“Danuphorn” Opens “ART DNA HUB” with NRCT Support to Establish a Visual Arts Expert and Knowledge Center, Elevating Thailand’s Visual Arts Intellectual Capital to the International Stage
17 July 2026
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On July 18, 2026, Mr. Danuphorn Punnakanta, Vice Minister for Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), presided over the opening ceremony and delivered a special keynote address at the ART DNA HUB: Hub of Visual Arts Experts. The event was held under the concept of "Decoding Art, Cross-Generational Transmission, Building People, Creating Innovation." Attendees included Professor Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of MHESI; Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT); Professor Dr. Panchat Inkhong, ART DNA HUB Center Manager; Professor Dr. Krischonme Bhumkittipitch, Vice President of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi; and Professor Emeritus Preecha Thaothong, National Artist in Visual Arts. They were joined by other National Artists, executives from MHESI and NRCT, and academics at ICONSIAM in Bangkok. Mr. Danuphorn Punnakanta, Vice Minister for Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, stated in his keynote address that MHESI prioritizes the development of a high-performance workforce, knowledge creation, and innovation, while leveraging the country’s cultural capital to generate economic and social value. This is achieved through the integration of art, research, technology, and innovation. He noted that the ART DNA HUB project serves as an essential model for gathering and transferring knowledge from National Artists and distinguished experts through an “Art Decoding” process to pass this knowledge on to the new generation. This involves the use of tools such as the Art DNA Map and Art DNA Canvas, along with the development of databases and digital platforms to expand learning opportunities and provide comprehensive access to artistic knowledge. MHESI expects the ART DNA HUB to become the nation’s visual arts knowledge center, an interdisciplinary learning and exchange space, and a crucial mechanism for developing the potential of Thai arts and cultural professionals to an international level. It also aims to build strong collaborative networks to preserve arts and cultural heritage, foster innovation, and drive the country toward sustainable development. Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of MHESI, stated that the ministry’s policy aims to promote the development of high-performance personnel, alongside knowledge creation and innovation, while building upon cultural capital to sustainably generate economic and social value. He pointed out that the ART DNA HUB is a vital mechanism for collecting, transferring, and preserving knowledge from expert artists through the “Art Decoding” process. This knowledge will be developed into a knowledge base that can be further built upon to create artistic innovations in the future. Furthermore, the development of art databases and digital platforms aligns with the policy of using technology to expand learning opportunities for all groups of citizens. It is expected that the ART DNA HUB will serve as the country’s visual arts knowledge center and a major driving force in elevating the potential of Thai artists to the international stage. Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of NRCT, stated that Thailand possesses visual artists and experts with invaluable knowledge and experience, which represent significant intellectual and cultural capital for the country. However, in the past, much of this knowledge remained with individuals and was not systematically collected, transferred, or developed. Therefore, NRCT supported the establishment of the ART DNA HUB to serve as a mechanism for gathering experts, connecting networks, and concretely developing an artistic knowledge transfer system. It aims to manage knowledge and develop digital databases and learning platforms, such as a Virtual Gallery and Virtual Exhibition, to provide emerging artists, students, researchers, and the general public with continued access to this knowledge and opportunities to build upon it. Moreover, it aims to create a learning ecosystem and forge collaborations both domestically and internationally to elevate cultural capital, develop arts personnel, and extend outcomes into research, innovation, and the creative industry. Prof. Dr. Panchat Inkhong, Manager of the ART DNA HUB, stated that the project originated from the intention to systematically collect and transfer the knowledge, experience, and creative processes of expert artists under the concept of “Decoding Art, Cross-Generational Transmission, Building People, Creating Innovation.” The goal is to develop the ART DNA HUB into the country’s visual arts learning center through the creation of digital databases, knowledge repositories, and expert networks. This provides equal opportunities for artists, teachers, students, researchers, and the public to access artistic knowledge. It also seeks to build upon cultural capital to foster innovation, elevate Thai art to the global stage, and build a learning ecosystem that connects artists of all ages to jointly preserve and develop the nation’s arts and cultural heritage. Prof. Dr. Krischonme Bhumkittipitch, Vice President of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, welcomed the attendees and expressed his delight that all sectors have worked collaboratively to drive the ART DNA HUB project with support from NRCT. The project systematically gathers knowledge from National Artists and distinguished experts, transferring it to the new generation through a digital knowledge repository system. This will contribute to the preservation, continuation, and further development of cultural capital, generating educational, social, and creative economic value, as well as enhancing the country’s Soft Power. He also thanked government agencies, the education sector, artists, collaborative networks, and all stakeholders involved in making the project and this event a success. |
During the event, the ART DNA HUB: Hub of Visual Arts Experts was officially launched. The event showcased the expert database system, digital knowledge repository, Art DNA Map and Art DNA Canvas tools, and visual arts learning platforms designed to connect collaborative networks among artists, academics, educational institutions, government agencies, and the private sector. This serves as a crucial foundation for advancing knowledge, developing personnel potential, extending cultural capital into innovation, and sustainably advancing Thai art toward greater international recognition. The ART DNA HUB exhibition is open to the public from now until August 14, 2026, on the 8th floor of ICONSIAM, Bangkok.
