Shockingly, this once sleepy fishing village had no central cultural haven for either Miri natives or the wider community.
That was until Alter/Space, a cultural hub birthed by the Miri-based The Tuyang Initiative, was established.
Located in a shop lot, Alter/Space fills the void in accessible local creative work and independent, non-mainstream discourse that currently echoes throughout Miri.
“We have very typical performances at events in malls, exhibits at our library and so on. But nothing truly thought provoking, or that gives you a sense of awe or wonder.
“So, we hope to be that meaningful third space, a place where one, particularly young people, can easily learn something new and grow, access the arts and nurture creativity,” Juvita Tatan Wan, co-founder of the community-led arts management outfit, shared with FMT Lifestyle.
The aim is to nurture creativity, foster community connections, and preserve the city’s rich cultural identity.
Alter/Space is part of the five-year Borneo Startup Accelerator programme supported by Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (TERAJU) and the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC).
During a community preview event on Dec 3, locals were introduced to the tapestry of cultures that the gallery/studio endeavours to weave. The response was “overwhelmingly positive” according to Juvita, with visitors truly loving its vibrant cultural representation.
“Some even shared the kind of activities they would like to be held here. It was quite heartening,” Juvita happily recalled.
Juvita, who is Kenyah, formed The Tuyang Initiative in 2016 together with her father John Wan Usang to preserve Dayak cultural heritage and create meaningful livelihoods for community practitioners and local communities.
The initiative’s MYY Living Arts platform in 2021 set the stage for Miri’s first major public arts programme, setting the trajectory for Alter/Space.
The upcoming year promises a smorgasbord of creative offerings: independent film screenings, a showcase featuring women artists from Miri and Sarawak, theatre performances, mini music showcases, car boot sales, workshops, cultural classes, and a fix-it clinic.
“We are trying to make a lot of our activities free with the support of sponsors. It’s to ensure as many people as possible, especially kids, get to experience workshops, performances and so on without money being a hindrance,” Juvita, 38, said.
Alter/Space will also host monthly dialogue sessions by History of Miri, a community-led group who recounts the post-World War evolution of Miri, adding a historical dimension to its eclectic offerings.
Juvita said she envisions these sessions not only as insightful narratives but also as potential tools for tourism and historical documentation.
As for Alter/Space’s strategic location along Jalan Brighton, Juvita shared that the plan was to initially open the space in the heart of town but upon further reflection, she and her team felt a community-dense neighbourhood, as opposed to a tourist-centric area, was more suitable.
“We face two schools across the road and it is a perfect spot for schoolkids to hang out. It gives us the opportunity to engage with them, culturally, from a young age,” Juvita explained.
“We also want to make arts accessible for all because it’s not something that’s necessarily encouraged. So, we want to help the young people and kids to think critically and learn these channels on how to express themselves through creative means,” she added.
Beyond enriching the lives of the younger generation, Alter/Space aspires to play a pivotal role in preserving the cultural identity of Miri natives.
“We’ve always been known as an oil and gas city and because of that, I think we lost the essence of who we are sometimes.
“It has become very important for us to maintain and help develop that sense of identity and belonging outside of that industry. We feel this space can help people discover our essence as Mirians,” Juvita concluded.
‘Alter/Space’
Lot 277, Block 11
Miri Concession Land District
Jalan Temenggong Datuk Oyong Lawai
9800 Miri, Sarawak
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: 014-6925 988 / [email protected]
Follow The Tuyang Initiative on Instagram.