ArtsEverywhere @ CDC celebrates Singapore’s multicultural heritage through the arts

Mayors,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to join you today at Our Tampines Hub for ArtsEverywhere @ CDC.

What we set out to do, and what we found

2. When we launched this nationwide initiative in July 2024, we had only three simple things we wanted to do:

   1. Bring quality arts experiences everywhere in the heartlands,

   2. Give our artists more platforms to perform and to grow new audiences; and

   3. To make moments where Singaporeans could come together through the arts.

3. Two years on, ArtsEverywhere @ CDC has organised over 500 performances — from larger-scale arts groups to street performers — and we have reached more than 154,000 residents across Singapore. And residents feel the magic of ArtsEverywhere.

   1. Nine in ten said their neighbourhoods felt livelier; and

   2. Eight in ten said they came away with a better cultural appreciation especially of cultures different from their own.

4. That tells us we are on the right track, and we want to do more.

Celebrating our multicultural heritage

5. Arts Everywhere is also a platform where we celebrate, and we live out our multiculturalism as a community. As Singaporeans, we are proud of the harmonious and cohesive multicultural society that we have built, and we need to continue to strengthen this, by developing the curiosity and appreciation for cultures in addition to our own.

6. We can do so through the arts. When we watch a performance together, we move from awareness to appreciation, from shared spaces to shared experiences – and it is through these shared experiences that we appreciate, and we strengthen our multicultural heritage.

What we are doing next

7. This year, we will raise the bar for ArtsEverywhere in three ways.

   1. First, deeper cross-cultural programming. Today’s programming is inspired by excerpts from Aneka Ragam Rakyat from the 1960s. I know we have some pioneers here who were part of that performance, but I will not say who they are, because to me, they are forever 18.  It includes specially curated performances featuring Apsaras Dance Company, led by Cultural Medallion recipient, Mr Aravinth, presenting the 2,000-year-old tradition of Bharatanatyam, and Era Dance Theatre, a Malay dance company led by fellow Cultural Medallion artist, Mr Osman – alongside Re Xin Opera Association and The Music Men.

   2. Together, they share the same stage to showcase multiculturalism in action, blending dance and music from across Singapore's communities.

8. Second, wider reach. ArtsEverywhere @ CDC will continue to bring performances to more neighbourhood shopping centres, community parks and integrated hubs — wherever Singaporeans are. This year, we are adding new locations in Ang Mo Kio Central Stage, Kovan Hub and Parc Point. 

9. Finally, ArtsEverywhere @ CDC will provide more opportunities for all our artists to grow and to thrive. With more performances taking place islandwide, we are creating more opportunities for Singaporeans in the arts industry over the next year, including for artists, production crew and emcees, and this is so that all our artists can get out there, showcase their good work, and build more audiences so that Singaporeans can enjoy their work.

10. Let us continue supporting our artists, and be a part of building a vibrant local arts scene that all of us can be proud of.  

11. At this point, I would like to thank our artists for sharing your craft so generously, and to the CDCs, NAC, and our Mayors for making this possible. Can we give them a big round of applause please.

12. I wish all of us a great day watching the performances, taking part in all the activities, and learning more about what truly makes us Singaporean.

13. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy today’s programme.