Meeting Leaders in Indonesia’s Creative Economy
JICAF 2024
I conducted interviews with art industry professionals to understand better Indonesia’s art ecosystem and how business knowledge can strengthen and scale up my creative practice. I thought that it would also be a good opportunity to research and solidify possible career paths. I cold emailed Andhi Sadha, strategic lead at enMasse, behind the Jakarta International Creative Arts Festival (JICAF), and Hendra Lesmono, a Corporate Communications Strategist with a background in advertising and creative leadership.
“I have always fascinated with creativity ever since I was young, I supposed growing up in Bali and having part of your family business include selling handcrafted art pieces subconsciously played a factor for me to pay attention toward art, but it was my interaction with the creative team during my advertising agency days, I was a media planner, that really shaped how art and creativity, when done right, can move people.”
- Andhi Sadha
I myself have attended JICAF several times and have been consistently drawn to the illustrations and designs sold there, which have really unique art styles and elements of Indonesian culture that I rarely see overseas in art museums or shops. I also wanted to speak with experts who understand how the art world collides with business strategy and how that intersection can drive sustainable growth, wider recognition, and career opportunities.
“The future of the creative industry demands a dual focus: relentless creativity paired with robust financial literacy and an entrepreneurial drive to create viable, long-term commercial assets.”
- Hendra Lesmono
With the right leadership and business acumen, Indonesian artists and their work can reach wider audiences and, in turn, share Indonesia’s rich and diverse culture.
