Bringing Banjar Creativity and Culture to Life
Amid the rapid development of Banjarmasin as the economic and cultural center of South Kalimantan, an artistic event has emerged that continues to gain attention from the public and creative communities: Banjarmasin Art Week (BAW).
This annual art festival is more than just an exhibition of artworks. It serves as a gathering space where artists, creative communities, academics, and the general public come together to celebrate the diversity of artistic expression flourishing in the land of Banjar.
Since its inaugural edition in 2022, Banjarmasin Art Week has grown into one of the most exciting cultural events in South Kalimantan.
Through visual arts exhibitions, performances, discussions, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaborations, the festival has demonstrated that Banjarmasin possesses tremendous potential as a creative city rich in artistic and cultural talent.
The Beginning of Banjarmasin Art Week
Banjarmasin Art Week was initiated by the Banjarmasin City Arts Council in collaboration with the Banjarmasin Municipal Government. The festival was created to provide a platform capable of bringing together various artistic communities within a collaborative environment.
The inaugural edition, held in November 2022, carried the theme “Jukung Barenteng.” In the Banjar language, the term reflects the spirit of togetherness and mutual cooperation, much like several jukung, or traditional boats, moving together along a river.
The theme was chosen as a symbol of collaboration among artists and cultural communities in Banjarmasin.
The first festival lasted for one week and was spread across several strategic locations, including the Siring Menara Pandang waterfront area, one of the iconic tourism landmarks along the Martapura River.
Public enthusiasm was remarkably high, as evidenced by the thousands of visitors who attended to enjoy the various performances and exhibitions.
Support from the local government was also evident. During the closing ceremony, then-Mayor Ibnu Sina purchased three paintings by local artists as a gesture of appreciation and support for the growth of regional arts.
A Meeting Place for Traditional and Contemporary Art
One of the unique aspects of Banjarmasin Art Week is its ability to bring traditional and contemporary art together on the same stage.
The festival not only showcases modern paintings and art installations but also provides space for the cultural expressions of the Banjar people that have been passed down through generations.
Visitors can enjoy a wide range of artistic forms, including visual arts, music performances, theater, dance, photography, and multimedia art. This diversity makes BAW an inclusive festival capable of reaching audiences from all backgrounds.
In 2023, Banjarmasin Art Week returned with the theme “Kumarau Landang.” Held at the Banjarmasin Creative Hub, the festival became a gathering place for artists from diverse backgrounds and artistic genres.
The exhibited works demonstrated how local traditions can adapt to modern developments without losing their cultural identity.
Through this approach, BAW successfully created a creative dialogue between older and younger generations, between tradition and innovation, and between local art and global perspectives.
Kalatikan: Focusing on Regeneration and New Ideas
A significant development occurred during the 2024 edition of Banjarmasin Art Week, which adopted the theme “Kalatikan.”
This theme highlighted the importance of regeneration within the arts while opening discussions on various creative issues emerging in society.
Unlike previous years, BAW III began with a series of pre-festival activities starting in September.
Six artistic committees under the Banjarmasin City Arts Council organized workshops, public discussions, and educational programs involving students, university scholars, community groups, and professional artists.
For this edition, the curation process was made more selective by involving curators from outside the region. This step was taken to improve the quality of exhibited works while strengthening Banjarmasin Art Week’s position as a professional-standard art festival.
The presence of independent curators brought a fresh perspective to the selection process, transforming the festival into not only an exhibition space but also a platform for capacity building among artists.
Banjarmasin Art Week 2025 and the Spirit of Sustainable Art
By 2025, Banjarmasin Art Week had further established itself as a mature annual arts festival. Held from September 5 to 15 at the Banjarmasin Culture Hub, the event featured a variety of creative programs involving both local artists and younger generations.
One of the most notable programs was BAW Balarut, a visual arts exhibition carrying the theme “Life Is Short, Art Is Eternal.” The program offered opportunities for professional artists, students, and university participants to contribute through an open-call system.
This concept reflected the organizers’ commitment to expanding access and opportunities for creative expression. Art was no longer viewed as an exclusive domain for a select few but as a medium accessible to anyone with creativity and passion.
Encouraging Banjarmasin to Become an Arts City and Cultural Tourism Destination
Behind each edition, Banjarmasin Art Week carries a mission that extends beyond simply organizing an annual festival. Hajriansyah, Chairman of the Banjarmasin City Arts Council, stated that the event aims to inspire, motivate, and consolidate the artistic potential of Banjarmasin and South Kalimantan.
In addition, BAW plays an important role in preserving Banjar culture through approaches that remain relevant to contemporary generations.
The local themes featured each year serve as platforms for discussing social, cultural, and regional identity issues within a broader context.
Looking ahead, Banjarmasin Art Week is expected to develop into one of South Kalimantan’s premier cultural tourism attractions. Its potential is significant, as the festival successfully combines art, culture, education, and tourism within a single engaging program.
A Bright Future for Banjarmasin Art Week
The journey of Banjarmasin Art Week from 2022 to 2025 demonstrates consistent growth. What began as a newly established art festival has evolved into a creative platform that brings together various segments of society in a spirit of collaboration.
With support from local government, artistic communities, educational institutions, and the public, the festival has strong potential to become one of South Kalimantan’s leading cultural icons.
Banjarmasin Art Week is not only about showcasing artworks but also about building the city’s identity, strengthening the regeneration of artists, and preserving Banjar cultural heritage so that it remains vibrant and relevant in a changing world.
Through its enduring spirit of collaboration, Banjarmasin Art Week has the potential to become one of the most influential art festivals on the island of Kalimantan and a source of pride for the Banjar people for years to come.
