Continue Learning in the KL’s Creative Scene Without Breaking the Bank

In this article, I share personal aspects of consideration before deciding what to pursue, along with the creative process of learning and its outcome for me. A key consideration here is affordability.

Remember that poetry workshop journey from Part One? In that piece, I discuss in-depth the experience of joining a week-long workshop for a medium I‘ve never professionally trained in: literature. Here, let's dive deeper into Part Two: Limitations and Considerations of Learning Something New.

Knowing Your Restrictions: How Much Can You Afford?

Photograph by Catherhea during the launch of Draw Your Way Home. 

Let’s not assume everyone can afford the same amount - and we need to talk about this more openly. A limited budget can make it tough to find ways to learn or expensive to connect with a community, to explore a practice.

Following the age-old personal financial goal of 50% Needs, 20% Savings, and 30% Wants can feel restrictive when it comes to learning. It's like saying 'I want a Cendol' or 'I want a Ramli burger' – these are desires, but learning for me, is a necessity. However, I don't want to frame it as a chore – it's about enrichment!

It’s life-long.

Spending Money on Art

A lot of financial advice seems recycled between different experts. The only exception I've found is Julian Ng's interview on The Ezra Zaid Project podcast, where he discussed the concept of 'How Much Money is Enough.'

This stands out because it offers a unique perspective on managing finances that centres our evaluation of what’s important. We’re not taught to match our finances to our value system. And hopefully, in the coming articles, I would like to explore what that means to me as a Malaysian creative and a feminist.

For example, I never used to hold myself back while buying books, because my logic is that - if it’s going to enrich me then it’s worth the price tag! And good books, upskilling workshops and courses can be expensive.

Photograph by Pavithrah during our bi-monthly poetry event, Words Worth in Rumah Attap Library. 

Lately, I’ve stopped buying books. I still have many to read in my little library. This encourages me to return to the subjects I was previously interested in (albeit years ago!) and re-reading older titles with a new frame of mind is equally as enriching. Because I’m buying books with even more intentionality than before, I find myself valuing my books a lot more too.

Our local libraries unfortunately aren’t the most exciting - but I go there once in a while, just to get a dose of being overwhelmed by freely available books, before I feel the need to buy. And I find that the size of the library is merely an illusion, there are so many better books in the tiny Langkawi library as compared to the KL’s massive structure.

Happy Boy visiting an Art Gallery in KL to help sustain his self-learning habits.

How to Learn New Art Forms Without Spending Money?

Of course, there are plenty of online courses available for free. But it can lack the human experience of meeting new people in your cohort. Motivation might be low to complete the course. So I like to keep a look out for subsidized programs by various local organizations.

I look for a history of good work by the organization, not just brand recognition. If you aren’t sure about their efficiency and accountability, look up who runs the show behind the scenes and ask around. A simple Google search would often show a digital footprint to follow.

Subsidized Creative & Digital Courses

While I'm drawn to courses in cybersecurity and data science to complement my digital strategy experience and its increasing job opportunities, the curriculum seems dry. There are several free options offered by MDEC, although the dashboard can be confusing and their email responses about the program are really slow.

I completed the Creative Entrepreneurship program in 2021 which continues to significantly impact my business practices. While I'm open to future opportunities, right now I'm focused on implementing these learnings and not quite ready to dive into another program.

For now, I prefer to go for workshops, rather than attend courses because the commitment is lower in terms of time as well as fees.

I did enjoy going to the Studio Mastery Workshop at Fourth Creators Studio. For a very reasonable rate of RM50, they made learning the DLSR much less intimidating and approached complex ideas in simple steps. Below is Kevin Bathman, Creative Producer for Project Future Malaysia’s insights after attending the creative workshop:

After attending the Studio Mastery Workshop, I learned invaluable insights that have enhanced my skills in the arts and community sector. The workshop provided practical knowledge and hands-on experience, particularly in our digital landscape today.

Considering the personalized nature of the training, I believe these workshops offer excellent value for money, particularly for individuals and organisations in the arts and social impact sector seeking to refine their skills in shooting digital videos and learning about cameras, production skills and scripting.

Developing Your Personalized Curriculum

Posted by The Creative Independant

Other recent workshops I’ve attended include Investigating Rainforest Issues in Malaysia by Pulitzer Prize, Make It Right Movement’s Grant Writing for Social Cause, Proposals for the Feminine Economy, the Introduction to Fitzmaurice Voicework and Master Your Taxes Webinar hosted by The Simple Sum.

Some of them are free, and some are supported by art patrons.

It is obvious I have a varied interest, and it does feel great that I don’t have to exercise tunnel vision in my interests. This is one of the leverages of being independent. I recall in my first corporate role, I wanted to join a public speaking competition for young adults - and my boss then, said I must be grateful for being allowed to participate.

Do we sign away our interests simply because we have a job?

