ANALYZING TECHNOLOGICAL ADAPTATION NEEDS OF VISUAL ART ORGANIZATIONS IN KELANTAN THROUGH A CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY LENS

Abstract

This concept paper discusses the need for technological adaptation in visual art organizations through the theoretical framework of Culture in, for, and as Sustainable Development proposed by Dessein, Soini, Fairclough, and Horlings in 2015. While digital technologies such as virtual exhibitions, online marketing, and digital archiving have expanded access and continuity in the arts, they also pose challenges for organizations in culturally rooted contexts such as Kelantan, Malaysia. Existing studies on adaptation in the creative industries often focus on innovation, organizational management, or the creative economy, but give limited attention to culture as the foundation of sustainability. This paper argues that culture should be positioned not as a supplementary element but as the center of sustainable development in the arts. By employing the three dimensions of the framework; culture-in (culture as a fundamental component), culture-for (culture as a driver of development), and culture-as (culture as the very framework of development), this paper provides a conceptual lens to analyze the technological adaptation needs of local visual art organizations. The discussion highlights the importance of heritage preservation, the mobilization of culture for economic and social purposes, and the alignment of innovation with local identity. This framework also offers practical implications for policy, strategy, and future research.