About Us
Kuala Lumpur is the 'confluence'
Muara Arts is a not-for-profit initiative by Creador Foundation.
Located at the confluence of the Gombak and Klang Rivers, where Kuala Lumpur was founded, the public gallery, which focuses on Malaysian and Southeast Asian art, will open on 1 November 2026 and will be accompanied by its counterpart, a performing arts theatre, in 2029.
Muara, the Malay word for estuary or river mouth, embodies our vision to be where art, creativity and ideas come together.
Whether emerging or established, Muara Arts is committed to championing artists. It is part of a wider cultural revitalisation project of the area around Medan Pasar, a historic market square. This includes: a public art gallery, theatre, outdoor events, cafes, restaurants, shops and other exciting cultural amenities.
Gallery
Building
The Muara Arts Gallery is a not-for-profit public art gallery involving the adaptive reuse of six Art Deco shophouses dating from the 1930s and spans approximately 16,000 square feet. The Gallery, designed by Dr. Tan LM Architect and Sean Carpenter of Linear Vista, retains its historic character while providing museum-standard facilities.
Mission
Through a dynamic and inclusive programme of exhibitions, learning and publications, Muara Arts celebrates modern and contemporary art from Southeast Asia to inspire, engage and connect artists and audiences across the region and beyond.
The public gallery programme provides creative and professional development, opportunities to build connections locally and internationally, support for the growth of artists, new audiences, and a dynamic arts ecosystem.
Theatre
Building
Muara Arts Theatre is presently under construction. It is a not-for-profit performing arts centre designed by Foster + Partners with Malaysian practice Veritas and theatre specialists Stage Right. Its facade is an ode to the resource that built the city: tin. Look forward to its intimate 345-seat proscenium auditorium and 190-seat black box, rehearsal spaces and a two-storey art gallery.
Mission
Muara Arts Theatre exists to bring together the cultures, languages and communities that have always met at the heart of Kuala Lumpur, a place where the stories of contemporary Malaysia are told and the artists of the future are made.
We invest in artists over time, work across languages and build audiences from the ground up: connecting artists and communities to develop a relationship with the theatre that lasts a lifetime.
Coming in 2029
Muara Arts Team
Founders
Shanthi Kandiah
Brahmal Vasudevan
Consultant Artistic Director
Lydia Yee
Exhibitions
Juliana Abdul Rahim
Zhen Feng, Ang
Nadia Shakiera
Facilities and Operations
Aiman Yuslam
FOH and Docents Programme
Manjeet Dhillon (Consultant)
Audrey Chin
Administration & Finance
Carolina Cheah
Li Lee, Lim
Kai Shen, Chua
Hidayah Kamal
Marketing and Communications
Yien Yien, Chin
Samantha Lim
Partnerships
Agnesse Yap
Security
Sabrun bin Ujang
Shahreza bin Abdul Latiff
Maintenance
Krishnaraj Kumar
Contact Us
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