Artistic Progress Isn't Pretty

In the spirit of trying something new, I took up a challenge. In 2022, there was an open call for a dance performance. I love dancing as a hobby, but I’m not trained in the art form. I was enticed by the handsome payment, as well as the chance to perform in public. I gathered courage attended the audition and got selected against professionally trained dancers!

The choreographer was looking for a body movement artist. Although I didn’t have the background for it; he was willing to train me for additional days leading up to the show day.

Both of us were taking risks.

We both failed miserably.

Photography by Ee Han during an impromtu dance session at Kulit Baru’s retrospective art exhibition. 

The experience left a deeper mark than I cared to acknowledge. The mismatch between teaching styles and my learning needs wasn't the only issue. We later clarified it, but a realization struck. There are some lines I won't cross, not for the sake of a career. And respect isn’t negotiable.

Leave Space for Surprises

Two years later, learning the algorithm, Touch Me Hold Me Let Me Go by Vancouver-based dancer, choreographer & facilitator Lee Su-Feh in Five Arts Centre was more aligned for me. Su-Feh was gentle, and firm. She embodied her work. It is important for me that a leader embrace their teaching philosophies. With Su-Feh, I felt like I received tools which would provide me strong roots to practice movement in relationship with gravity.

So always leave room for things to go wrong, especially if you’re trying a new art form for the first time. Or if you have been on your own and trying to connect with a new mentor. It’s okay for the practice to break down and fall apart. It is not the end of the world.

Surprise sunsets witnessing are the best. 

However do note that generally, I am someone who sees through things until the end, I had to tell myself that it’s okay to quit. Especially in a working relationship if you have given your best and it’s not working out. For you, it might be finding a way to stay persistent. Reflect, find what you require to move ahead in your form of art and then reach out to find the appropriate mentor / partner / community to help you fulfill that need.

Time Investment to Develop New Creative Skills

We know practice makes progress, but how much practice?

My pro tip: If you are considering any courses, make sure you can afford to drop a client / project to give you enough room to study at your own pace and do your homework. Even with workshops, I had to dedicate my weekends, and even work till midnight on weekdays.

Learning develops new neurons in our brains, and it needs energy to process. I find that it is best to give the learning experience breathing room amidst my schedule so that I can absorb what is being taught - rather than being dazed through the whole process. Active learning is more fruitful for all parties involved!

Workshop I conducted last year on self-love. 

Buying Equipment To Encourage Practice

A dear friend was teaching yoga and I felt like this would be my opportunity to pick it up. I found myself failing in my commitment to daily practice. Eventually, it boiled down to me not wanting to spend money on a yoga mat. Every time I practised on my rug and it slipped, it became a mental excuse for why it was dangerous for me to practice without the “right” tools.

I might eventually buy a mat. It will be good to stretch! But it isn’t a priority at the moment. And I do not want another purchase that collects dust in the corner of my home.

I had two swim goggles before this, one I bought from a fitness store for RM50 and another handed me down by a friend. Both didn’t work and left me with a headache. So I was swimming without goggles for the past few years. Until recently I started seeing blurred vision after spending too much time in the pool. I found a pair in Carousell for RM20 (including delivery) and is the best purchase I’ve made!

The smallest addition to my routine makes a big change. Now I pretend I’m a mermaid with superpower vision underwater!

Poonguzhali, the boatwoman from Sri Lanka in Ponniyin Selvan is the kind of swim

Least Amount of Effort but Prioritize Consistency

I’ve decided to focus on food and nutrition as my fitness basics. That looks like buying groceries frequently, learning new recipes, and practising time-saving techniques in the kitchen. Every week I try one new vegetable and figure out ways to add it to my usual routine. For the first time, I bought a whole chicken and learnt how to marinate it according to portions. I save two times more with the cost! However, it does require more prep time but it quickens my day-to-day cooking speed.

Otherwise, I show up for myself on my weekly swim with an occasional mix of jogging, hiking and dancing. I’ve been watching YouTube for tips to improve my form. And it’s a rewarding experience that every time I jump into the pool, I can pick up little differences in my technique - rather than just slapping away mindlessly while treading water.

Making kolam in Publika 2016. 

Rekindling the Spark

Perhaps the answer lies not in forcing myself into a new mold, but in finding ways to rekindle the spark that fueled my exploration in my twenties. Therefore, deciding deliberately to stay on course (not trying on too many new formats) in my creative expression is my way of digging deeper. Rabbit holes.

Adventure can be experienced in the every day – in mastering a new roasted pumpkin recipe, oiling my body while reciting self-assuring thoughts and improving my strokes so I can swim with more confidence. The underlying sentiment is that I do not let my lack of financial stability hinder my progress to learn and experience growth, even if it happens within the familiar walls of my home.

Photograph credit to Christoper Aaron Gnanasundar.

Read Part One of this article: Reframing my limitations on the idea of learning, where I share my experience joining a poetry workshop. The 5-days workshop challenged my voice and encouraged me to explore poetic devices such as metaphor, rhythm, imagery, and stage performance, culminating in a public showcase. This article speaks more about my creative limitations as opposed to my financial mindset as explored here.