Proposal for Bangkok cultural & civic hub

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL | November 2016

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Creative Migration and the RSA are creating a new institution that can support the building of civil society

and nurturing of creativity across Thailand.

1. OrganisatiOnal BackgrOund

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Led by Thai/US dual citizen Susannah Tantemsapya, Creative Migration’s mission is to produce and collaborate on initiatives to advance cultural diplomacy through the pillars of art, social engagement and sustainable futures.

Established in 2005, our US-based organisation has continuously supported projects that interrupt the status quo of daily life, exploring contemporary societal concerns through relational aesthetics. Our programming actively creates social capital by linking diplomatic theories to cultural practices through thoughtfully curated films, installations, public gatherings, experimental performances, and more.

Notable projects include The First Human Born In Space, Projection, and POST NEW BILLS: The Story of Green Patriot Posters.

The First Human Born In Space (top) & (bottom) Projection, installation view

Creative Migration is an international arts organisation

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The RSA House in London, United Kingdom

The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) has pioneered progressive thinking and practical action for over 260 years. We seek to support a 21st Century Enlightenment, and are committed to finding innovative practical solutions to today’s social challenges.

We achieve change through combining our global platform for ideas, ground-breaking research and practical innovations, and an international Fellowship of 28,000 people who share our values and want to make change happen in their context.

At the heart of all our work is a belief that everyone should have the freedom and power to live full, creative lives, and put their ideas into action. We call this ‘the power to create’.

The RSA’s Patron is currently HM Elizabeth II and our President is HRH The Princess Royal.

the rsa is a UK-based global thinK-&-aCt tanK

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For democracy to flourish in any country, a strong, fully engaged civil society is imperative. A healthy civil society expands the realm of human connection to meet essential needs: well-being, social connections, civic participation, freedom of expression, and belonging.

In order to develop a flourishing society capable of meeting the complex, interconnected challenges facing all 21st century societies, the cultivation of individual and collective creativity is crucial. Considering creativity needs to be fostered across all domains, culture and the arts are vital catalysts for a vibrant, inclusive society.

Whilst single-issue organisations and campaigns will continue to be crucial drivers of change, new institutions will also be needed with the capacity to work across a range of issues – more flexible in terms of goals, areas of focus and mix of methods than more traditional civil society organisations.

We believe that Creativity is the Key to a floUrishing soCiety

2. Why thailand?

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The recent sad passing of the widely adored King Bhumibol Adulyadej – a welcome figure of stability for seven decades – now brings a year of mourning to Thailand. The transition to a new monarch, and com-mitment to democratic elections by 2018 means that Thailand is poised for a period of significant social, economic, and cultural change. Seen globally as a development success story, the government has a compelling vision of a Thailand 4.0 growth model with entrepreneurialism, creativity and sustainability at its heart. This is an opportunity to reinvigorate not only its economy, but its wider society too.

Now, more than ever, Thailand can build a stronger, more inclusive civil society that can harness the ex-traordinary creativity of all Thai citizens. As a key member of ASEAN, Thailand also has a significant opportunity to play a key regional role as a 21st century civic beacon across the region.

thailand faCes a MoMent of Change & opportUnity

3. summary

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Our new institution will support the building of civil society and nurturing of creativity in Thailand.

We will provide a platform for enlightened debate, multidisciplinary collaboration and a space for new ideas, networks and talent to be fostered and promoted. The Hub will be a unique social voice in Thailand.

The Hub will become one of Bangkok’s most vital civic spaces; bringing together citizens, artists, innovators, entrepreneurs and thinkers to co-create an authentically Thai response to the challenges of the 21st century. For example, the Royal Initiative of the ‘Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy’ is an important guide for our Hub to become a model of sustainability.

We are Creating a neW CUltUral & CiviC hUb in thailand.

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Our location in Bangkok, Thailand

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All activities will take place at the former home of Chaophraya Thammasakmontri, considered Thailand’s Father of Education.

