The vibrant arts and culture scene in Singapore is about to embark on an exciting journey with the launch of the Our SG Arts Plan (2023-2027) by the National Arts Council (NAC). This groundbreaking event, officiated by Mr. Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law, marks a significant milestone in the development of Singapore’s arts and culture landscape.
The Our SG Arts Plan (2023-2027) has been meticulously crafted through extensive engagement with more than 16,500 stakeholders who shared their aspirations for the future of the arts scene in Singapore. Drawing upon insights gathered from industry partners, artists, creatives, and the public since July 2021, this masterplan sets out a clear roadmap for the next five years.
Three Pillars to Shape Singapore’s Cultural Future
The plan revolves around three strategic thrusts that will shape the future of the arts scene in Singapore:
- A Connected Society: The vision is to build a community united by shared arts and culture experiences. Singaporeans of all ages and backgrounds can look forward to more accessible and high-quality arts initiatives. Recent data from NAC’s 2022 Population Survey on the Arts reveals a surge in public interest in the arts, with physical arts attendance rising to 59% in 2022.
- A Distinctive City: The plan aims to infuse the arts into everyday spaces, making Singapore an even more endearing home and an attractive destination. Collaborations with organizations like the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Housing & Development Board’s Lively Places Programme will invigorate public spaces with arts-based initiatives.
- A Creative Economy: The arts sector will be empowered through excellence, innovation, and close collaboration with the larger creative industry. Initiatives like Project Arts Metaverse will explore novel arts experiences in the virtual world, bridging the gap between art and technology.
Innovative Initiatives to Look Forward To
The Our SG Arts Plan (2023-2027) will launch a range of exciting initiatives spanning various sectors, such as arts, lifestyle, community, and technology:
- Catch: A digital platform developed in collaboration with key partners like the National Heritage Board, Arts House Limited, National Gallery Singapore, and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Catch offers Singaporeans a one-stop solution to explore, book, and engage with arts and culture events.
- Arts Education: Continued partnerships between NAC and the Ministry of Education (MOE) will provide students with more arts and culture experiences. These experiences have been proven to enhance students’ social and emotional well-being.
- Transforming Commute Spaces: NAC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SMRT Trains Ltd to bring music, poetry, and busking to public spaces, introducing Singapore’s arts and culture to commuters.
- Project Arts Metaverse: A forward-looking initiative to create unique arts experiences in the metaverse, including virtual concerts, exhibitions, and festivals.
- Skills Framework for Arts: NAC is committed to developing a future-ready workforce, elevating artistic excellence and skills development through innovative approaches.
Partnerships That Elevate Singapore Arts Globally
NAC is actively collaborating with corporate partners to elevate Singapore’s arts on the global stage:
- Mediacorp Partnership: A collaboration with Mediacorp to amplify arts and culture content, providing greater exposure and support for local artists and arts groups across all Mediacorp platforms.
- Marina Bay Sands Partnership: A multi-year partnership to tap into Marina Bay Sands’ industry expertise and networks to add value to the arts sector and the creative economy.
- Singapore Airlines Partnership: Singapore’s arts and culture scene will be promoted to global audiences through Singapore Airlines, reaching passengers and KrisFlyer members worldwide.
NAC invites everyone to be part of this exciting journey to shape Singapore’s arts and culture scene. Follow the conversation using the hashtag #JoinTheMaking on social media.
