17 March 2026 – Nuanu, Bali, Indonesia – As the Lebaran holiday begins and Bali welcomes visitors from across the country, Nuanu Creative City presents Nuanu Cultural Week, a ten-day program running from 20 to 29 March 2026. The timing is especially significant for Nuanu. Last year, the launch of its official ticketing system just ahead of Lebaran marked a sharp rise in holiday footfall, signalling strong public interest during the festive period. Building on that momentum, Nuanu is targeting 35,000 visitors between 20 and 29 March 2026.

Held during one of Indonesia’s most significant holiday periods, the program brings together performances, workshops and community activities shaped by Bali’s cultural life and the wider diversity of the archipelago. Set across Nuanu Creative City, the week creates space for gathering, participation and shared experience during a time when people are travelling, reconnecting and spending time together.

Over ten days, the program moves across different traditions and forms, from Kecak and gamelan to Kasidah and Hadrah. These encounters bring different communities and artistic practices into one shared setting, giving visitors the chance to engage with cultural expressions that remain active in everyday life and continue to be carried forward across generations.

“As Balinese, we understand Bali as a place of welcome, but also as a place with a living culture that must continue to be seen, practiced, and respected,” said Ida Ayu Astari Prada, Brand and Communications Director of Nuanu Creative City. “Nuanu Cultural Week was shaped from that perspective, by placing Balinese traditions at the heart of the program while inviting people to encounter the wider cultural diversity of Indonesia in one shared space.”

A central part of the program is Nuanu’s continued support for cultural preservation through the Nuanu Social Fund, which will present a series of youth cultural competitions from 26 to 28 March. Students and young performers from schools and art communities across Bali will take part in competitions featuring Megenjekan, Mejanggeran, Baris dance and Condong dance.

This part of the program places young Balinese performers at the heart of the celebration and creates visibility for traditions that continue to live through practice, discipline, and community participation. By giving children and youth a platform during a major holiday season, the program supports the ongoing transmission of Bali’s artistic heritage in a public and contemporary setting.

Bringing together performers, local communities, and visitors from different backgrounds, Nuanu Cultural Week reflects Nuanu Creative City’s wider commitment to cultural exchange through participation, presence, and connection to place. During Lebaran, that gathering takes on added meaning, shaped by togetherness, movement, and the sharing of traditions across communities.

Open to the public, Nuanu Cultural Week invites visitors to spend the holiday period through a program rooted in Bali, enriched by Indonesia’s diversity, and carried by the communities that keep culture alive

As a creative ecosystem that brings together art, innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, Nuanu Creative City continues to provide a space where diverse ideas and perspectives can grow. Through its various platforms—including art spaces such as Labyrinth Art Gallery—Nuanu creates opportunities for creators to experiment, express their ideas, and engage with the public in broader creative conversations.

This approach is rooted in a commitment to inclusivity. Creative spaces at Nuanu are not only venues for presenting works, but also meeting points for ideas, dialogue, and knowledge exchange between artists and the public. Through various programs, discussions, and direct engagement with audiences, Nuanu seeks to serve as a platform that connects artistic practices with a wider community.

“In a creative ecosystem, women bring essential perspectives—not only through the works they produce, but also through their lived experiences and the way they interpret the world,” said Ida Ayu Astari Prada, Director of Brand and Communications at Nuanu Creative City. “At Nuanu, we want to ensure that creative spaces remain open platforms for diverse voices. When artists are given the space to express their ideas while sharing knowledge with audiences, the resulting ecosystem becomes far more vibrant and relevant.”

In the spirit of International Women’s Day, Nuanu highlights the work of two women artists—Wicitra and Sarita Ibnoe—who are currently presenting their works in the Semburat Bali exhibition at Labyrinth Art Gallery, on view until March 22, 2026. Through distinct artistic practices, both artists offer personal reflections on lived experiences, their environments, and the ways women perceive and respond to the world around them.

