Launched in 2005, Phnom Penh Arts Festival is the first broad-based arts initiative which brings together leading arts organisations, local artists and community groups to share the spirit of Cambodian culture. The inaugural festival aimed: (i) to present accessible, high quality work from Cambodia and overseas that will highlight the diversity and raise the profile nationally and internationally of Cambodian arts; (ii) to develop Cambodian audiences for the arts; (iii) in the absence of a working National Theatre venue in Phnom Penh, to provide an opportunity for artists to perform to a wide public audience; (iv) to start with a small festival and work with a view to a larger, annual Phnom Penh Arts Festival; (v) to build trust and co-operation between individuals working in the arts in Cambodia; (vi) to build the capacity of Cambodians in festival management and administration; (vii) to work openly and transparently with access to as many people as possible; (viii) to include a Sampeah Kru and other ceremonies as appropriate; and (ix) to build creative relationships between artists and arts workers in Cambodia and overseas. The festival is a free event open to all members of the public. It has no core funder; performers also provide their time and skills free in exchange for the opportunity to showcase their work. To make this work, the festival organisers seek support from individuals and from the local and international communities, both financial and in-kind. Taking art to the people is a key aim of the festival, which takes place outside the National Theatre in Phnom Penh and in other venues throughout the city, including streets and parks. Participating Organisations included the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA), the National Theatre, the Municipality of Phnom Penh, the Sovanna Phum Arts Association, Silapak Khmer Amatak, Apsara Arts Association, Amrita Performing Arts, Reyum Institute of Art and Culture, Phare Ponleu Selapek and Khmer Architecture Tours. The festival featured classical dance, circus, shadow puppetry, spoken drama, folk and contemporary dance, music, film, exhibitions, tours, street theatre and truck theatre.