Open Studio Cambodia: Supporting local artists through tours

To create meaningful cross-cultural interactions, Japanese-American Lauren Iida organizes art tours to showcase local talent.

Ethical travel doesn't have to be just about supporting the work of NGOs or charities through donations. It can also be about supporting local artists.

This is one of the reasons Japanese-American Lauren Iida founded Open Studio Cambodia. Iida, who has lived on and off in the Kingdom for the last 10 years, says her goal is to support local artists through profitable rather than charitable activities.

To create meaningful cross-cultural interactions, Iida organizes art tours to showcase local talent.

There are three tours available - a half-day tour in Siem Reap, private tours for longer stays, and a 14-day tour of the art scene in Phnom Penh, Battambang, and Siem Reap.

While charities and NGOs have a rather firm vision of the direction where they want to lead people, Iida aims to make room for the artists to express themselves however they want.

She gives these artists the tools and the space they need to create.

Follow the story at: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/lifestyle-around-ngos/open-studio-cambodia-supporting-local-artists-through-tours