HIDDEN_ADDENDA, MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS

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MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS: DR LEE BOON YANG
Minister for Information, Communications and The Arts

1 MICA’s mission is to bring about a Creative People, a Gracious Community and a Connected Singapore. We will take Singapore into a new and exciting phase of social, cultural and economic development. Through our programmes in the arts, heritage, information, creative industries, and infocommunication sectors we will enhance Singapore’s competitive advantage and build a more cohesive society. We aim to transform Singapore into "The Place To Be"- where all Singaporeans have the opportunity to fulfil their unique potential.

UNLEASHING PASSION: 2 To unleash creativity and passion at the community level, we shall adopt a 3P (public, private and people sectors) approach to implement the Creative Town Initiative. The Creative Town Partnership comprising MICA, Community Development Councils, individuals and private organisations will provide seed funding to pilot creative projects that will benefit the community, promote community bonding and facilitate employment creation in the creative industries. This will also provide the community with a stronger sense of identity.

3 Our libraries are creative spaces where knowledge and imagination can be fused to create new possibilities for Singaporeans. With its extensive network of libraries, the National Library Board will continue to support life-long learning among Singaporeans. The new National Library will open in 2005. It will have a world-class reference and resource centre for Asian materials and incorporate the New Drama Centre.

4 MICA will build an Independent Arts School by 2008 to provide integrated arts and academic secondary education for artistically inclined students. The school will enable its students to interact and collaborate with artists and the community. The school will also widen the educational choices open to young Singaporeans, encourage them to consider careers in the arts, as well as develop leaders in other fields with a strong foundation in the arts.

5 MICA will transform Singapore’s civic district into a bustling arts and cultural hub. The Supreme Court and City Hall Buildings will be converted into a world-class art gallery to showcase Singapore and regional art. It will also serve as a venue for International Art Exhibitions. Victoria Concert Hall and Victoria Theatre will also be refurbished and the Asian Civilisations Museum at Armenian Street will be converted into a Peranakan museum. In 2006, MICA will organise the first Singapore International Visual Arts Biennale

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to showcase the works of artists from Singapore, our region and Asia. These developments will broaden, deepen and strengthen our cultural capital to contribute towards realising our vision of Singapore as a Global Arts City.

6 Our citizenry will become better informed and attuned to global trends. To provide greater choice for Singaporeans, we shall introduce more content classification for media and entertainment choices. However, we will continue to ensure that the public space remains wholesome. Greater choice means that individuals must take greater responsibility for what they and their families choose to watch.

FULFILLING LIVES: 7 MICA will continue to develop the Creative Industries as a key driver of Singapore’s economy. This will spark off new employment opportunities in such areas as industrial and web design, film, television, fashion, mobile content, video and on-line games, publishing and music recording. Through the Renaissance City 2.0, Design Singapore and Media 21 Programmes, more resources will be channelled towards the development of creative capabilities in order to build up our talent pool.

8The info-communication technology (ICT) sector will also continue to be a key engine of growth and a major creator of jobs. The Infocomm Development Authority will seek strategic partners to deploy new technologies and business models, such as business process outsourcing, grid technology, 3G mobile telephony and digital media. MICA will also seek partners to enhance Singapore’s broadband infrastructure. As part of the Connected Singapore Blueprint, all users in Singapore will enjoy pervasive and high-speed broadband access, through both wired and wireless means.

EMBRACING SINGAPORE: 9We shall continue to make Singapore the BEST home for all Singaporeans, engaging Singaporeans and international talents both at home and abroad to build a better Singapore. We shall reinforce national resilience by strengthening the ties between all our citizens and re-connect with Singaporeans abroad to enhance their sense of belonging. We will encourage Singaporeans to make greater use of our National Flag and National symbols to express our Singaporean identity.

10 We will strive to raise awareness of developments and opportunities in Singapore amongst our international partners through cultural diplomacy. MICA will leverage on our arts and culture to project Singapore. In 2005, MICA working with public and private sector partners will launch the Inaugural Singapore Season in London. This aims to boost the international profile of Singapore arts and culture, and present Singapore in a holistic manner to complement our strong business and efficiency reputation. Through such national marketing efforts, MICA will celebrate Singapore’s unique cosmopolitan and multi-cultural heritage so that Singaporeans and the world will feel Singapore is "The Place To Be".