For his time, he was known for his progressive ideas, influenced by Western ideology and Buddhist texts. He served as the inaugural President of the House of Representatives, leading the Kingdom of Siam into a constitutional monarchy.

The house was built in 1899, and is situated near the Chao Phraya River and the Royal Palace.

We have been gifted a historiC loCation

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Chaophraya Thammasakmontri

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Our location in Bangkok, Thailand

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Our location in Bangkok, Thailand

4. PrOject OBjectives

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1. To develop a programme of events that will foster critical debate about key issues amongst Thai citizens, as well as raise the profile of high quality Thai thinkers and actors amongst a wider global audience

2. To demonstrate how arts and culture can foster collaboration, inform new perspectives, and facilitate social change in the Thai context

3. To build a diverse, empowered cohort of at least 100 Thai RSA Fellows who share and model the RSA’s values, who are supported to make change happen in their contexts

4. To develop new insights into how social change and policy change happens in Thailand that can inform our future approach, as well as those of other NGOs in Thailand

5. To influence thinking, policies and practices around 3 themes: innovation in education, inclusive urban growth, and economic democracy

6. To demonstrate practical approaches to sustainable living and design to influence pro-environmental behaviour amongst individuals and communities

in the first year, oUr hUb Will have six MeasUrable objeCtives

4. PrOject activities

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Our initial one-year project will develop a series of 6 activities to test, adapt and maximise impact.

1. Events platform: delivering high quality, impactful public events and live-streamed events from the RSA in London

2. Open space: providing a neutral space for creativity and social innovation, including a café, and other meeting spaces

3. Fellowship recruitment & engagement: supporting a diverse network of change-makers, RSA Engage events and Catalyst funding, and connecting them to existing opportunities, Fellows and networks

4. International Artists Residency: fostering collaboration in Thai arts and culture, including open exhibitions, film screenings, and outreach work

5. Design-Thinking Summits: influencing thinking in innovative education, urban growth, and economic democracy, and connecting with RSA research and staff

6. Models for sustainability: testing practical approaches to sustainable living in 21st century Thailand

testing oUr objeCtives throUgh a one-year pilot prograMMe (2017-18)*

* more information on each activity can be found in attached Appendix

5. BrOader cOmmunicatiOns

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the rsa’s popUlar online Channels Will generate interest & engageMent

6. PartnershiPs

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We have commitments from social enterprises such as Go Organics and Malala Coffee. There is also a strong interest from the Root Garden, an Oxfam funded project that is looking to rebuild their urban farm and café since recently losing its location. We are also in conversations from Thailand’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, the British Council, US Embassy and the British Chamber of Commerce.

Both the RSA and Creative Migration have various connections to universities such as Chulalongkorn, Thammasat and Mahidol. Creative Migration also has close relationships with art institutions such as Jim Thompson Art Center, MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum, and The Land Foundation, and internationally renowned artists like Rirkrit Tiravanija, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and Korakrit Arunanondchai.

We will also seek to build partnerships with the many regional and international NGOs who are based in Bangkok, so that our work can resonate across Asia. Our most important partnerships will be with the Thai People themselves. Recruiting and engaging them as new RSA Fellows will be vital to our aims.

oUr sUCCess depends on bUilding strong loCal & regional partnerships

Views of Root Garden (above) & MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum (below)

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We are currently identifying and cultivating a number of potential funders, including individual Thai philanthropists and corporations and regional and global foundations with an interest in building civil society.

Although we are especially interested in core investment, there are also opportunities for founding funders to sponsor specific programme strands or the costs to support the sustainable redesign of the building and its grounds.

The estimated minimum budget for our pilot year is $350,000.

Our five-year budget is $2.5 million for both programme and building related costs.

at this stage, We are looKing for early investMent froM foUnding fUnders

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If you think you can play a part in creating a vibrant new institution,

please get in touch.

Joe HallgartenInterim Director, RSA Global

joe.hallgarten@rsa.org.uk / +44 207 451 6917

Susannah TantemsapyaFounder/Executive Director, Creative Migration

susannah@creativemigration.org / +1 646 621 0692

thank yOu