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SINGAPORE: Creating high value-added jobs for Singaporeans in specialised arts services such as conservation work, and attracting foreign artists to be based here are some of the initiatives under Phase 3 of the Renaissance City Plan to turn Singapore into a global city for arts and culture in 2015.
Interest in arts and cultural events is growing amongst Singaporeans, particularly those who are living in 1- to 3-room flats, as well as those in the Malay community.
The latest figures from the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) show a significant jump in participation at arts events amongst the 1- to 3-room flat dwellers from 19 per cent in 2002 to 28 per cent in 2005.
Participation from the Malay community also went up from 12 per cent in 2002 to 33 per cent in 2005.
The Singapore Cultural Statistics Report charts the growth of how Singaporeans responded to arts, heritage, library and film scenes from 2003 to 2007, and the growing interest is viewed as timely given that new jobs are expected to be created in this sector.
MICA will work with the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) to introduce arts-related courses for fresh graduates and mid-career individuals.
To make Singapore's arts scene more sustainable, the ministry also plans to launch a Dynamic Ecosystem to grow the arts infrastructure for art businesses, private museums and specialised art services.
Part of the plan includes the current Arts Housing Scheme at places like the Sculpture Square and Telok Kurau. Performance and visual artists will get more space – the equivalent of two soccer fields – when the current building housing the School of the Arts is included in the scheme in 2010.
The 148-year-old Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall will be closed in 2010 for a S$180 million refurbishment. There are also plans to redevelop the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings into a National Art Gallery.
These refurbishments are part of the plans to promote Singapore as an iconic arts destination in the global arena.
Adding to that, a new Artist Residency Scheme will be launched in early 2009 for arts professionals from Singapore, Asia and beyond to exchange ideas to create collaborative work.
With the economic downturn, large sponsorships may be dwindling but the ministry has other funding plans.
Senior Minister of State for Education and Information, Communications & the Arts Lui Tuck Yew said: "We are also looking at ways in which we can draw sponsorships that may be of smaller amounts from individuals. We are not just looking at the 1 million, 10 million contributions. But also maybe the ten dollars, five dollars that people, who feel increasingly a sense of ownership, would want to give back. We want to grow that aspect going forward."
The S$115 million Renaissance City Plan will be rolled out over five years.
- CNA/so
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