Art Opportunities in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

~ Traditional Dance ~ Gamelan Music ~ Batik Painting ~ ~ Wayang Kulit Puppet Making ~

Perhaps you have a strong interest in Asian art--traditional dance, batik, or wayang puppet making--and are looking for a chance to develop your skills; or possibly you have considered studying Indonesian language or have even taken language courses and are now looking for an exciting immersion experience; or perhaps you are just looking for a meaningful cross-cultural experience but you have no idea of where, or how to go about it. Studying art in Java's cultural center, Yogyakarta, Indonesia is an attractive option to consider, as there are a variety of possibilities for people with various interests and skill levels. Engaging in artistic activity is a superb means of overcoming both social and linguistic barriers and thereby gaining access to the rich culture of one of the world's most dynamic emerging nations.

Indonesia is the fourth largest country in the world by population. It is the southern-most country in Southeast Asia and, encompassing over 7000 islands, it is by far the world's largest archipelago. While the tropical island nation is home to a plethora of cultures, Javanese civilization has held a prominent position in the region for thousands of years. The political and commercial capital of Indonesia is located in Jakarta but the "special district" of Yogyakarta continues to be referred to as the traditional cultural center of Java. Yogyakarta is home to the Kraton, the Sultan's palace and bastion of traditional Javanese culture, as well as a thriving modern arts community. It is not only a safe and enjoyable place to visit but also a terrific place to study art.

As a graduate student in Southeast Asia Studies at Ohio University, I was awarded a travel grant by the United States-Indonesia Society (USINDO) in December of 1998 to spend a month in Yogyakarta researching opportunities for students who are interested in getting involved with Indonesian arts. The compiled information, which includes descriptions, costs, and contact information is available from the Center for Southeast Asia Studies located in Burson House. The primary focus of my research was on dance and batik, but I have also included a bit of information on gamelan music and wayang kulit puppetry. The listing is by no means exhaustive, but I attempted to identify quality experiences and to provide a variety of options. This list is intended to simply share the resources that have been collected, and neither I, Ohio University's Southeast Asia Studies Program, nor USINDO hold any affiliation with any of these programs nor bear any responsibility or liability for their operation.

For a copy of the Yogyakarta Arts Opportunity Booklet, please contact Ohio University's Center for Southeast Asia Studies.

An American woman in batik clothe

Batikpattern.com (c) 2000. Copyright at V. Christianto. All rights reserved.
For problems or questions regarding this web contact [Webmaster].
Last updated: Oct. 5th, 2000.