SINGAPORE: From August, residents across Singapore will be able to enjoy a regular pipeline of arts experiences such as performances, workshops and activities.
The two-year initiative, titled ArtsEverywhere@CDC, was jointly launched on Saturday (Jul 27) by the National Arts Council (NAC), People’s Association (PA) and the five Community Development Councils (CDCs).
By bringing the arts to the heartlands, such experiences will be “more accessible for residents of all ages to enjoy and engage with the arts together, in the vicinity of their homes”, the authorities said.
There will be large-scale monthly performances at two anchor venues in each district, including fringe arts and culture activities, with an expected reach of over 50,000 residents, they added.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative, which was attended by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong and fellow mayors, South East District mayor Fahmi Aliman said it was in line with the Our SG Arts Plan to “build a connected community”.
“We are dedicated to bringing a variety of art experiences to our neighbourhoods. Every month, members of the public can look forward to arts performances … and develop a greater appreciation for the arts through these shared experiences.”
In a Facebook post, Mr Tong said the “quality arts content”, ranging from dance and music to theatre performances, could enhance the “kampong spirit” in Singapore.
The authorities added it would support the growth of local arts companies by helping them reach and develop audiences.
“Through the re-staging and adaptation of works for different settings, artists and arts groups can increase their audience base and generate more awareness of their art forms,” they said.
“We hope this initiative will continue creating new job opportunities for artists and arts groups as more audiences, partners and stakeholders encounter and come to appreciate their works.”
North East District mayor Desmond Choo added that artists and arts companies need to have access to resources and opportunities in order to “flourish and thrive”.
Some of the artists performing from August to October as part of the initiative include NADI Singapura, an ensemble that fuses traditional Malay instruments with dancing and singing, Brahmastra, an Indian fusion collective led by classical flautist Niranjan Pandian, Ding Yi Music Company, a Chinese chamber ensemble that will play classics from the late Teresa Teng to ABBA, and the acclaimed Philharmonic Wind Orchestra.
Other events include percussion and drumming workshops, eco and origami workshops, and various art installations.
Information on the programme details can be found on the ArtsEverywhere@CDC website.