Developing our talent to grow Singapore's arts and heritage scene

Professor Chan Heng Chee, Chair of the National Arts Council
Ms Kathy Lai, CEO of the National Arts Council
Mrs Rosa Daniel, CEO of the National Heritage Board
Parents and scholarship recipients
Ladies and Gentlemen

1. First, let me extend my heartiest congratulations to all our Arts & Heritage scholarship recipients. This is a proud and special moment for all of you as you embark on the next phase of your artistic journey. I look forward to your future as an active contributor to Singapore's arts and culture sector.
   

A diversity of interests

2. This year, we have a total of 22 scholars. 17 are NAC scholars and five of them are NHB scholars.

3. Among the NHB scholars, Alexandra [Tan] and Rachel [Eng] will be pursuing their Bachelor of Arts in History in London; [Ong] Chiew Yen, Bernard [Tan] and Kezia [Toh], will be embarking on postgraduate degree courses.

4. All 5 share a strong interest in our past and history, and I'm sure their training will equip them with skills to support and strengthen heritage development in Singapore.

5. For example, some of you may have seen Kezia's byline in the newspapers, but you might not know that she has been a volunteer guide with the museums since last year. Through the course of her work in journalism and as a museum volunteer, her passion for history has grown. So now, she will be embarking on a Masters Programme in Museum Studies at the University College London in the UK.

6. To our NHB scholars, I look forward to your return and your future contributions in getting our public to be more interested in our heritage, and bringing our rich heritage to life.

7. Likewise, I am confident that our 17 NAC scholars will help to raise the level of artistic excellence and discourse in our arts scene, and foster the growth of our community. There is a good mix of artistic pursuits,

   1. Bevin [Ng] is doing his degree in art history

   2. Tricia [Chee] and [Seet] Yun Teng are pursuing their degrees in Fine Arts.

   3. Two are focusing on music – Reuben [Raman] and [Chua] Jon Lin

   4. Three are focusing on Drama and Theatre – Mark [Ng], Stella [Cheung] and Melissa [Ho].

   5. Another three – [Nah] Jie Ying, Zunnur Zhafirah Binte Sazali and [Goh] Jia Yin – are pursuing their degrees in dance.

   6. Also have 6 artists doing post-graduate studies in diverse areas like anthropology, art history, art therapy, music and writing – [Ho] Rui An, Joleen [Loh], [Lee] Sze-Chin, Dedric [Wong], Joel [Nah], and Amanda [Lee]

8. To our NAC scholars, I look forward to your progress as artists, as you learn to tell stories of our country, culture and identity through the arts.

9. I hope that all of will make the most of this opportunity to learn, grow and hone your abilities. And come back to help us develop and grow Singapore as a vibrant cultural city.
   

Exciting times ahead

10. This is an exciting time to be in the arts and heritage sectors.

11. The government is stepping up investments in culture. In fact, at a time when most countries worldwide are cutting back their budgets for the arts and heritage due to fiscal constraints, we are one of the very few countries that is spending more. We are doing so in several ways:

    a. We are increasing direct funding for arts and heritage groups, and are also encouraging private sector contributions through the Cultural Matching Fund.   We are also providing more opportunities for our artists to perform internationally, and have set aside resources for this through our Cultural Diplomacy Fund.

    b. We are creating more spaces for the arts, for example, through dedicated spaces like the Aliwal Arts Centre, which opened last year, and the new Centre42, which is dedicated to writing and text-based works.

    c. We are refreshing our existing cultural icons. We've just completed the refurbishment of Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall with an open house over the weekend, and we will be embarking on a revamp of the Asian Civilisations Museum and National Museum later this year. We are also creating new icons, particularly the National Gallery which will be opening at the end of next year.

    d. We are making arts and heritage more accessible to the community, through a wide range of community initiatives.  This includes partnering with community groups and VWOs, as well as setting up a Public Art Trust to seed more public art in high-traffic areas around the city and the heartlands.

12. Many of the projects I described are not once-off initiatives, but have medium- to longer-term implications. So I would like to assure all our scholars here today, that there will be plenty of exciting things to work on when you return.
    

A calling for the arts & heritage

13. Whether you return from your studies as a policy developer, specialist or arts practitioner, all of you can play a part in contributing to a more culturally enriching and fulfilling environment for Singaporeans to enjoy.

14. So I hope you see your work as going beyond that of a job or a career. It's really a special calling – to make the most of your artistic talents, and to share that gift in ways that can uplift individual lives, strengthen our communities, and shape our nation's cultural development.

15. Through your work in the arts and heritage, you will be helping to strengthen the Singaporean identity. You will be continuing in the fine tradition of the NAC and NHB scholars who have gone before you, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in their fields and key pillars in our cultural scene.

16. So if you continue to hone your skills and stay committed to your craft, I am confident that all of you will be able to make an impact, with your unique energies and talents.
    

Conclusion

17. Before I conclude, I also want to recognise the people behind the scholars. I believe all our scholars here owe their successes and accomplishments not just to their own hard work and talent, but also to many supportive friends and families.

18. So I would like to pay tribute to the family members and loved ones who are here today - You have played, and will continue to play, an important role in helping them pursue their passion. And I am sure that they are grateful to you for your unwavering support.

19. And lastly, to our scholars: continue to work hard and excel in everything you do. Make full use of every opportunity you have.

20. At the same time, always remember the community that made it possible for you to pursue your passion. Find ways to give back in service to the community and its people. Most importantly, contribute to the rich tapestry of our cultural heritage, and help to make Singapore a better home for all of us.