The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), together with the Chanum Foundation and the City of Baguio, formally opened the 15th edition of the annual Tam-awan International Arts Festival (TIAF).
This year the three-day affair is guided by the theme, “The Curation Journey: Living Galleries, Telling Stories.”
Arts, heritage, and culture advocate Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles describe curation as “selecting in order to present or to hide – to keep or put away.”
“A curator is also an artist as he creates a context and provide nuance. Curators are the wind beneath each artist’s wing; as every exhibit has its own story. Some artists even curate their exhibits,” she continued.
“Artists hold up a mirror to society. They detect that something is amiss and they articulate the need for reform. Sometimes, just the act of reflection creates the change.”
This edition’s theme underscores the role of curator as a bridge between artist, audience, and context; in guiding narratives, shaping dialogue, and uncovering hidden connections.
It reflects Tam-awan’s commitment to evolving curatorial practices that are responsive, inclusive, and rooted in place.
During the opening ceremonies and “Kapihan sa Baguio” session held at the village’s Ugnayan Gallery premises, the NCCA’s project management division head Renee Talavera pointed out how the TIAF has served as a “living canvas of art communities.”
Talavera also noted that the NCCA is celebrating Museums and Galleries Month this October, as well as Indigenous Peoples Month with the Dayaw Festival in Western Visayas.
“Public art and imprint is a process, and Kublai Milan is celebrated as moment maker with his art showcased in sprawling spaces,” said Lawig Diwa Mindanao Art curator Jeff Bangot. “As curator, it is my task to bridge the collection, the artist, and the audience together – so I give justice to the artworks as an overseer.”
“The artist’s message should be clear and put them across to spectators of the pieces. However, artists need to understand that some of their pieces do not fit into the idea of the curation,” Bangot added.
Situated in Baguio City, Tam-awan Village is a living arts village that blends indigenous Cordilleran architecture, creative residency, and public access to art.
The village was initiated by Chanum Foundation, currently headed by Jordan Mang-osan, with the goal of making arts and culture accessible to a broad public following while fostering connections among artists, communities, and the environment.
Another NCCA executive Dennis Montera called to acknowledge the role of government in supporting artists, seeing this year alone being vibrant with artists mobilization leading to lots of interaction.
“We also see the resiliency of artists, especially with recent disasters,” Montera said, noting the recent earthquake in Cebu and Davao Oriental. “Arts festival create a center of ecology in meeting art, where art is juxtaposed, and where many roles benefit.”
Leandro Tabilog, spokesperson for the Office of the City Mayor of Baguio, said that artists can petition the labor and social welfare departments for livelihood funds to aid them in creative pursuits.
He even quipped that during the TIAF, a “silent night” code is observed where amplified sound is simply turned off by 10 p.m. but discussions still continue.
The 15th Tam-awan International Arts Festival will culminate on Sunday, October 12th in Baguio City. 98 organizations and over 700 artists took part in this year’s edition, but as early as now organizers are looking forward to a bigger turnout next year.