The collective’s purpose was to produce socially engaged art projects by sharing knowledge and resources. In 2009, the group opened Sa Sa Art Gallery, which has since then hosted a number of exhibitions by young Cambodian artists.

As a collective, Stiev Selapak hosts residencies, facilitates collaborations, offers free art classes to low- income youth, and in other ways fosters a community of creative experimentation. Their aim since founding has been to strengthen Cambodia’s nascent yet growing contemporaiy art community, with an emphasis on learning together.

During the 1975-79 Khmer Rouge genocide, an estimated 90% of Cambodia’s artists and intellectuals were murdered. Many Khmer language books and cultural artefacts were also destroyed. Given this, and the continuing shortage of governmental or institutional support for contemporary art, Stiev Selapak’s is a particularly important role.