Jakarta, September 18, 2026 – Deputy Minister of Creative Economy/Deputy Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Deputy Minister of Ekraf), Irene Umar, expressed her appreciation for the Jakarta International Photo Festival (JIPFest) 2026, which further strengthens photography as one of the strategic subsectors within the creative ecosystem. Irene also noted that JIPFest is increasingly introducing Indonesia to the world.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy/Deputy Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), Irene Umar (left), observes a photographic work at the Jakarta International Photo Festival (JIPFest) 2026 exhibition at Trisno Soemardjo Building, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jakarta, Friday (18/09/2026).
“JIPFest demonstrates that the photography subsector is not merely about producing images, but also about photographers leaving tangible traces by building stories, documenting change, and presenting Indonesia’s resilience from a global perspective. The government continues to ensure that talent in the photography subsector has space to grow, build networks, and participate broadly in order to gain access to the creative industry,” said the Deputy Minister during her visit to JIPFest 2026 at Trisno Soemardjo Building, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Friday (18/9).
Held from September 11–20, 2026, JIPFest carries the theme Resilience as a reflection of the ability of individuals and communities to endure, adapt, and build hope amid various changes. The 10-day exhibition, featuring aesthetic exhibition spaces, presents more than 50 photography, installation, and multimedia projects by collaborators from 21 countries.
A total of 52 photographers, artists, speakers, and practitioners from various disciplines are participating in 29 engaging programs that bring diverse stories into a global framework, highlighting people’s ability to face uncertainty, adapt to change, maintain hope, build solidarity, and find new ways to continue growing. The Ministry of Creative Economy’s support for JIPFest 2026 also follows up on the audience held on August 4, 2026, aimed at encouraging local photographers to enter global markets.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
“We see JIPFest as a platform that can bring together various elements of the creative economy ecosystem. Going forward, collaboration with other subsectors needs to continue expanding so that public experiences become stronger while creating new economic opportunities for photographers and creative workers. The government wants creative economy talent not to stop at the ability to produce works, but also to have access to knowledge, professional networks, technology, and markets,” said the Deputy Minister.
BPS data for August 2025 recorded that the photography subsector employed 182,432 workers. Interestingly, photography is the creative economy subsector with the highest proportion of Generation Z workers, reaching 37.69 percent. This data demonstrates the strong involvement of young people in the development of Indonesia’s photography ecosystem.
Through the JIPFest Open Call 2026, curators Chelsea Chua from Singapore and Yoppy Pieter from Indonesia selected 22 photography projects from 19 countries out of 408 proposals submitted by practitioners from 58 countries. The selected projects showcase diverse personal and collective experiences in navigating uncertain circumstances, while broadening the understanding of resilience.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
“Rather than being solely about the strength to endure, the curated works also speak to the ability to adapt amid change, recover, and continue growing through various challenges,” said Yoppy Pieter, curator of JIPFest 2026.
The JIPFest 2026 program reaches its peak with the Indonesia Photo Fair (IPF), held from September 18–20, 2026, at Galeri Emiria Soenassa and Galeri S. Sudjojono, Taman Ismail Marzuki. Carrying the spirit of Where Photography Meets Culture, Commerce, and Community, IPF brings together photographers, publishers, collectors, creative economy practitioners, communities, and the public in a space that connects photography with culture and market access.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
