Kuala Lumpur:The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through the National Art Gallery, has launched the ASEAN Artpreneur Retreat 2026 (AAR 2026). This initiative aims to help creative entrepreneurs transform their ideas into market-ready products and sustainable businesses.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 15-day program, running from October 5 to 19 and themed 'Innovate and Elevate', is designed to enhance entrepreneurial skills, facilitate knowledge exchange, and expand opportunities within the regional creative economy. The retreat combines creative dialogue, mentorship, and practical entrepreneurial development, with a focus on product development, market readiness, commercialization, and sustainable business models.

Participants will collaborate with industry experts and creative practitioners to refine their ideas, understand market needs, and strengthen their business capabilities. Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Chiew Choon Man inaugurated the retreat at Menara Kuala Lumpur.

MOTAC highlighted that the retreat includes alums from the Young Art Entrepreneur (YAE!) program, who will provide peer mentorship on navigating the market, building brands, and scaling up production. In line with the Visit Malaysia 2026-2027 Campaign, participants will create new products or services inspired by the campaign's theme, utilizing local cultural assets to enrich visitor experiences and generate new economic opportunities for creative communities.

The program will conclude with a commercial product showcase, presenting the outcomes developed during the retreat and demonstrating participants' abilities to transform artistic concepts into marketable offerings. Guided by the Malaysia MADANI principles, AAR 2026 emphasizes MOTAC's dedication to empowering creative talent, fostering regional collaboration, and driving inclusive economic growth across ASEAN.