SINGAPORE: Asian art performances are enjoying growing popularity in America and Europe.

Presently about 50 such acts are staged each year in America alone.

And ticket sales for such performances have gone up by about 20 per cent over the last 10 years.

"Born Again" by Korea's Trust Dance Company is just one of 17 performances on show at this year's Asian Arts Mart in Singapore.

But it is not all song and dance for the artists.

Off stage, they join 300 other participants including arts buyers from all over the world, to network and discuss possible collaborations on upcoming projects.

"In some ways, I think Asia sort of has a late start in the arts that only now the arts is beginning to feature prominently in many of the Asian countries - China, Korea, Singapore and the other part of the region too.

"I think we all need to get together and find out what each other is doing and we can learn a lot more and speed up the whole process of development. And people from all over the world come here and see what they're doing and then learn from there. And possibly bring these to their countries," says JP Nathan, Programming Director at the Esplanade.

Even though this is only the 4th Asian Arts Mart, it has helped several Asian artists break into the world market.

A Korean drum group showcased here four years ago is now on tour in Europe, and has even set up an office in London.

An Australian dance group is now in talks to perform in America.

"There's a real interest in popular expressions of Asian artists who have listened to Western music, popular music and then done something totally different with it. Whether that's in rock or roll or whether that's in jazz, I see a growing demand. It's obviously still a niche," says Shelton G Stanfill, Former CEO, Woodruff Arts Centre, America.

And making the best of that niche is the target of the three-day bi-annual Asian Arts Mart, organised by The Esplanade. - CNA/yy