Feminine Landscapes and the Rhythm of Nature

Based in Bali with a background in graphic design, Wicitra Pradnyaratih’s artistic practice evolves through visual explorations that combine digital media and acrylic painting. For her, art is a way to respond to her surroundings and cultural context—not only from the perspective of Balinese traditions, but also from the broader cultural influences that shape her worldview.

In her practice, Wicitra often explores the relationship between nature, color, and sound through an audio-visual approach. She constructs what she describes as a feminine landscape—a visual terrain that emphasizes the organic and emotional dimensions of nature.

Through her works presented in Semburat Bali, namely Tideglow and Midnight Bloom, Wicitra reflects on the relationship between time, life cycles, and the quiet forces that exist within nature. In Midnight Bloom, orchid and lily motifs emerge as symbols of resilience and perseverance that grow slowly in the stillness of night. Drawing inspiration from feminist art traditions, floral representations in this work are no longer positioned as passive ornaments associated with stereotypical femininity, but rather as markers of strength, individuality, and the complexity of women’s experiences.

Within the composition, these floral forms are depicted amidst dynamic currents of air and water. Though they appear small and solitary, they remain firmly rooted—independent, enduring, and radiating a quiet strength. At the center of the composition, a pearl-like form symbolizes a core life force that remains hidden yet continues to shine.

For Wicitra, her experience as a woman also shapes the way she views the world and creates her work.

“The issue is not women’s capacity, but the limited access and opportunities that should be open to everyone,” she noted.

She also emphasizes the importance of creative spaces in expanding that access.

“The presence of platforms that provide space for artists to present their work and engage in dialogue with the public is essential. Hopefully, creative spaces like this can continue to grow and reach more artists from diverse backgrounds,” she added.

Weaving Stories, Tracing Journeys

Multidisciplinary artist Sarita Ibnoe, who has been actively creating and exhibiting since 2013, is known for her textile-based practice—particularly weaving. From this medium, her work has expanded into various forms of expression, including installation, performance, and participatory works.

For Sarita, weaving is not merely an artistic technique, but a way of interlacing lived experiences into a visual narrative.

In this exhibition, she presents several works such as Unaccustomed, The New Art Teacher Series – Non-Technical Skills: Gestures and Watercolour #1, Resistance, and Note. These works reflect both her personal journey and her responses to social events she has witnessed.

One of the standout works is Resistance, inspired by waves of resistance movements that took place in Jakarta—social events that, in their course, claimed lives. Through this piece, Sarita offers both reflection and tribute. The use of green and pink symbolizes solidarity and collective strength, marking how, in times of crisis, strength often emerges through togetherness.

As a woman working in the arts, Sarita observes that women’s contributions to the creative ecosystem are becoming increasingly visible and significant. According to her, women are not only present as creators, but also as key drivers across various aspects of the art world.

“Women today are not only present as creators, but also as drivers of the art ecosystem—as curators, researchers, educators, and community connectors,” she explained.

She also underscores the importance of spaces that enable artists to connect and share experiences.

“Spaces like this are important for building community among artists, for sharing stories and supporting one another. When we are connected, the creative ecosystem can grow in a healthier way,” Sarita concluded.

A Creative Ecosystem that Embraces Diverse Perspectives

For Nuanu, building a creative ecosystem goes beyond providing physical space for artistic practice—it also means creating an environment where diverse perspectives can

meet and enrich one another.

“A gallery is not only a place to exhibit works, but also a space to build conversations,” said Samuel David, Gallery Manager of Labyrinth Art Gallery. “We want to ensure that platforms like Labyrinth can present artists from diverse backgrounds and provide space for a wide range of perspectives—including the voices and experiences of women in artistic practice.”

When artists from different backgrounds are given space to share ideas, the creative conversations that emerge become more dynamic and relevant to the evolving social landscape.

Through its ever-evolving ecosystem, Nuanu continues to create space for diverse artistic practices while fostering more inclusive creative dialogue—where multiple voices, including women’s perspectives, can be present and contribute to shaping a forward-moving artistic landscape.

