy, and the Politics of Representation in the Contemporary Creative Ecosystem”, bringing together academics, practitioners, and researchers from various institutions to discuss, share ideas, and strengthen the role of arts and cultural education amid the current evolution of creative ecosystem.
One of the main speakers at this event was the head doctoral program at PSPSR UGM, Dr. Sri Margana, M.Hum, M.Phil, who presented a discussion titled “The Genealogy of Arts and Cultural Studies in Colonial Indonesia.” During this discussion forum, Dr. Sri Margana explained the institutionalization of arts and culture and Orientalist studies in Indonesia from the mid- to late 19th century.
Dr. Sri Margana also presented a series of his research findings on how arts and cultural institutions in Indonesia developed in the early 20th century. During the discussion, Dr. Sri Margana emphasized the importance of historical perspectives and the discourse on art history within the field of arts education in Indonesia.
The critical discussion on art history, the institutionalization of culture, and the organization of this cross-university seminar directly support the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include:
- SDG 4 (Quality Education), the integration of historical perspectives and the discourse of art history presented, serves as an essential component in improving the quality of the curriculum and expanding the discursive space of Arts Education in Indonesia to be more comprehensive and research-based.
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Through tracing the genealogy of art studies during the colonial era, this forum contributes to the efforts of preservation, deep understanding, and protection of the nation’s cultural heritage as well as its artistic and creative history.
- SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The implementation of this national seminar serves as a tangible realization of inclusive partnerships and strong academic collaboration among institutions (UGM, UPI, UNY, and ISI Yogyakarta) to advance science, arts, and culture in Indonesia. (TBP)
