The National Arts Council (NAC) has officially unveiled its highly anticipated Our SG Arts Plan (2023-2027), which marks a new and exciting chapter for Singapore’s thriving arts and culture landscape. The launch event was graced by the presence of Mr. Edwin Tong, who serves as the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law. This momentous occasion celebrated the culmination of an extensive consultation process that involved over 16,500 stakeholders who offered valuable insights and aspirations for the advancement of the nation’s arts community.
Our SG Arts Plan (2023-2027)
After extensive consultations with industry partners, artists, creatives, and the public since July 2021, Our SG Arts Plan (2023-2027) has been developed. This plan serves as a strategic blueprint for Singapore’s arts and culture for the next five years, revolving around three primary pillars.
- A Connected Society: Fostering unity and shared culture through accessible and quality arts initiatives.
- A Distinctive City: Infusing everyday spaces with the arts to make Singapore a beloved and attractive destination.
- A Creative Economy: Fueling the arts sector with excellence, innovation, and collaboration within the broader creative industry.
Singapore’s arts scene is set to undergo a significant transformation with the implementation of eight initiatives. These initiatives span across various areas such as arts, lifestyle, community, and technology. Each initiative is carefully designed to emphasize the importance of every individual’s role in shaping the future of Singapore’s arts scene. With these new initiatives, Singapore is poised to become a vibrant and thriving hub for the arts, bringing together people from different backgrounds and communities to create a more inclusive and diverse cultural landscape.
Building a Connected Society Through Arts Engagement
All Singaporeans, regardless of their background, can anticipate better accessibility and quality of art initiatives, which will help establish a more interconnected society. According to the NAC’s 2022 Population Survey on the Arts, public interest in art and arts engagement is rising, with physical art attendance nearly returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
In collaboration with key partners, NAC has introduced “Catch,” a one-stop digital platform for arts and culture content to further boost public engagement. Catch allows users to explore and book tickets for arts and culture events while providing smaller arts groups a platform to promote their initiatives. It’s a gateway to fostering diverse audiences and promoting inclusivity.
Transforming Singapore into a Distinctive City for the Arts
Singapore will become a more charming and distinctive city as everyday spaces come alive with art. NAC’s partnership with the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Housing & Development Board’s Lively Places Programme aims to co-create arts-based initiatives in housing estates and commuting spaces. These initiatives intend to enliven public spaces, strengthen community bonds, and make Singapore a more livable city.
Through its partnership with SMRT Trains Ltd, the NAC aims to expand the reach of Singapore’s arts scene to unexpected locations such as public transportation. The “Hear65’s ‘I Play SG Music’ campaign” will feature homegrown musicians and artists across various transportation modes including 125 MRT, LRT and bus interchanges.
Additionally, NAC is venturing into the virtual space with Project Arts Metaverse, an industry-led Alliance for Action. This initiative aims to explore and innovate in virtual arts experiences such as virtual concerts, exhibitions, and festivals, targeting audiences of tomorrow.
Developing a Skilled Arts Workforce for the Creative Economy
NAC’s commitment to a vibrant Creative Economy strongly emphasises artistic excellence and skills development. The Skills Framework for Arts and Enhanced Development Support aims to diversify opportunities and promote skills applicability through hands-on components like apprenticeships and workplace-based learning.
Expanding Opportunities for Singapore Arts Through Partnerships
NAC actively collaborates with corporate partners to elevate Singapore’s global arts profile. Partnerships with Mediacorp, Marina Bay Sands, and Singapore Airlines are set to amplify arts and culture content, foster cross-industry connections, and bring Singapore’s vibrant arts scene to international audiences.
Join the Arts Journey
NAC invites everyone to participate in this transformative journey in developing Singapore’s arts and culture scene. A brand film has been commissioned to envision this exciting future and is available on NAC’s YouTube page.
Join the conversation using the hashtag #JoinTheMaking.
