After the war in 1979, radio announcements were made in an attempt to locate surviving performers around the country with the goal of identifying which traditional performance genres might still be practised. Some nine disciplines were eventually resurrected, and since that time the Cambodian government, in conjunction with international agencies such as UNESCO, has made strenuous efforts to widen the practitioner skills base of these ancient art forms.

While emphasis continues to be placed on traditional performing arts genres, spoken drama maintains a loyal following in Cambodia, and international forms such as chamber and orchestral music and contemporary dance are slowly beginning to develop.