SINGAPORE: The National Arts Council (NAC) will launch the Arts for All - Community Arts Engagement Plan on October 11. S$1 million will be invested annually for the next five years to bring about deeper engagement of the arts among Singaporeans.

A decade ago, one in 10 Singaporeans participated in at least one arts activity a year. But today, one-third do so. The NAC hopes to reach out to the other two-thirds as part of the Arts for All plan.

Lee Suan Hiang, CEO, National Arts Council, said: "Some people may think that the arts is only for the rich and elite and they might feel out of place going to a museum, gallery or the Esplanade.

"By bringing arts to the people and heartlands, we want to make it accessible to them. We want to make it easy for them to enjoy the arts and we believe that once they have tried and enjoyed the arts, they would have to come back for more.

"The greatest challenge is to make them take the first step. And by bringing arts to their doorstep, we make it very easy for them to participate in the arts."

The plan comprises two pillars - ArtREACH and ArtLink. ArtREACH encourages the public to be participative art-makers through quality interactive programmes.

ArtLink will connect people with artists to integrate arts into public spaces, including prisons, hospitals and workplaces. - CNA/vm