Dr Catherine GRANT

Research Fellow at University of Newcastle and Griffith University, Australia
Exchange to Cambodian Living Arts, Cambodia

My Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowship aimed to improve understanding of the connection between intangible cultural heritage and socioeconomic concerns in contemporary Cambodia. Locally, my intent was to help inform strategies of communities, government, and the non-profit sector to support and improve the socioeconomic situation of young traditional musicians. I also aimed to improve understanding of the ways in which improving these socioeconomic circumstances, in turn, may also support broader cultural revitalisation efforts.

I was hosted in my fellowship by the non-profit arts organisation Cambodian Living Arts, based in Phnom Penh. My research gave me a wonderful opportunity to speak formally and informally with dozens of young traditional-genre musicians in Phnom Penh and the rural provinces, as well as other artists and government and non-government stakeholders. At the end of the fellowship, I engaged local arts bodies (including the Ministry of Culture of the Royal Government of Cambodia) in discussions about possible future strategies and priority actions arising from the research. Participants and other stakeholders received a summary of the project in Khmer. I also continue to publish and present my findings from this fellowship in international symposia and academic journals, and I am fostering further Australia-Cambodia arts collaborations through my university.

Throughout my fellowship I immersed myself in the local culture, taking intensive Khmer language classes, taking a voluntary consultancy role with the Intangible Cultural Heritage section of the Ministry of Culture, and regularly attending local cultural events, rehearsals, and performances. A highlight was my tuition with teacher Pich Sarath on the traditional instrument "chapei dong weng" (pictured), recently UNESCO-nominated as a form of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. As part of the performance troupe "Community of Living Chapey", I performed on several occasions, including at the Khmer Magic Music Bus performance at Battambang Water Festival in October, the Buddhist ceremony Bon Kathin in Kandal province in November, and the closing ceremony of the 6th International Film Festival at Chatamouk Theatre Phnom Penh in December.

I very much look forward to returning to Cambodia in late 2016 to continue my collaborations with local organisations and musicians. I wish to thank the Australian Government and the Cheung Kong Group for enabling me to have this remarkable learning experience in Cambodia.

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