The National Arts Council from Singapore has officially provided financial backing to 62 registered cultural groups. Financial support was be given in 2016 via the Major Grant and Seed Grant schemes. A total of SGD16.2 million is allocated for the grants, making it a huge increase of SGD1.1 million compared to 2015. The grant which spans for a period of 3 years aims to develop Singapore's cultural scene by sourcing for the best talent and grooming future artistic managers. The grant is one of Singapore's strategies to showcase Singapore's culture to the world and cement its status as the world's leading cultural hub. Singapore hope the grant can help cultural groups identify upcoming talent in the dance performance, literature and drama scene and provide sufficient funding.
In 2016 alone, there will be 25 award recipients for the Major Grant scheme. Previously in 2014 and 2015, a total of 19 art organizations received the grant. The award recipients will be able to enhance their organization resources and have deeper pockets to develop new cultural ideas that can bring the Singapore community together. Some of the recipients are industry stalwarts such as TheatreWorks and Bhaskar Arts Academy. Among the recipient includes dance production companies and musical production companies. They are well-established and work hard behind the scenes to bring out the best in traditional and modern culture for Singapore.
In 2016 alone, there will be 5 first-time award recipients for the Seed Grant Scheme. Previously in 2014 and 2015, a total of 13 organizations benefitted from the scheme. Some of the recipients include Sing Lit Station and National Poetry Festival. The Seed Grant aims to help rising art companies and startups kick start their operations and launch future cultural programs. Visitors can visit the National Art Council website for a complete list of the recipient of the grants.
The Singapore Art Council's tactic of increasing financial funding is to nurture intermediary cultural associations which plays and important role in the development of arts industry. The Council is also placing huge emphasis on traditional arts with the result of 12 new traditional arts group receiving the grants. Singapore Art Council is happy with the success of the schemes as 8 former recipient of the Seed Grant are now qualified for the Major Grant in 2016. These groups, ranging from Hokkien cultural arts group to traditional photography group, have attained major growth from the success of their cultural programmes which were well received by the public.
The CEO of Singapore Art Council has been providing full support to the cultural arts scene in Singapore via the grant schemes. It is the personal aspiration of the CEO to ensure the financial backing continues and that the funding be able to provide further inspiration to content creators and cultural arts practitioners. The CEO hopes to see more support from the public audience including private corporations under the volatile economic environment. The grants were awarded to some of Singapore's best creative talents and it is in her wish that local public and continues their support. Singapore Art Council will be refining the Major Grant terms in order to encourage continuity in art development. The council will be working closely with the arts group in order to help broaden their income base and attract new target audience, without sacrificing artistic excellence.
The National Arts Council champions the arts in Singapore. By nurturing creative excellence and supporting broad audience engagement, our diverse and distinctive arts inspire our people, connect communities and profile Singapore internationally. We preserve our rich, cultural traditions as we cultivate accomplished artists and vibrant companies for the future. Our support for the arts is comprehensive – from grants and partnerships to industry facilitation and arts housing. The Council welcomes greater private and corporate giving to and through the arts so that together we can make the arts an integral part of everyone's lives.
The National Arts Council has been awarded the Singapore Quality Class with People Excellence Award in 2018. The award is a national recognition for organisations that are committed to achieving business excellence with a total approach to managing people and attaining high performance through its people systems.
Singapore Art Week is an annual celebration of visual arts which takes place in the month of January. Jointly organised by the National Arts Council, Singapore Tourism Board and the Singapore Economic Development Board, Singapore Art Week is the leading, go-to visual arts season in Southeast Asia, attracting both local and international visitors alike.
The eighth edition in 2020 will be held from 11 to 19 January. The nine-day celebration of the visual arts will take place in various venues across Singapore, from galleries and museums to art precincts and unconventional spaces.