Juniper
Children from NASOM proudly showcase their hand-coloured cardboard bears during the launch of Artsense Carnival 2026, highlighting the carnival’s focus on creativity, inclusion and self-expression through art
A new creative initiative is placing children at the heart of Malaysia’s cultural and tourism narrative, with Artsense Carnival 2026: Colours of Malaysia using art to encourage a deeper appreciation of the country’s heritage, destinations and identity.
The carnival, co-organised with Megah Rise Mall, gives children a platform to showcase their interpretations of Malaysia, with 100 per cent of its creative direction driven by their artwork and ideas. Supported by Artsense teachers and the organising team, it encourages families to discover Malaysia’s diverse culture, traditions and tourism offerings driven by a collaborative effort between Artsense Edu Sdn Bhd (Artsense) and Tourism Selangor Sdn Bhd (Tourism Selangor).
As part of the carnival, JCI Petaling Jaya is collaborating with Artsense on a drawing and colouring competition themed “Malaysia Through Your Eyes”, bringing together 100 young participants to express what Malaysia means to them through art.
According to Shawn Yap Chun Siong, Founder and Director of Artsense, the carnival aims to give children a platform to express their understanding of Malaysia through art.
“Artsense Carnival is about giving children a platform to share their creativity and their perspective of Malaysia. Through their artwork, we hope they can discover and express the culture, places and stories that make our country unique,” said Shawn.
Taking place in conjunction with Malaysia’s National Day celebrations, the carnival invites children to explore the country’s culture, heritage and identity through art. This vision is supported by Tourism Selangor as the Strategic Partner, providing advisory, marketing, and promotional support across tourism, arts, and culture.
Chua Yee Ling, CEO of Tourism Selangor, said the collaboration offers a fresh approach to promoting Selangor’s tourism by connecting families and younger audiences with the state’s cultural and tourism offerings.
“Tourism is not only about visiting places; it is also about understanding the stories, culture, heritage and identity behind those places. Through Artsense Carnival: Colours of Malaysia, we see an opportunity to present Selangor and Malaysia through the eyes of our younger generation, while encouraging families to discover and appreciate the destinations within their own state,” said Chua.
Co-organised by Megah Rise Mall, the carnival provides a community platform that brings children and families together through art, culture and creative activities. Through the collaboration, the mall serves as an accessible space for the community to connect and participate in activities inspired by Malaysia’s culture, heritage and identity.
The collaboration also aligns with the broader Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, which seeks to showcase Malaysia’s destinations and cultural heritage. By engaging children and families through art, the organisers hope to encourage greater appreciation of local destinations and inspire Malaysians to explore the cultural and tourism offerings within their own country.
Supporting this wider effort are partners from the tourism and community sectors, including Golden Destination (GD), the carnival’s Travel Partner. GD is supporting Artsense teachers in preparing the Sun Bear Workshop, while working alongside Artsense Studio to guide and support children from the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) during the art activities. Its CSR team will also support the event and assist with on-site activities.
Beyond children’s artwork, the carnival will provide opportunities for local artists and creative entrepreneurs to showcase their work. NASOM will also feature artwork from the autism community as part of Artsense Studio’s CSR efforts, creating a more inclusive platform for children, families and the creative community to connect through art and Malaysian culture.
Starting in Selangor, the partnership aims to lay the groundwork for Artsense Carnival to develop into an annual nationwide platform celebrating Malaysia’s diversity, with future editions targeting Melaka, Johor and Penang.
Through the initiative, Artsense hopes to give the next generation a meaningful role in telling Malaysia’s story, through their creativity, imagination and unique perspective of the country they call home.
Organisers and Collaborating Partners:
- Main Organizer: Artsense
- Co-organizer: Megah Rise Mall
- Supporting Partner: Tourism Malaysia & Tourism Selangor
- Travel Partner: Golden Destinations
- Charity Partner: National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM)
- Official Publicist: Global Creative & Media Agency (GCMA)
- Printing Partner: Signmastr Advertising
- Strategic Partners: Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), Malaysia Digital Chamber of Commerce (MDCC), Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA), Persatuan Usahawan Maju Malaysia (PUMM), Junior Chamber International Petaling Jaya (JCI PJ), and Malaysia Fashion, Modeling, and Pageant Association (MFMPA).
- Media Partners: A One School and Pamame
- Performance Partners: Dance Zone Performing Arts Academy, DJs Playground, and ChampsMan Academy
- Collaboration Partners: Famous Amos, Fei Fei Crab Restaurant, Face Bar, Zoey’s Homemade, Tea’Sane, KS Innovative, and Artopus
