Developing the next generation of arts practitioners

Professor Brenda Yeoh, Vice Provost (Graduate Education), NUS

Professor Robbie Goh, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUS

Dr Eugene Tan, Director, National Gallery Singapore

Mrs Rosa Daniel, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good afternoon to all of you. It is my pleasure to join everyone here today at the launch of the Minor in Art History, set up in collaboration between NUS and National Gallery Singapore.

2. The programme marks a welcome partnership between NUS and Gallery, which brings educators and practitioners together to develop capabilities in young Singaporeans who are interested in the arts.

3. Thanks to the good work of Dr Eugene Tan, and NUS professors, Dr Maurizio Peleggi, Associate Professor Valerie Wee and Associate Professor Terence Lee, the programme curriculum will situate the study of art history within the local and regional context. We expect the programme to remain relevant and practical in the development of Singapore as a centre for learning, practice and discourse in the arts.

Sustaining a climate for critical thinking and content development in the arts and cultural sector

4. Singapore’s arts and cultural sector has made good progress and more Singaporeans are now seeing the value of the arts. Participation in arts activities has increased, together with visitorship to our museums and heritage institutions.

5. We are also collaborating with arts and cultural institutions, such as Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Tate Britain in London, to increase our offerings and bring exciting and new exhibitions to our shores. At the same time, we are committed to raising our artists’ profile overseas and growing new audiences for Singapore art through participation in key international events such as the Venice Biennale and Singapore Biennale.

6. As we build our arts ecosystem, we need to acquire knowledge in art history, particularly of Singapore and Southeast Asian art, as well ascontent development. These skills will support our art professionals in developing and curating content that resonates with Singaporeans.

7. To this end, the study of art history plays an integral role. The ability to understand a work of art in its cultural and historical context connects us to our past, helps us to navigate the present, and enables us to imagine the future. It provides us with the critical and analytical skills to make sense of our society, and broaden our understanding of who we are as Singaporeans and how we relate to the rest of the world.

8. The study of art history will also deepen our understanding of Singapore’s multi-ethnic, multi-racial communities, and how they interact with one another to form a uniquely multicultural Singaporean identity.

Developing the next generation of arts practitioners

9. We need more art practitioners to grow and sustain the capabilities of our art and cultural institutions. Hence, we welcome programmes like the Minor in Art History, which provide additional pathways for young Singaporeans to pursue arts-related careers. I must say that we are delighted here in MCCY, it is two years in the making, we have been anticipating this for a long time, much longer than we should I think. It is really something that Singapore needs, and I think it will be very important in shaping how our cultural institutions will display its work, communicate its work, and to connect with Singaporeans going forward.

10. Through such programmes, we hope to nurture future generations of arts practitioners who can contribute more quality offerings, and grow the vibrancy and diversity of Singapore’s arts and cultural sector.

11. I am happy to note that the Minor in Art History will benefit from the experience of existing arts practitioners. Hence, I would like to commend the curators from the Gallery for sharing their time, expertise, and passion for the arts with students, as lecturers and supervisors in the programme.

12. Students taking the Minor in Art History will also be offered opportunities for on-the-job training through internships with the Gallery. This will equip our future arts practitioners with the knowledge and practical skills to be relevant to the sector.

Partnerships between the public and private sectors

13. Today’s launch is an excellent example of how academia and our museums can work together to nurture a sustainable base of talent for the arts and cultural sector. We welcome more of such partnerships, which not only support the creation of art but also open up more avenues for art practitioners to develop their capabilities.

Conclusion

14. Congratulations to NUS and National Gallery Singapore on the launch of the Minor in Art History. I wish the programme every success, and look forward to contributions by future generations of art practitioners as they take Singapore’s arts and cultural sector even further.

15. Thank you.