![](https://www.gov.mo/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/07/2_IC0106072015.jpg)
The 27th Macao Arts Festival (MAF), organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), will be held in May next year. In order to promote the development of local arts, IC invites all registered local associations and individual artists to submit proposals until 11 September. Selected works will be included in next year’s MAF programme. The MAF’s main objectives are the “dissemination of traditional Chinese culture, the introduction of prominent works from all over the world and the promotion of the development of local arts”, offering the population, since its creation, a variety of performances and exhibitions, enriching the city’s cultural life and, at the same time, giving local performing arts a display and exchange platform. All local artists as well as local art associations are invited to present their proposals of programmes. Programmes’ categories include theatre, dance, music, and children’s shows, among others, without restrictions to performance methods. Proposed projects can be original works or works that have been previously staged. Additionally, in order for these to be in tandem with the theme of this edition of the MAF, as well as to strengthen the ties with Macao, productions inspired by local literary works, Shakespeare’s works or Chinese opera will be first and foremost taken into account of the 27th MAF. Interested local artists or local associations registered at the Identification Services Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. should submit detailed proposals including the concept behind the work and the performance’s content, the team’s brief introduction, set design plan and equipment requirements, budget estimate as well as any additional information regarding the project. Proposals should be submitted by 5.30pm on 11 September to the Cultural Events Department, located at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building, in an envelope marked ‘Submission of local performances’ proposals for the 27th Macao Arts Festival’. During the selection process, applicants may be required to attend an interview. For further details on the application regulations, please visit the Cultural Affairs Bureau website at www.icm.gov.mo or contact Mr. Chong (83996624;skchong@icm.gov.mo) / Mr. Lou (83996625;cklou@icm.gov.mo), during office hours.