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Arts & Heritage
3 March 2022
2020 was challenging for the arts and culture sector with attendance and visitorship falling sharply as expected due to COVID-19, according to the 2021 Singapore Cultural Statistics (SCS).
Attendance and visitorship for arts and culture fell sharply in 2020 as anticipated: arts and culture activities and events were cancelled or significantly scaled down as a consequence of COVID-19, according to the 2021 Singapore Cultural Statistics (SCS).
Attendance at arts and culture events:
Non-ticketed arts and culture events dropped to 32% of 2019’s attendance (4.4 million in 2020 compared to 13.6 million in 2019)
Ticketed attendance for performing arts events was at 9% of 2019’s level (around 180,000 in 2020 compared to almost 2 million in 2019).
Visitorship to institutions in the Museum Roundtable (comprising over 50 public and private museums and heritage galleries) dropped to 32% of 2019’s numbers (3.1 million in 2020 compared to 9.6 million in 2019).
NON-TICKETED ATTENDANCE AT ARTS AND CULTURE EVENTS
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
9,536,519 | 11,308,550 | 11,714,936 | 13,647,967 | 4,420,348 |
Includes attendance at performing arts events organised and supported by the National Arts Council, Esplanade and the People's Association, and events organised by the National Heritage Board (NHB) such as the Museum Outreach and the Singapore Heritage Fest. The figure excludes incidental viewership and events where attendance figures are unable to be determined. Non-ticketed heritage events may also include some performing arts elements.
Source: National Arts Council, People's Association and National Heritage Board (data from People’s Association includes non-ticketed digital attendance).
TICKETED ATTENDANCE AT PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
1,812,697 | 1,911,266 | 2,194,844 | 1,991,950 | 181,217 |
Performing Arts refer to folk, traditional, classical and contemporary forms of dance, music (pop/rock concerts included) and theatre.
Ticketed attendance refers to attendance at performing arts events that require a ticket for entry. It includes tickets sold and complimentary tickets issued.
Source: National Arts Council and People’s Association (data from People’s Association includes ticketed digital attendance)
MUSEUM ROUNDTABLE VISITORSHIP
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
8,357,178 | 8,588,120 | 8,277,999 | 9,594,098 | 3,053,399 |
Total Museums Roundtable visitorship includes visitorship to both public and private museums and galleries.
Source: National Heritage Board
VISITORSHIP TO NATIONAL MUSEUMS AND HERITAGE INSTITUTIONS
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
5,119,976 | 5,416,324 | 5,386,651 | 5,777,502 | 2,099,509 |
Source: National Heritage Board, National Library Board, Singapore Art Museum and National Gallery Singapore