Cambodia Tourism Board partners with Art for Kep to promote Kep and the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery

On 7 August 2026, the Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) and the Art for Kep association signed a partnership agreement in Kep aimed at raising the town's international profile, along with the future S.E.A. Ocean Gallery, which will become Southeast Asia's first underwater art museum off its coast.

Jef Moons, Chairman of Art for Kep (left), and His Excellency Kim Minea, CEO of the Cambodia Tourism Board (right), sign the partnership agreement in the presence of Prince Tesso Sisowath, at the ceremony held on 7 August 2026 in Kep — Photo CTB / Art for Kep

The S.E.A. Ocean Gallery, a future museum that will live underwater

Led by Art for Kep in partnership with Kep West and the NGO Marine Conservation Cambodia, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery is billed as the future first underwater art museum in Southeast Asia. Once placed on the seabed, within a marine protected area off the coast of Kep, its sculptures will not be simple submerged artworks: designed as substrates, they are built to host marine life and, over time, become genuine artificial reefs.

From left to right: Cédric Eloy (Art for Kep), Jef Moons (Chairman of Art for Kep), Prince Tesso Sisowath, Peter Brongers (Vice President of Art for Kep) and His Excellency Kim Minea (CEO of the Cambodia Tourism Board) pose with the signed documents at the close of the ceremony — Photo CTB / Art for Kep

An agreement backed by CTB's Matching Grant

The partnership draws on the Cambodia Tourism Board's Matching Grant programme for the overseas promotion of events, which allows for co-investment of up to USD 20,000 per event. Open to public institutions, non-profit organisations, private businesses and communications agencies organising recurring events across the country, the programme is designed to strengthen the international visibility of such initiatives and to help position Cambodia as a year-round tourism destination. Under the agreement, CTB commits to amplifying the promotion of Kep and the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery to international audiences, alongside Art for Kep.

What the leaders had to say

"The Cambodia Tourism Board is proud to support Art for Kep through this B2B2C partnership, showcasing Kep as one of Cambodia's most captivating coastal destinations while supporting Asia's first large-scale underwater art and marine conservation destination," said His Excellency Kim Minea, CEO of the Cambodia Tourism Board, at the ceremony.

He described the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery as "another exciting new attraction for both domestic and international travellers," adding that initiatives like this one "strengthen Cambodia's international appeal while generating lasting value for local communities."

For Art for Kep, Chairman Jef Moons recalled the conviction behind the project:

"We began with a simple conviction: that Kep deserves to be known for more than its coastline. Today's agreement brings us closer to that. The Ocean Gallery joins contemporary art with marine restoration; each sculpture becomes a living reef."

He also thanked the Cambodia Tourism Board and everyone who has helped carry the project forward, adding that "there is a great deal still to build," and that the team is ready for it.

Peter Brongers, Vice President of Art for Kep, highlighted what this institutional backing changes for the project in practical terms: "The support of the Cambodia Tourism Board gives this project the standing it needs to be taken seriously beyond Cambodia's borders. It also connects us to the international audiences, partners and media that an undertaking of this scale depends on, and it affirms Kep's place in Cambodia's cultural future."

Prince Tesso Sisowath, Cédric Eloy, Jef Moons, Peter Brongers and His Excellency Kim Minea raise a toast by the water at the close of the signing ceremony in Kep — Photo CTB / Art for Kep

Kep, a destination that goes beyond its coastline

Known for its seafood, particularly Kep crab, Kep combines gastronomy, coastal landscapes, islands and eco-tourism experiences. Its mangroves, fishing villages, crab market, historic architecture, the pepper farms and salt fields nearby, the Koh Ach Seh conservation area, hilltop cafés and sailing outings all add up to a destination with many facets. Kep is part of "Cambodia Bay," the country's four coastal provinces — Koh Kong, Kampot, Sihanoukville and Kep — a member of The Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club since 2011. With the future S.E.A. Ocean Gallery, the town is set to add one more attraction to an already rich lineup.

Remarks are delivered during the signing ceremony marking the partnership between the Cambodia Tourism Board and Art for Kep, by the sea in Kep — Photo CTB / Art for Kep

Art for Kep, between contemporary art and marine conservation

Art for Kep is a Cambodian association based in Kep, behind the future S.E.A. Ocean Gallery, which will become Southeast Asia's first underwater art museum. Developed in partnership with Kep West and the NGO Marine Conservation Cambodia, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education, the project will pair contemporary art with the restoration of marine ecosystems off the coast of Kep. Art for Kep also runs an artist residency programme, hosting international artists who come to produce work inspired by the town and its community.

Cambodia Tourism Board, the national tourism authority

The Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) is an initiative of the Royal Government of Cambodia tasked with strengthening the country's standing as a leading global tourism destination. Its Matching Grant programme for the overseas promotion of events is part of that broader mission: supporting the organisers of recurring events across the country to increase their visibility abroad and attract international visitors year-round.

Learn more — Art for Kep: www.artforkep.org

Cambodia Tourism Board: ctb.gov.kh