NEW FRAMEWORK FOR ARTS SPACES

NEW FRAMEWORK FOR ARTS SPACES

36.

Ms Audrey Wong Wai Yen asked the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (a) whether the new Arts Housing Framework announced recently will result in changes to existing grants schemes for artists and arts groups; and (b) whether the Ministry intends to encourage private sector's support to develop more rehearsal, studio, and performance or exhibition spaces for Singapore arts sector.

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RAdm [NS] Lui Tuck Yew: I would like to thank Ms Audrey Wong for her interest in the future direction of the NAC in providing support for artists and arts groups. Ms Wong's question raises two key issues: first, whether the new Framework for Arts Spaces would lead to a change in NAC's existing grant schemes; second, whether there is intention to encourage private and community support for arts spaces. I will address these points in turn.

The recent changes to the Arts Housing Scheme are necessary and part of a rigorous policy review process to ensure that NAC's support schemes for artists and arts groups stay relevant and efficient. To achieve this, the NAC had conducted extensive public consultation sessions with the arts sector during the review of the Arts Housing Scheme.

One recurrent feedback that we have received was that the one-size-fits-all Arts Housing Scheme could not meet the different needs of artists and arts groups at their various stages of development. In particular, new and emerging arts groups had little or no access. Indeed, in the 2009/10 report of the Auditor-General, it was noted that arts housing resources could be better optimised. AGO noted that more than 50% of Arts Housing tenants had occupied their premises for over 10 years, with more than one in five of these having occupied them for more than 20 years. There was clearly a need to introduce more targeted schemes to cater to the diverse requirements and aspirations of the whole spectrum of artists and arts groups.

Among the enhancements NAC will introduce include the Incubation Scheme, which provides young and emerging artists and arts groups a chance to test out their ideas. For developing artists or arts groups, more stability is critical to give them time to deepen their artistic programmes and build up their base of audiences and supporters. For mature artists or arts groups who may have the capacity and vision to contribute beyond producing their own practises, NAC will partner them with facilities that support their work in developing the next generation of practitioners or building deeper engagement with the community.

As with any new scheme being introduced, there may be uncertainties among some stakeholders as to how the changes will affect them, including how the new Framework may affect the existing perks and grants they currently enjoy. There is no immediate plan to radically revise NAC's other grant schemes, as a result of the introduction of the new Framework for Arts Spaces. Instead, the new Framework will complement NAC's current arsenal of support, such as grants, scholarships and other capability development initiatives that help artists and arts groups develop their art, achieve greater sustainability and reach out to audiences. Any major revisions to these other support schemes will be done in close consultation with the various stakeholders.

Next, I welcome Ms Wong's suggestion to encourage private and community support for arts spaces. Indeed, a significant component of the new Framework for Arts Spaces looks beyond the properties under NAC, to spaces and facilities in the private, public and people sector that can be tapped on to create new spaces for the arts and the community.

The plan is to house artists and arts groups within communities in each of the three regional centres and in each of the four sub-regional centres outside of the city centre by 2015. The NAC has begun conversations with partners to match artists and arts groups with communities where they can be involved in the project conceptualisation and design

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development of new civic spaces and facilities. This endeavour will help artists and arts groups generate more community support and present artistic creations that entertain, enrich and inspire Singaporeans.

In addition, NAC is stepping up its facilitation role to first, co-locate artists and arts groups within commercial developments such as shopping centres or mixed use creative clusters and second, for artists and arts groups to tap on existing facilities in schools, community and commercial buildings, vacant state properties for project and short-term needs. The latter was echoed by the arts community during the public consultation exercise, who articulated that there is scope to tap on state properties or spaces in Government-sponsored institutions that may not be fully utilised.

The Arts and Culture Strategic Review (ACSR) Steering Committee, led by Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Chairman, School of the Arts, is also looking at ways to encourage community and corporate support and partnerships in the mid- to long-term as an important component of the review, and will publish its full recommendations after the review.

In conclusion, I would like to assure Ms Audrey Wong that we will carefully consider all feedback and consult with stakeholders to ensure that our support measures remain relevant to the arts industry.

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