A program that allows students to learn from the country's maestros in arts has been launched by the Culture and Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry.

The success of last year’s "Belajar bersama Maestro" (Learning with Maestro) program prompted the ministry to repeat it this year.

The ministry’s director of arts, Endang Caturwati, said, “Any high school [SMA] or vocational school [SMK] students are welcome to apply online, as long as it fits their talents and interests.”

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In 2015, the committee invited a number of maestros in arts, namely sculptor Nyoman Nuarta, musicians Gilang Ramadhan and Dwiki Dharmawan, dance maestro Didik Ninik Thowok and painter Nasirun.

This year, the maestros involved are Sundari Soekotjo, Amaq Raya, Sirajul Huda, Nano Riantiarno, I Made Sidia, Ni Ketut Arini, Temu Misti, Tom Ibnur, Djaduk Ferianto and Putu Sutawijaya.

Endang told kompas.com, “We want to develop and add to students’ outlook toward culture, make them absorb the knowledge directly from the maestros so they appreciate the creation process of each maestro. This will motivate them to pursue achievements in the arts, which will generally form the nation’s character.”

Participants will be appointed by their own schools with recommendation letters from each school’s principal.

(Read also: Djaduk Ferianto: Building imagination)

There are already 143 applications received to date for the program. However, the ministry is still inviting more students to participate.

The application process started on April 20.

Selected participants will be announced from June 16 to 30 with an initial course starting on July 18. The maestro program will officially start on July 19 and end on July 27.  

The students will be implementing what they learned in a show and exhibition on July 29 in Yogyakarta.

More information about the Learn with Maestro program is available at bbm.kemdikbud.go.id. (asw)