MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND THE ARTS

BG George Yong-Boon Yeo Minister for Information and The Arts

1. MITA will continue to help make Singapore a renaissance city for information, culture and the arts in the 21st century.

Information

Broadcasting

2. The broadcasting industry is expanding rapidly. New technologies challenge us to find new ways to manage and exploit them.

3. The former SBC was corporatised as TCS and TV12 in 1994. Quality of programming has improved. TV12 was restructured and Prime 12 and Premiere 12 were launched in September 1995. We will start a new arts radio station this year.

4. Cable TV was introduced in Tampines in June 1995. By 1999, the whole island will be cabled up. Singaporeans can then subscribe to a wide range of cable TV programmes, and enjoy access to interactive services and high speed Internet.

5. The Internet is growing explosively as a universal facility for mass communication. We will continue to promote the responsible use of the Internet as an exciting medium for information, education, entertainment and commercial applications.

Media Hub

6. Singapore is becoming a Media Hub. Financial information services have grown to service expanding Asian markets. International media organisations like Reuters have set up regional offices, uplinking and production facilities here. We welcome them, and will continue to facilitate their operations in the region.

Library

7. Every Singaporean will have a library within easy reach. The National Library Board (NLB) will implement a $1 billion programme to make public libraries more convenient and accessible. Eventually we will have 4 regional libraries, 18 community libraries and 84 neighbourhood children's libraries all over Singapore.

8. NLB has introduced online services including catalogue searches and loans. Next, NLB will link its libraries electronically with other major libraries in Singapore and elsewhere. Singaporeans will have fast and easy access to library resources worldwide.

Culture and The Arts

The Arts

9. We will make the arts more accessible to Singaporeans of all ages. The National Arts Council (NAC) has launched the "Concerts in the Park" series. NAC will extend the Arts Education Programme to all schools, and work with arts groups and mass organisations to hold more art events in community centres, libraries and HDB town centres.

10. The first two auditoriums at The Esplanade -Theatres on the Bay will be completed in the year 2001. They will provide much needed performing space for quality productions and help Singapore become a regional centre for the arts.

11. From 1999, the Festival of Arts, now held every other year, will become an annual event, absorbing the Festival of Asian Performing Arts.

12. We will help the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) develop into a professional orchestra of high standards. SCO's home will be the Singapore Conference Hall, when renovations are completed by 1999. We will continue to assist the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and help it prepare for the opening of The Esplanade.

13. We will help to develop the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and LaSalle-SIA College into premier arts institutions with their own characters and traditions. They will conduct tertiary level courses and give artistic young Singaporeans opportunities to realise their potential.

14. We will promote community singing, especially of Singapore songs. We will gradually build up a repertoire of Singapore songs and popularise them on radio and television.

Heritage

15. The first wing of the Asian Civilisation Museum (ACM) at the old Tao Nan School was officially opened on 21st April this year. The larger second wing of ACM at the Empress Place Building will be ready in 1999. ACM will showcase the major Asian civilisations which are part of our diverse heritage.

16. We will continue to bring in exhibitions from all over the world while building up our own collections. ACM at old Tao Nan opened with displays on Chinese civilisation and a Ramayana exhibition. The Singapore Art Museum will hold a Leonardo da Vinci exhibition this year.

17. We will continue to promote knowledge of Singapore history. The National Heritage Board (NHB) will organise travelling exhibitions to schools and community centres. The National Museum Building at Stamford Road will be renovated to house the Singapore History Museum. NHB will also set up a small museum at the old Bukit Timah Ford Factory.

SINGAPORE KINDNESS MOVEMENT

18. MITA supports the establishment of the Singapore Kindness Movement as a civic movement. Its aim is to inspire Singaporeans from all walks of life to perform acts of kindness, small and not-so-small, in their daily lives. In March, the movement was opened to all secondary one and two students. Other groups will be progressively brought in.