Singapore to inject S$100 million boost into arts and culture over the next four years: MCCY

The ministry unveils plans to elevate Singapore's arts sector, promoting accessibility, wellbeing, and support for self-employed persons

Nisha Rahim
·News and Lifestyle Producer
·4-min read
Minister of State for Culture, Community, and Youth Low Yen Ling announces $100 million allocation over four years for Our SG Arts Plan 2023 - 2027 during her ministry's committee of supply in Parliament on Thursday (7 March)
Minister of State for Culture, Community, and Youth Low Yen Ling announces $100 million allocation over four years for Our SG Arts Plan 2023 - 2027 during her ministry's committee of supply in Parliament on Thursday (7 March). (PHOTO: MCI/YouTube)

SINGAPORE — To bolster the arts and cultural landscape, Singapore will allocate an extra S$100 million towards the Our SG Arts Plan 2023 - 2027 over four years.

Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Low Yen Ling said the extra funding aims to strengthen various aspects of the arts sector, such as expanding arts access for Singaporeans, developing artists and arts workers in Singapore, and building a robust arts ecosystem where arts companies and artists thrive.

Low elaborated on the specifics during her ministry's Committee of Supply on Thursday (7 March). She highlighted initiatives geared towards widening access to the arts and extending the reach and significance of the arts sector to diverse segments of society.

The government's agenda also includes the arts and wellbeing. Low noted the success of "Slow Art" programmes by the National Gallery Singapore, citing lower stress levels and enhanced wellbeing among participants. National Arts Council (NAC) will collaborate with healthcare entities like SingHealth and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to develop a framework promoting arts for health and wellbeing.

"The framework and resources will open up more opportunities for arts practitioners to use their craft to support and promote wellbeing," she added.

NHB's continued collaboration with social services for seniors' wellbeing

The National Heritage Board (NHB) will continue partnering with social service agencies to implement heritage-based interventions to enhance seniors' wellbeing. This aligns with the community-focused approach of Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0.

For instance, the National Museum of Singapore has established an inclusive social space named Reunion, catering to seniors, including those with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Here, they can participate in meaningful activities and conversations inspired by the museum's collection.

Besides involving seniors in arts-related activities, the ministry is actively engaging the youth in initiatives to promote and preserve Singapore's heritage, she said.

NHB has enlisted 35 young individuals to contribute to developing the inaugural Youth Heritage Blueprint. This provides a platform for the youth to express their perspectives and influence the direction of our museums and heritage landscape.

"Through these initiatives, we hope to make the arts and heritage accessible to all Singaporeans across different age groups, ensuring meaningful engagement with our cultural heritage," Low added.

Transformative projects and heritage nodes

Efforts to enrich Singapore's cultural landscape through innovative space use were highlighted. Low said that the NAC's collaboration with public and private sector partners aims to unlock and develop art spaces across Singapore.

Projects such as the revitalisation of 45 Armenian Street into a hub for artistic experimentation will provide about 14,000 square feet of space for the arts upon completion in 2026.

Beyond physical spaces, Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0 endeavours to deepen appreciation for Singapore's rich heritage. Heritage Activation Nodes (HANs) will be established in various neighbourhoods, co-creating heritage activities and celebrating the unique identity of each locality.

"The first of these nodes will be introduced in Katong-Joo Chiat next month (April 2024), while the second HAN in Clementi will be rolled out in a later part of this year," Low said.

Strengthening support and resources for self-employed practitioners

The government also aims to support arts practitioners, particularly self-employed persons (SEP), by enhancing training opportunities and widening funding access.

"NAC will strengthen the support for Arts SEPs to boost their prospects and chances of success. We will enhance and increase their training opportunities to enable them to pursue their profession with better career stability," Low said.

The council plans to enhance training opportunities for these self-employed artists through multiple pathways such as workplace-based, peer-to-peer, or self-directed learning. Arts Resource Hub will offer career guidance resources and content tailored for Arts SEPs.

NAC will also expand funding access for training, benefiting individuals like arts instructors.The council will collaborate with groups like the National Instructors & Coaches Association (NICA) to provide subsidies and allowances through programmes like NAC-NICA Training Support.

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