Celebrating the Patrons of the Arts

Professor Chan Heng Chee, Chairman, National Arts Council

Patrons and supporters of the arts

Ladies and Gentlemen

1. Good evening. It is my pleasure to be here tonight, as we thank and honour all of you for your contributions to the arts in Singapore.

2. What makes a great city? Great cities are more than densely populated business or transportation hubs. A city is like a state of mind, reflecting our unique identity and values. The shared culture of a city binds its people across demographic and socioeconomic divides. It brings us closer together and inspires conversations about our past, present and future. It tells the story of who we are and what makes us Singaporean.

Building a sustainable arts and cultural scene

3. I'm glad to see significant progress in Singapore's arts and cultural scene over the last three decades. More patrons have also stepped forward to give to the arts as we celebrated Singapore's Golden Jubilee – be it through cash contributions, business expertise, or volunteering your precious time.

4. I'm encouraged to note that a total of $136 million in cash and kind was donated by 330 corporate and individual patrons, the highest amount raised in the 33-year history of the Awards.

5. Thank you for choosing to give to the arts. Your contributions have helped to build a sustainable and robust arts and culture scene in Singapore.

Inspiring collective ownership for the arts and culture

6. When we give to the arts, we also support the creation of art that resonates with Singaporeans. To encourage giving to the art and culture sector, the Government launched the Cultural Matching Fund in November 2013. This provides dollar-for-dollar matching for cash donations raised by our arts and cultural organisations.

7. I'm happy to say that the response has been overwhelming, with a steady increase in applications. To date, we have received applications for more than $140 million from over 80 arts and heritage groups.

8. This close partnership between the public and private sectors provides a more diverse and sustainable source of funding, allowing arts organisations to chart their long-term development and provide better offerings for the audience.

9. Your support has helped artists go further with their work and do Singapore proud on the international stage. Groups like the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Bhaskar's Arts Academy, Teater Ekamatra and Siong Leng Musical Association have performed to critical acclaim overseas, enthralling audiences in cities like Bangkok, Beijing, Berlin, Kuala Lumpur, New York and Toronto.

10. Many arts groups also provide platforms to train and grow youth talents, such as Singapore Repertory Theatre's The Young Co. Through your support, these groups are able to cultivate young artists and provide opportunities for youths to realize their aspirations. More importantly, it is an investment in the long-term sustainability of our arts sector.

Benefiting communities through arts and culture

11. By giving to the arts, you also support the creation of arts programmes that benefit wider communities in Singapore. For example, contemporary dance theatre THE ARTS FISSION staged a multi-disciplinary, inter-generational performance that empowered seniors, children and community volunteers by placing them in dramatic roles. Another example is The Necessary Stage, which helps seniors with a passion for theatre keep active through its Theatre for Seniors programme.

12. Our young audiences have also benefited from your support. Many experiential learning spaces such as the Keppel Centre for Arts Education and the Children's Centre for Creativity by Playeum have emerged, to help children develop creativity and confidence through the arts.

Conclusion

13. Every contribution counts towards furthering artistic development and excellence in Singapore. Your generosity not only demonstrates your confidence in our artists and arts groups, but also your conviction in the value of a vibrant arts landscape.

14. Most of all, your support empowers the arts to continue transforming communities. It helps people from diverse backgrounds come together through the arts to celebrate life, create shared memories, and express themselves.

15. So on behalf of the National Arts Council and all Singaporeans, I would like to say a very big “thank you” for your continued support and I hope your spirit of giving will encourage others to do the same.

16. Thank you all for your generosity and I wish all of you a pleasant evening ahead.