students enrolled annually
invested yearly in education and the community
%
of graduates in jobs
What we do
Over 1,000 students are empowered every year through our schools and programs in performing, visual, and applied arts. Both leisure classes for children and vocational training for young adults develop their creativity, communication, and concentration skills, and give them access to a sustainable artistic career while preserving and promoting Cambodian arts and culture.
Support us
Help us spread a passion for the arts across Cambodia. We believe that all children, regardless of their background, deserve to have access to the healing powers of the arts. Our artistic training provides art therapy as well as professional skills that lead to lasting employment. Your donation directly supports these programs.
Come see a circus show!
Circus shows
Experience a circus show by our talented students. Shows take place on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays starting at 7 p.m. Buy your tickets online or on campus!
Visit the campus
Mornings and afternoons, Monday to Friday, we welcome you on guided tours of our vibrant campus. Book your visit today!
Workshops & Events
We offer workshops and events for tourists and businesses alike. Spend a day studying art, dance, circus or music with our artists and performers, or host your next meeting or team building seminar at our lush and atmospheric campus.
Sponsor a Child
When you join our child sponsorship program, your monthly gift gives our most at-risk students the aid and support they need to stay in school and pursue their passions.
Volunteer with Us
We welcome committed and passionate volunteers who have specific expertise or experience which fills a current need. Those needs change over time, but some examples of skills often needed are in social media, communications, IT, lighting, sound design, merchandising, and customer service.
Job Openings
Do you believe in the power of the arts as a tool for human development and social change? If this is you, join our team! Check out our open positions here.
News & Stories
2024: A Year of Celebrations, Milestones, and Memories
This year more than ever, we’ve felt the heartbeat of Phare Ponleu Selpak—stronger, warmer, and more connected than before. 2024 was a year that reminded us of the power of art, the importance of coming together, and the incredible stories we create when we support...
Animating Dreams with MIL Kosal, Visual and Applied Arts School Alumnus
Growing up in the countryside, MIL Kosal barely saw any opportunities ahead. But with a deep passion for art, he pursued his dream of becoming an animator at Phare Ponleu Selpak’s Visual and Applied Arts School (VAAS). Today, he’s a senior animator at Phare Creative...
Meet Clémence Deville: A Passionate Volunteer in Communications at Phare Ponleu Selpak
At Phare Ponleu Selpak, our volunteers and interns bring fresh perspectives, boundless creativity, and an eagerness to make a difference. Whether they’re from Cambodia or across the globe, their contributions not only support our mission but also leave a lasting...
Turning pages, building futures: Phare’s commitment to literacy and community
Photo credit: Olivia AUDO Over the past year, Phare’s mobile library has brought joy and literary opportunities to children in Battambang. The brightly decorated rickshaw, brimming with books, and the welcoming smiles of volunteers have all become a staple image of...
Sovanita’s Story: How Phare Kindergarten Cultivated an Early Love of the Arts
Sinat, a mother from an impoverished situation, is delighted to witness her 5-year-old daughter Sovanita thrive in the supportive environment at Phare Kindergarten. Sovanita’s passion for art reflects her dreams, making her a favorite among teachers. Phare Ponleu...
Empowering Futures: How Phare’s Lunch Support Program Makes a Difference
At Phare Ponleu Selpak, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to transform their life through education and the arts. To make this possible, we’ve developed several sponsorship programs that support children from vulnerable backgrounds. The safety and...
Celebrating Pchum Ben at Phare: When the Living Honour Their Ancestors
If your mornings were gently filled with the sound of prayers and sacred chants, you were likely in Cambodia, near a pagoda, during the sacred period of Pchum Ben. This essential festival for honoring ancestors attracts thousands of people to temples between September...
The Water Festival in Battambang: Phare Ponleu Selpak’s role in cultural revitalization
At the heart of Khmer mythology there is a fascinating legend: the union between the Indian prince Kaundinya and the Naga princess Soma. Thousands of years ago, Cambodia was an island occupied by the Naga, half-human, half-serpent creatures, venerated as the...
Dancing Toward a Fairer Future: A New Path for Young Female Dancers at Phare Ponleu Selpak
This year, Phare Ponleu Selpak has taken a meaningful step toward creating new opportunities for young female dancers. In February, thanks to funding from the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) we launched a new project aimed at improving the learning...
From Battambang to Cirque du Soleil: SOK Dina’s Journey to Becoming Cirque’s First Cambodian Performer
If you haven’t already heard of SOK Dina, then prepare to be amazed. Dina is the first performer from Cambodia to join Cirque du Soliel in Montreal, Canada. Dina is also a circus alumnus from Phare Performing Arts School. From 2005 to 2011, Dina – and his friend and...
![Pride Month Interview: How Trans Student Sarann Found Her Place as a Khmer Dancer at Phare Ponleu Selpak [Video]](https://phareps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sarann-trans-woman-khmer-dance-student-story-e1719826361206-800x675.jpg)
Pride Month Interview: How Trans Student Sarann Found Her Place as a Khmer Dancer at Phare Ponleu Selpak [Video]
As a trans woman who is a Khmer traditional dancer, YOU Sarann faces endless discrimination. The 23-year-old Battambang native has dreamed of becoming a dancer since childhood, but many times, she’s wanted to give up. Fortunately, Phare Ponleu Selpak provides Sarann...