Central Group Launches deCentral: A New Initiative to Empower Thai Artists
The social enterprise deCentral will support artists through grant programs and exhibitions, aiming to enhance the Thai art scene.
Central Group has announced the launch of 'deCentral', a social enterprise dedicated to promoting the arts in Thailand.
This initiative, which is set to open at the end of 2026 in two locations—Bangkok and Chiang Mai—aims to curate exhibitions, commission artworks, and offer educational programs while fostering cross-industry collaborations.
Punn Chirakiti, co-founder and co-executive director of strategy at deCentral, emphasized the significance of art and the necessity of empowering artists to realize their full potential.
The organization is committed to advancing the Thai art sector and has introduced an Artwork Production Grant programme to support both emerging and established Thai artists.
The Production Grant programme is designed to assist artists in creating new works that engage with contemporary themes relevant to current social realities.
This initiative seeks to raise awareness of the critical role that artists play in reflecting contemporary life.
Each grant will be valued at 150,000 baht, with a total of nine grants available under specific terms and conditions.
Selected artworks funded through this programme will be exhibited at deCentral, providing opportunities for art lovers, collectors, curators, and international audiences to appreciate diverse stories rooted in various contexts from across Thailand.
The call for applications is open to artists nationwide and will close on June 30. The selected recipients of the grants will be announced on September 15. More information and application instructions can be found at the deCentral website.
This initiative, which is set to open at the end of 2026 in two locations—Bangkok and Chiang Mai—aims to curate exhibitions, commission artworks, and offer educational programs while fostering cross-industry collaborations.
Punn Chirakiti, co-founder and co-executive director of strategy at deCentral, emphasized the significance of art and the necessity of empowering artists to realize their full potential.
The organization is committed to advancing the Thai art sector and has introduced an Artwork Production Grant programme to support both emerging and established Thai artists.
The Production Grant programme is designed to assist artists in creating new works that engage with contemporary themes relevant to current social realities.
This initiative seeks to raise awareness of the critical role that artists play in reflecting contemporary life.
Each grant will be valued at 150,000 baht, with a total of nine grants available under specific terms and conditions.
Selected artworks funded through this programme will be exhibited at deCentral, providing opportunities for art lovers, collectors, curators, and international audiences to appreciate diverse stories rooted in various contexts from across Thailand.
The call for applications is open to artists nationwide and will close on June 30. The selected recipients of the grants will be announced on September 15. More information and application instructions can be found at the deCentral website.
