The rise of Mindanao's art scene

Walking through the Mindanao Art Fair in a major shopping mall in Davao City, it is clear that the hundreds of paintings and other artworks reflect the massive increase in interest in the visual arts among Mindanao's 26 million residents.

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Participating in the large exhibit are various art clubs and collectives from the Mindanao provinces, including commercial art galleries featuring local artists, also from outside Mindanao.

The event is a vital part in the island's annual cultural calendar that will likely arouse more interest from art aficionados from outside Mindanao, especially from neighboring ASEAN countries. Interest in art was always strong among island residents, since the wide cultural diversity creates various indigenous forms of expression.

Artistic expressions are a good part of the local economy, since it is a component of the creative industry of any region. Promoting local art and marketing works of art outside the region adds value to a local economy.