BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR — The Bali provincial government is accelerating the development of the Bali Cultural Center (Pusat Kebudayaan Bali/PKB) in Klungkung Regency, with the core zone targeted for completion by December 2027 and expected to host major cultural events starting in 2028.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster said the planning and design phase for the core zone is nearing completion. Physical construction will proceed once the remaining planning stages have been finalized.

The provincial government had previously targeted the start of construction for the core zone by the end of 2026. With completion now targeted for December 2027, the facility is expected to be ready for the 50th Bali Arts Festival (PKB) in 2028.

Koster has set a target for the 50th edition of the festival to be held at the new complex. The annual Bali Arts Festival, along with other large-scale cultural and artistic events, has traditionally been held at the Bali Cultural Park, also known as the Art Center, in Denpasar.

According to Koster, the Art Center’s capacity is increasingly limited as cultural activities and visitor numbers continue to grow. The Klungkung complex is therefore being developed as a larger venue for cultural activities.

The core zone will feature a range of cultural facilities, including open-air and indoor stages, a wantilan — a traditional Balinese pavilion — and other supporting facilities for arts and cultural activities.

The complex is also being planned as a venue for national and international events beyond cultural performances, including exhibitions, expos, concerts and MICE activities — meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions.

Alongside the core zone, the provincial government plans to develop a commercial zone through partnerships with private-sector entities. Planned facilities include a marina, hotels, convention facilities and Bali Expo.

The commercial development is intended to support economic and tourism activities without altering the area’s primary function as a center for Balinese culture.

Provincial planning documents outline multiple functions for the PKB complex, including trade, performing arts, exhibitions of cultural products, business activities, ports and marina facilities, MICE events and tourism development.

Koster previously said the commercial zone would be developed through partnerships with third parties. Revenue generated from the area is expected to become one of the funding sources to support the long-term operation and management of the cultural center.

Bali Expo is also planned as a key facility within the complex. The venue is expected to strengthen Bali’s capacity to host national and international events.

The PKB complex is being developed in stages. The first phase, covering the core zone, was previously estimated to require around Rp940 billion, while the total development cost is projected at approximately Rp1.4 trillion.

Funding will be provided in stages. The Bali provincial government has transferred around Rp200 billion and plans to allocate an additional Rp700 billion in 2027.

The PKB complex is designed as a new economic growth center integrating culture, the creative economy and tourism.

Koster emphasized that the development must remain rooted in Bali’s cultural identity and the area’s primary cultural function. Commercial facilities, he said, are intended to support the complex rather than replace its role as a center for Balinese culture.