MALAY AND INDIAN CULTURAL SHOWS

MALAY AND INDIAN CULTURAL SHOWS

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(Promotion): **

28.

Dr Ong Seh Hong asked the Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (a) how many Malay and Indian arts and cultural shows have been carried out in Singapore for the last one year; and (b) what will be done to promote more of our Malay and Indian cultural shows.

RAdm [NS] Lui Tuck Yew: I would like to thank Dr Ong Seh Hong for his interest in Malay and Indian performing arts and culture.

In 2008, there were approximately 650 ticketed and non-ticketed Malay and Indian arts and cultural shows staged in Singapore, or nearly two shows per day. These shows included dance, theatre, classical music performances and cultural concerts.

Traditional art-forms underpin Singapore’s rich cultural diversity and our national identity. We will continue to develop and promote traditional arts through financial assistance, capability development and showcasing opportunities.

A new Traditional Arts Fund provides $2.5 million in funding support from 2008 to 2012 for ethnic arts groups. In addition, ethnic arts groups receive financial assistance through grants administered by the National Arts Council (NAC). In 2008, nearly $1 million was devoted to supporting Malay and Indian performing arts events and training activities. This comprised more than $560,000 from grants and the Traditional Arts Fund, and more than $400,000 in arts housing subsidies.

The National Heritage Board also provides funding and administrative expertise to support the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall at Balestier, Malay Heritage Centre at Kampung Glam and a planned Indian Heritage Centre at Little India, all of which serve as focal points for arts and culture events for the respective communities.

A pool of well-trained arts practitioners will contribute towards the growth and sustainability of traditional arts. Therefore, we invest in capability development by developing programmes to upgrade the skills and knowledge of our local practitioners, working with partners such as the People’s Association. In 2008, NAC co-organised eight professional training programmes attended by a total of 457 established and emerging talent.

Finally, we provide our arts groups with opportunities to be showcased. NAC’s Arts for All Community Programme facilitates collaborations between grassroots organisations and established traditional performing arts groups on performances. The annual HeritageFest organised by NHB incorporates dedicated segments by ethnic arts groups, whilst the Esplanade organises ethnic arts festivals. Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts – and Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts, featured more than 140 local and international acts in 2008. There are also opportunities for arts groups to be showcased overseas. In August, traditional Malay groups Sriwani and Sri Mahligai represented Singapore at the 11th Asia Arts Festival in China.

I would like to encourage Dr Ong and my Parliamentary colleagues to lend their support to the many platforms that showcase traditional arts performances and talents.