Developing Local Popular Music

Ms Janice Koh asked the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (a) what are the different kinds of support and schemes available to help the growth of the local popular music sector; (b) what has been the total amount of funding given towards developing local popular music and musicians over the last five years; and (c) what plans does the Ministry have to further develop the growth of this industry, both within Singapore and internationally.

Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: MICA supports the growth and holistic development of the local music sector, which spans across both the arts and the media industries in Singapore. All local artistes, talents, practitioners and professionals, including musicians, across different art forms and media can tap on the various schemes, programmes and grants administered by NAC and MDA. Specifically, over the last three years, more than $4 million in funding has been provided for the music sector in the following areas:

(1) Talent development and training;

(2) Overseas promotion, participation and profiling; and

(3) Platforms and opportunities for collaboration and showcase.

To develop capabilities and upgrade their skills, local musicians can apply to NAC and MDA's talent development schemes and initiatives such as short-term training programmes and scholarship awards. The agencies also work with industry partners to develop training programmes to promote dialogue, share expertise and knowledge.

Musicians can tap on NAC's Arts Professional Development Grant to pursue short-term training for the upgrading of their professional skills. They can also make use of MDA's Talent Assistance Scheme to upgrade and upskill through training programmes, as well as secure work attachment opportunities with a local or overseas media company to gain hands-on training on projects. Under this scheme, MDA also supports undergraduate or post-graduate studies through the Creative Industries Scholarships, covering tuition and other compulsory fees.

Further, through its Development Assistance Scheme which provides assistance in the development or ideation phase, MDA equips aspiring musicians intending to break into the music industry with financial support to produce "Electronic Press Kits (EPKs)". The EPK is an important pitching tool which contains original music compositions, biography, audio, video and press/media clippings.

Through the International Development Grants, local musicians can also benefit from NAC's initiatives to promote and profile Singapore artistes and works overseas, facilitating the engagement of Singapore artistes with the international community and establishing Singapore's image as a vibrant arts city internationally. For instance, NAC supported the band Cheating Sons and their tour of Korea last year, as well as local singer-songwriter Inch Chua's appearances at the 2012 South by Southwest Music Festival and the 2012 Canadian Music Festival.

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Beyond music festivals and consumer events, music talents and companies which are keen to participate in key music trade events to access new markets and commercial networks can tap on MDA's Marketing Assistance Scheme. This scheme provides assistance to market and distribute projects and productions, as well as help grow overseas demand for Singapore-produced content.

One of the key challenges in growing the local music sector lies in increasing opportunities for Singaporean musicians to collaborate and gain exposure or "airtime" for their works. Both NAC and MDA are working to provide various platforms for local music talents to showcase their works.

NAC's Noise Singapore provides opportunities for budding musicians to be mentored by more established musicians through The Music Mentorship programme. The mentors provide guidance in the form of feedback and sharing of knowledge and experience, with these exchanges culminating in a performance at venues such as the Esplanade.

NAC is also working with various radio stations to further expose the Noise music talents on radio. These opportunities complement "live" showcase platforms like Esplanade's 'Baybeats', an annual three-day alternative music festival aimed at showcasing indie musicians from Asia. The festival has been recognised as a launch pad for local indie talents, and plays an important role in the development of these bands through the mentoring provided leading up to their showcase.

NAC also supported Playfreely, a six-part series of musical performances curated by local band The Observatory at the Goodman Arts Centre. This series brought together musicians of different musical backgrounds to play and create music together. MDA also supports TV and radio award shows such as Anugerah Planet Muzik Awards and Singapore Entertainment Awards to recognise and profile local music talent.

To enhance commercial prospects and opportunities for local musicians, MDA will support cross-collaborations through its Production Assistance Scheme. MDA's objective is for every Made-in-Singapore production, whether TV programmes, film, animation, games, to be created with quality local music compositions. MDA is working with broadcasters and production companies to focus on the music aspect in the production and to feature Singapore music compositions.

The Government will continue to support local musicians and grow the Singaporean music sector. The recent report by the Arts and Culture Strategic Review (ACSR) included a number of recommendations targeting the music sector. These recommendations are currently under consideration. MICA will also continue to refine the grant schemes and programmes available through its agencies so that the needs of the various music groups can be better met.

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