Cambodian Living Arts

Cambodian Living Arts
Khmer name	—
Common name	CLA
Type	Cambodia aid
Focus areas	To be a catalyst in a vibrant arts sector, inspiring new generations.
Business type	—
Location	New York,New York,United States
HQ country	USA
Address	—
Founded	1998
EIN (US only)	45-5218362
Website	https://www.cambodianlivingarts.org/
Donation	—
Contact	[email protected]
Languages	—
Sponsoring org	—
Award amount	—
Eligibility	—
Application window	—
Apply	—
Impact geography	—
Facebook	Facebook
Instagram	—
YouTube	—
TikTok	—
X	—
LinkedIn	LinkedIn
Status	active
Last verified	2026-09-16 by WikiSysop
Sources
https://www.cambodianlivingarts.org/

Overview

Cambodian Living Arts was founded in 1998 by genocide survivor and musician Arn Chorn-Pond, with five inaugural students learning from Cambodia's remaining master artists. Its initial focus was preserving endangered performing art forms and rituals after 90% of Cambodia's artists failed to survive the Khmer Rouge regime.

As Cambodia and its arts scene developed, the organization expanded its work to support the next generation of artists through scholarships, fellowships, and professional development. It also works on cultural policy advocacy, arts education, performance opportunities, and the Khmer Magic Music Bus, which brings performances and demonstrations to communities lacking access to the performing arts.

Mission

Cambodian Living Arts was founded to preserve Cambodia's endangered performing art forms and rituals. Its current work provides scholarships, fellowships, and professional development training to help the next generation of artists build and develop careers in the arts. Its programs aim to give artists and cultural leaders the resources and opportunities to tell stories of contemporary Cambodia through local stages, schools, community spaces, and audiences around the world. The organization also aims to promote creativity and innovation in the arts sector, build links with neighbors in the Greater Mekong region and further afield in Asia, engage in cultural policy advocacy, build arts education curricula in public schools, and increase performance opportunities for Cambodian artists.

Leadership

Arn Chorn-Pond — Founder, Cambodian Living Arts; Founder and Spokesperson
Yon Sokhorn — Country Director, Cambodian Living Arts
Prim Phloeun — Executive Director, Living Arts International
Rudgard Frances — Director, Mekong Cultural Hub
Thorn Seyma — Community Engagement & Outreach Program Coordinator
Say Tola — Grants Program Coordinator
Meth Monthary — Scholarship Programme Coordinator
Soeurn Manet — Project Coordinator
Phary Phacdey — Head of Marketing and Fundraising
Suol Nary — Marketing and Communication Coordinator
Miner Reilly — Communications and Outreach
Loy Sreynith — Content Creator
Thon Dika — Videographer and Editor
Kuon Manith — Head of Finance
Kong Chanmanina — Senior Finance & Operation Coordinator

Key programs

Grant Programs: Support new artistic creation, strengthen cultural initiatives, and expand opportunities for Cambodian artists locally and internationally.
Dam Dos Project Grant: Supports artists and cultural practitioners while amplifying their visibility and voice through digital platforms and public engagement.
Mobility Grant: Supports art and cultural practitioners from all disciplines to develop ideas, networking, and skills through participation in training, workshops, conferences, festivals, research presentations, and residencies.
New Creation Fellowship: Supports senior and emerging performing artists in developing creative skills, leadership, and projects through mentorship, hands-on creation, and skill workshops with regional experts, focusing on producing high-quality work and culminating in a public presentation.
Community Arts Outreach and Engagement: Brings arts experiences to people with limited access, especially in rural areas, through village concerts, community arts demonstrations, cultural tours, and on-site presentations throughout the year.
Village Concerts: Stages music concerts in remote communities where people have minimal access to arts events.
Music Demonstrations: Promotes rare musical instruments across Cambodian villages through live demonstrations and conversations.
Provincial Tours: Brings performances, talks, and interactive workshops to target provinces, enabling local communities to experience new works and engage directly in dialogue with artists.
Learning and Development: Empowers artists by strengthening their knowledge, creative skills, and leadership capabilities within the arts sector.
Arn Chorn-Pond Living Arts Scholarship: Supports emerging artists and creatives in expanding their practice, broadening their perspectives, and engaging more actively in the contemporary arts scene through financial support and professional development opportunities.
Fiscal Sponsorship: Provides legal, financial, and administrative support to independent artists and selected emerging arts organizations, helping them access funding and strengthen their programs and organizational capacity, especially during their incubation period.

Historical milestones

After the Khmer Rouge regime, 90% of Cambodia's artists did not survive, and arts transmitted between generations were in danger of being lost forever.
1998: Arn Chorn-Pond founded Cambodian Living Arts.
The organization initially focused on preserving endangered performing art forms and rituals.
The organization's work evolved over the past 2 decades in line with the development of Cambodia.
The organization began offering scholarships, fellowships, training opportunities, employment opportunities through regular performances and festivals, and opportunities for international exchanges, research, and networking.
Looking forward: CLA will focus more on creativity and innovation, regional and international links, arts and culture in education, and increased performance opportunities for Cambodian artists.

Funding

The page states that Cambodian Living Arts provides grants and financial support through its grant programs and Arn Chorn-Pond Living Arts Scholarship, and provides fiscal sponsorship to help artists and emerging arts organizations access funding. Annual budget, revenue, and specific funding sources are not found.

Partners

Living Arts International — CLA is part of Living Arts International, an international NGO that believes the arts are at the heart of a vital society.
Mekong Cultural Hub — CLA's sister organization.
Selected emerging arts organizations receiving CLA's fiscal sponsorship — individual organizations are not named.
Epic Arts — named in the CLA Board of Directors section through board member Sokny Onn, who is Country Director of Epic Arts.
Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia — named in the CLA Board of Directors section through board member H.E. Veng Sereyvuth, who is Chairman.
Kravanh Restaurant — named in the CLA Board of Directors section through board member Sophie Toan Ek, who is Owner.

Contact

Website: https://www.cambodianlivingarts.org/
Phone: Tel (Cambodia) +855 (0)23 986 032; Tel (USA) +1 (844) 252-2787
Email: [email protected]