PHOTO Credit: Nuanu Creative City

As a creative ecosystem that brings together art, innovation, and social impact, Nuanu Creative City continues to foster a platform for initiatives emerging from the community. This commitment is realized through the Nuanu Social Fund (NSF), a platform that supports social and cultural programs driven by individuals and local communities across Bali.

The momentum of International Women’s Day serves as a reminder that celebrating women goes beyond recognizing their achievements—it also means creating space for the ideas and initiatives they bring to society.

“The growth of an ecosystem is not solely measured by physical development, but by how ideas and initiatives from surrounding communities are able to flourish. We see many women leading change within their communities, and for Nuanu, it is important to ensure these ideas are given the space to grow and create a wider impact,” said Ida Ayu Astari Prada, Director of Brand and Communications at Nuanu.

From 2023 to 2025, the Nuanu Social Fund has supported 494 social initiatives, 51% of which are led by women as key drivers. These initiatives contribute to strengthening local communities while opening opportunities for women and youth in Tabanan and surrounding areas to engage in social, cultural, and educational activities.

Many of these initiatives stem from individuals responding to the needs of their immediate environment, ranging from creative learning spaces for students to activities that strengthen the community’s connection with local culture.

Creating Creative Spaces for the Younger Generation

One of the initiatives supported by the Nuanu Social Fund comes from Ida Ayu Agung Erlina, commonly known as Dayu, a teacher at SMPN 3 Kediri in Tabanan. She observed that many of her students have a strong interest in creative digital fields such as graphic design and animation, yet lack the space to develop these skills.

Building on this observation, Dayu, together with two fellow teachers, established SECRET (Sempatik Creative Team), a student-led creative team that serves as a platform for students to explore graphic design, comics, and animation.

“Many students actually have great potential in the creative field, but they need a space to experiment and develop their ideas. Through SECRET, we want to provide that opportunity,” said Dayu.

One of their first projects is a school comic titled I GLORY, which tells the story of junior high school characters representing the younger generation of Bali. Through this comic, students not only learn to build visual narratives, but also introduce elements of Balinese culture, from local cuisine to destinations in Beraban Village.

Preserving Cultural Heritage Through Learning Spaces

Another initiative comes from Wulan Asmitha, a Balinese dance practitioner who believes that cultural preservation does not only take place on stage, but also through learning spaces that are open to the community.

With the support of the Nuanu Social Fund, Wulan initiated a Balinese dance workshop that invites participants to learn the movements, meanings, and philosophy behind traditional Balinese dance. Through this initiative, she aims to create a space for the community—particularly younger generations—to reconnect with Balinese cultural heritage, not only as a performance, but as knowledge and practice that can be understood, learned, and passed on.

“Through this workshop, I want to show that Balinese dance does not belong only to performers on stage. It is part of everyday life and can be learned by anyone,” said Wulan.

The workshop is designed as an inclusive learning space, bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds and generations to experience the richness of Balinese culture firsthand.

Supporting Community-Driven Initiatives

The stories of Dayu and Wulan reflect how many community initiatives in Bali begin with individual care for their surroundings—whether through creative education for younger generations or efforts to preserve local cultural heritage.

“Many community leaders start from something very simple—from a concern for their surroundings or a desire to share the knowledge they have,” said Auditya Sari, Head of Nuanu Social Fund. “At Nuanu Social Fund, one of our visions is to support these community leaders so they have the opportunity to expand the impact they create. Seeing how small ideas from communities can grow and benefit many people is one of the most meaningful aspects of running this program.”

Through the Nuanu Social Fund, Nuanu remains committed to supporting community-driven initiatives, creating space for individuals to share knowledge, and opening opportunities for more people to grow together.

The stories of Dayu and Wulan demonstrate that when women are given the space and support to bring their ideas to life, the impact extends beyond direct beneficiaries, strengthening the broader social and cultural ecosystem around them.