Aceh Tamiang, September 11, 2026 – The Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf) initiated the Creative Recovery for Children Program through the Showcase event, Painting Together with Associations and Children, at the Aceh Tamiang Regent’s Tribune. The initiative targets 100 elementary and junior high school students affected by flash floods, aiming to support their psychosocial recovery while introducing the potential of the visual arts and crafts subsectors from an early age.
Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), Teuku Riefky Harsya (right), and a child view a painting during the “Riang dan Kreatif dalam Permainan Gim Papan” program, held as part of the Painting Together with Associations and Children Showcase at the Aceh Tamiang Regent’s Tribune, Aceh, Friday (11/09/2026).
“Our presence here today is in accordance with the President’s directive as part of efforts to empower communities in the aftermath of the disaster. In addition, I would like to express my happiness at being here in Aceh Tamiang. Seeing the cheerful faces of the children before me reminds me of a message: creativity is the brightest light, even in the most difficult times. Today, through painting, we are no longer talking about the remnants of a disaster; we are talking about ‘New Hope,’” said Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, during the official opening of the activity on Friday (11/9).
The uniqueness of the exhibition lies in its use of natural pigments made from mud and dust left behind by the floods as painting materials. This technique visualizes the aesthetic transformation of disaster-related trauma into a series of artworks with artistic value. Through three days of intensive training, 50 elementary school students and 50 junior high school students were accompanied by local artists, professional mentors, and clinical psychologists to express the themes of ‘Resilience’ and ‘New Hope.’
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
“I am happy to hear that the children are using natural pigments from mud and dust left behind by the floods to color these artworks. This sends a powerful message to the world: that the children of Aceh Tamiang are capable of transforming trauma into beauty and building their spirits through art,” said Teuku Riefky.
This initiative demonstrates the commitment to implementing Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 1 of 2026 concerning the Task Force for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRRP) in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra Provinces. Led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) as Chair of the Task Force, the program is orchestrated through synergy among the central government, regional governments, associations, and communities, utilizing affected public spaces such as the Aceh Tamiang Regent’s Tribune as venues for creative activation.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
This initiative is carried out under the Ekraf Peduli ‘Pulih Bersama, Bangkit Berdaya’ movement to restore an economy based on local potential, which can subsequently be replicated in other regions. The Ministry of Creative Economy has prepared a total of 103 activities targeting 5,788 beneficiaries. As of mid-September 2026, 30 activities have been implemented, facilitating 2,216 participants, while the remaining 73 activities, targeting 3,572 participants, will be carried out gradually through the end of the year.
“The presence of the Ministry of Creative Economy provides an energy boost to revive hope and rebuild the regional economy in the aftermath of the disaster through collaboration and human resource development based on local wisdom. Let us maximize and make use of this opportunity to gain knowledge, build networks, and make this training a stepping stone toward rebuilding a resilient and determined community,” said Aceh Tamiang Regent Armia Pahmi.
The program series began with the Painting Bootcamp on August 27–29, 2026, followed by Local Showcase I on September 11–13, 2026, featuring an exhibition of artworks, coloring sessions, and educational storytelling, and followed by Showcase II in the second week of September. The exhibition concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation and the announcement of the 10 most inspiring works selected through a curation process. The best works will be exhibited in Jakarta and developed into value-added creative economy derivative products, such as art prints and merchandise.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
“I am very happy to have participated in this activity. My painting depicts how the disaster reminded people of the importance of the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika through mutual cooperation and concern for one another, helping each other and strengthening bonds of brotherhood. This activity surprised me because I realized that I could actually paint. Alhamdulillah, my work as a second-year junior high school student was selected as one of the most inspiring works and will be displayed in Jakarta. After this, I want to paint more often,” said participant Yumna Syakira.
The activity was attended by Chairperson of the Aceh Tamiang Regional House of Representatives (DPRK), Fadhlon; Aceh Tamiang Regional Secretary, Syuibun Anwar; Head of the Aceh Tamiang Regency Education and Culture Office, Syamsul Rizal; Head of the Aceh Tamiang Regency Dayah Education Office, Ibnu Azis; and Acting Head of the Aceh Tamiang Regency Tourism, Youth and Sports Office, Muhammad Farij.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Creative Economy was accompanied by Deputy for Digital Creativity and Technology, M. Neil El Himam; Special Staff to the Minister for Strategic and Interinstitutional Affairs, Rian Firmansyah; Director of Visual Arts and Performing Arts, Dadam Mahdar; Director of Games, Luat Sihombing; Director of Infrastructure Facilitation, Fahmy Akmal; and Minister’s Expert Staff for Media Issues and Public Opinion, Hasbil Mustaqim Lubis.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
