Chin Wen Yen came to know about the Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival (YSDAF) 2018 Pitch Start open call just three days before the deadline. Being an architectural model maker for over a decade, she had always wanted to diversify the purpose of building a model.

Since she was also conducting an art workshop with special needs children at the time, Wen Yen naturally came up with an idea to introduce teaching materials for the visually and hearing impaired. Within a couple of days, she briefly drafted a proposal and submitted it.

A couple of months later, Wen Yen was announced as the winner of the competition and awarded with a RM20,000 grant. Her winning creation which premiered at YSDAF 2018 won the hearts of many was called Subject-Y. It was an inclusive, touchable museum with a multi-sensory installation catered to the visually and hearing-impaired. 

Two years prior to Wen Yen’s Subject-Y, YSDAF 2016 unveiled Paras Bunyi Collective as a co-winner of the year’s Pitch Start grant. Paras Bunyi Collective created a fully-immersive multi-sensory multimedia experience by combining visual and sonic aesthetics that fused local, native, modern, and experimental art and music.

Like Wen Yen and Paras Bunyi Collective, you too can stand a chance to win up to RM20,000 grant under YSDAF 2023’s Pitch Start which is now calling for submissions.

But first things first. Before you start brainstorming for ideas, let’s unlock your creativity based on Wen Yen’s personal tips.

1. Don’t be afraid to try new things.

Explore your creativity. If the outcome is not what you have expected, do not give up easily. The essential part of creativity is not being afraid to fail.

2. Think outside the box.

Much of our creativity stems from the ability to see things through different perspectives. 

3. Start small, then magnify.

Don’t be discouraged if you think your ideas are too small or not grand enough. Creativity is like a muscle – the more you use it, the more it develops. 

4. Be yourself.

It’s a gigantic misconception that creative people need to live wild and unstructured lives. Stay true to yourself and keep a disciplined schedule.

5. Have fun.

Having fun engages the creative side of the brain, decreases stress levels, increases optimism, boosts motivation and improves overall concentration.

6. Bring out the best from limited resources

Let go of the idea of perfection. Hold back on criticising yourself and learn to accept barriers as challenges.

7. Let nature inspire you.

To rekindle your inner creativity, consider spending some time in a natural setting. Your mind and body will thank you for it. 

8. Find your calling.

When you work on something you are passionate about, it is easier to find your direction, stay focused and keep going until the end.

9. Keep your creative juices flowing.

Join different creative platforms such as workshops and competitions. Expose yourself creatively in order to propel your creative skills to new heights.

10. Surround yourself with creative people.

Keep creative people close to you and engage with them regularly. As Albert Einstein once said, “Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.”

How to win up to RM20,000?

If you think you have an innovative idea and you are ready to share the idea with the world, Pitch Start is definitely the platform for you!

Pitch Start is a platform for artistes and art groups to submit their creative and original ideas, for a chance to win a grant up to RM20,000 and to premiere the work at the festival finale in August. 

YSDAF 2023 Pitch Start is now calling for innovative ideas for a curated mixed medium experience, preferably with a digital and interactive component, that best exemplifies this year’s theme of “Shout it Out: Yesterday, Today or Tomorrow.”

So, do you have an innovative idea to feature? If yes, submissions to Pitch Start 2023 are now open! Put your creative hats on and submit your proposals by 30th April 2023. 

Guidelines and application forms can be obtained here. For more information about YSDAF, click here. Good luck!

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Cover image and press release sourced from Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival.