Tam-awan Village plays host to a convergence of local and international level of talent, as the 15th Tam-Awan International Arts Festival (TIAF) officially opens today, October 10 -12, 2025, organized by Chanum Foundation Incorporated and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts themed “The Curation Journey: Living Galleries, Telling stories, “Aiming to redefine the role of exhibition spaces in preserving Philippine arts and culture.
The 15th TIAF’s objective is to highlight the importance of gallery curation not merely as a display function, but as a critical form of storytelling and heritage preservation, stressing a well-curated show serves as a vital vessel to nurture and empower artists, strengthening the symbiotic relationship between the creator and the exhibition manager.
Planning for the large-scale event, which is adopted as a special project by the NCCA Committee on Arts and Galleries, aims of bringing together galleries, artists, and curators to exchange best practices and establish a regional network of art groups, opening up new opportunities for registered participants.
The traditional Cordillera huts within the Tam-awan Village is transformed into “living galleries,” ready to house a diverse range of visual and performance art, the goal is for all attendees to gain a platform to exchange best practices on curatorship, gallery management, and artist management, facilitating networking and artistic alliances between regions.
Throughout the week, attendees—comprising artists, curators, gallery owners, and art enthusiasts—will engage in focused discussions. Key activities include major exhibitions, collaborative engagement sessions, and cross-border exchanges, all designed to encourage artistic freedom of expression while honoring cultural heritage.
The Chanum Foundation anticipates the festival to increase in the audience’s appreciation and understanding of the entire arts industry and ultimately, a shared experiences during the festival to instill a renewed sense of community and strengthen sustainability in arts, heritage and culture in the industry of galleries globally. Maria Elena Catajan