Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 2: The Tibetan Artists Festival, a vibrant three-day celebration of Tibetan creativity and heritage organised by TibetWrites, concluded on Sunday night with a landmark announcement. During the closing ceremony, Bob Ankerson, President of the Tibet Fund, announced the formation of the Tibetan Arts Council, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering Tibetan artists and amplifying their voices globally.
He acknowledged TibetWrites’ efforts to better understand the aspirations and needs of the Tibetan artist community, drawing parallels between their mission and that of the Tibet Fund. “Over the past several years, we have been supporting organisations such as Drung, TibetWrites, and Khadhok,” he noted. Ankerson shared insights into the festival’s brainstorming sessions, where participating artists identified challenges and opportunities in the Tibetan arts ecosystem. One of the top priorities was the establishment of a Tibetan Arts Council, envisioned as a free and open membership association for Tibetan artists and arts organisations.
“This council will be shaped and driven by the Tibetan artist community itself,” Ankerson said, announcing the formation of an interim steering committee to map out the council’s structure and an international advisory board comprising established Tibetan artists to guide its initiatives. “On behalf of the Tibet Fund, we look forward to facilitating the next steps of mapping out the specifics and then helping to support and raise funds for new initiatives in the coming years.”
Reflecting on the significance of the festival, Ankerson expressed deep admiration for the participating artists, emphasising their critical role in keeping the Tibetan culture vibrant and creative as it evolves, adapts, and transforms over time. “We don’t know what the next generations of Tibetan artists will create in 20 and 30 years but I am pretty sure, they will be inspired by your creations in the same way that many of you were once inspired by Rangzen Tsundue and Jhola Paljor,” he remarked.
The event was also attended by President Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). In his speech, President Tsering highlighted the remarkable progress the Tibetan community has achieved over the past 65 years under the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, including significant strides in the arts—ranging from writing and cultural performances to poetry and painting. He emphasised that if arts and creativity continue to play an active role in advancing the Tibetan cause, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) is committed to supporting and fostering the artistic community.
He also acknowledged the panel discussions held during the festival, which he noted were a first in exile, expressing hope for continued positive progress. He lauded the festival as a valuable platform for raising awareness about the Tibetan cause, not only within the exile community but also among a broader global audience.
Bhuchung D. Sonam, who is responsible for the conception of the festival told Phayul, “I am very happy that we were able to organise the Tibetan Artists Festival. As far as I know, this is the first time something like this has been done. Bringing together nearly 30 artists from Canada, Australia, the US, and across India to a place like this for three days is, in itself, a great success. Many of the artists returned to Dharamshala after many years, and they recognised the potential of art as a significant cultural soft power. It has also inspired them to continue engaging in their creative pursuits, such as making music and writing books, when they return to their respective places,” he said.
Speaking on the eventual formation of the Tibetan Arts Council, Bhuchung highlighted the challenges faced by Tibetan artists scattered across different countries. “Right now, our artists are dispersed across various nations, functioning within diverse cultural backgrounds and political circumstances. This fragmentation causes us to lose valuable opportunities, including funding, to create a unified platform for showcasing our work,” he explained.
He noted the lack of awareness among artists about available platforms and resources. “Writers, artists, and musicians each have their own spheres, but many are unaware of the possibilities available to them. We hope the Tibetan Arts Council will eventually establish networks and systems to provide not just financial support but also other resources to raise awareness through the work of artists spread across different countries,” Bhuchung stated.
