Ms Janice Koh asked the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (a) what are the reasons for the National Arts Council's (NAC) decision to gradually withdraw operational grant funding from major arts companies that have found private support; (b) how will NAC help these and future companies continue to play a leading role in developing original content and nurturing Singapore talent and new audiences when they are subject to commercial market demands; and (c) whether the Ministry can provide matching grants to these companies to incentivise private sponsorship that will support their long-term growth.

The Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim): Sir, the Government recognises that arts and culture can play a key role in contributing to our overall quality of life and strengthening our social fabric. We have been and will continue to support our artists and arts companies in their efforts to engage the community, develop original content, and nurture local talent.

The Government has channelled significant resources towards arts and culture over the years, with more than $140 million in assistance and investment given out by the National Arts Council (NAC) from FY2007 to FY2011. Sir, this includes funding for arts organisations given through NAC's grants schemes, as well as other forms of support such as arts housing subsidies and showcase platforms. For FY2012, NAC has committed over $40 million towards these areas.

One of the grant schemes that NAC administers is the Major Grant scheme, which aims to develop a pool of viable, professional arts organisations that are hallmarks of artistic excellence, and embraced by Singaporeans for their role in expressing Singapore's cultural identity, national values, heritage and aspirations. As such, a key focus of this scheme is to assist the recipients in building up their organisational capacity and financial sustainability. This year, the Government has increased our Major Grant funding by 26% to over $6.5 million, to help position companies for longer-term growth by way of investments in staff, training and programmes.

Nonetheless, Sir, there will always be more companies looking to Government assistance than there are resources. MICA is heartened by the growing number of new arts groups and enthusiasts. To ensure adequate support for these new arts groups, NAC will continually review its assistance schemes, to strike a balance between funding levels for the more established companies and new up-and-coming groups. As such, NAC has plans to extend the Seed Grant Scheme later this year to support more new or emerging arts companies. For companies which have been receiving grants for many years and are now more established, stable and successful, government funding should comprise a smaller proportion of their basic operating needs as they secure more private and corporate support. These companies should eventually "graduate" from the Major Grant scheme for their basic operating needs. Thereafter, NAC will continue to work closely with these companies to provide funding support in more targeted ways to help them achieve higher levels of artistic excellence. These include project-level grants, support for international travel and collaborations, professional development and marketing.

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The recent Arts and Culture Strategic Review (ACSR) had also called for the Government to incentivise greater philanthropy and corporate sponsorship, by establishing a Matching Grant Scheme for arts and culture donations, as well as by introducing more matching grant components in Government's grants and assistance schemes. MICA is studying this recommendation. It is worth considering; but we must also be cognisant that there are many pressing demands on the national budget, in many other areas of need. Regardless of whether such a scheme materialises, I urge private philanthropists and corporate sponsors to come forward and support our arts companies and artists.

Sir, whilst the Government remains committed to furthering the development of Singapore's arts and culture scene, the role of supporting and funding the arts and culture cannot and should not be undertaken by the Government alone. In a rich and diverse arts landscape, private individuals and corporations play a critical role in sustaining and promoting a wide range of artistic talent and work that resonate with them. As such, the Government aims to work hand in hand with our arts and culture practitioners, and our people and private sectors, in building our arts companies, nurturing our talent, and developing an arts and culture scene that Singaporeans can all be proud of.

5.00 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time.

[ Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), Written Answers to Question Nos 31-32, 34-36, 38-42, 44-48, 50-56, 58-62, 64-73, 76-80, 82-83 and 86 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the Appendix (Pg 174-206). Question Nos 30, 33, 37, 43, 49, 57, 63, 74-75, 81 and 84-85 have been postponed to the next available sitting of Parliament .]

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