Local Art Communities as Cultural Sphere for Preventing Radicalism

Abstract

This article aims to describe the strategic contribution of the art community as a cultural space to foster the creativity of young people and dynamize the cultural process and be an alternative to prevent the growth of radicalism in Indonesia. Radicalism is an issue which is quite worrying for the Indonesian people because it may damage the building of multicultural nationality as mandated by the constitution. The government has given large funds to finance programs to prevent radicalism and deradicalization of those already exposed. Unfortunately, the central government has not yet placed a cultural approach as a strategic part of the program. Using field data from in-depth interviews with artists and participant observations in Banyuwangi and Ponorogo, East Java, Indonesia, I will describe the role and strategic contribution of the art community that accommodates young people in preventing the growth of radicalism through cultural creativity. Cultural creativity which includes routine training, creation of works, and art performances can be a creative force that accustoms young members of the art community to imagination and productive activities for life. Of course, artistic creativity is in contrast to the teachings of agents of radicalism who want confrontational resistance to state institutions that are deemed incompatible with their understanding. Thus, the Indonesian government should pay more attention to the efforts of young people to foster arts communities in the area.