Warisan KL grants open for creatives to shape city's cultural future
Community groups, art collectives, heritage activists, and creatives in Kuala Lumpur can now apply for funding to revive the city's historic heart.
PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad) and Think City (a Khazanah Nasional Berhad subsidiary) have launched a new cycle of the Merdeka 118 Community and Kreatif KL Grants Programmes to support this effort.
The grants are part of Warisan KL, an ongoing plan to revitalise old neighbourhoods and public spaces in the capital through art, culture and community initiatives.
Both grant streams adopt a precinct-based approach, focusing on areas such as Petaling Street, Jalan Hang Tuah, Bukit Bintang, Kampung Attap, and Pudu – locations identified for their cultural significance and potential for catalytic transformation.
'As part of Warisan KL, Merdeka 118 plays an important role in supporting the city's cultural regeneration and heritage tourism,' said Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda, group chairman of PNB, at the official launch.
'From the beginning, this initiative has been about renewal with the community at its heart. We have seen first-hand how these initiatives create real results,' he added.
Past grantee projects show how this support has helped collectives and arts groups bring bold ideas to life. Last year, digital art outfit Filamen's Terang series transformed MaTiC on Jalan Ampang with outdoor projection mapping celebrating cultural futurism.
AR Fest added another layer to the city with over 30 interactive augmented reality artworks, while Echoes of the Hornbill's Cry brought Sarawakian stories to the stage through contemporary dance at Panggung Bandaraya.
Events like the KL Art Book Fair highlighted the city's vibrant self-publishing and artist-run scenes, while the Human Library of KL encouraged eye-opening conversations with people from all walks of life.
Coming up later this month, the International Bachfest Malaysia 2025: Bridging Bach (July 23–27) will offer concerts, talks, and performances that connect classical music with fresh local ideas.
Since 2021, PNB has committed nearly RM5mil to support 21 projects under the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme, including heritage trails, social enterprise pop-ups, and public realm improvements.
Think City's Kreatif KL Grants Programme has supported 67 projects with over RM6mil in funding since 2020, ranging from grassroots cultural activations and placemaking to creative enterprise and public space revitalisation.
'We've partnered with the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme since its inception and witnessed how grassroots initiatives can reshape the urban landscape with the right support," said Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed, managing director of Think City.
"These efforts are building momentum on the ground, reflecting a broader story of change where people reclaim public spaces, revive local identity, and bring the Warisan KL vision to life,' he added.
Applications for both grant programmes are open now. The Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme closes on Aug 10 and invites proposals under the themes of Cultural Heritage Preservation, Community Empowerment, and Content & Activation.
The Kreatif KL Grants Programme closes on Aug 24, focusing on Cultural Identity & Heritage, Activation & Engagement, Economic Growth & Innovation, and Environmental Sustainability.
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