Healing through the arts

• A very good afternoon. I am very happy to join you at Healing Arts Singapore today.

• As Asia’s first country-wide arts and health activation, Healing Arts Singapore marks an important step forward in deepening our understanding of how the arts can support health and wellbeing throughout different stages of life.

Rising social needs in an ageing society

• This work is important in the context of the demographic and social shifts that Singapore and many other societies around the world are facing. In Singapore in particular, by 2030, around one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above.

• At the same time, mental health concerns have also risen across age groups. The National Youth Mental Health Study found that about one in three young people in Singapore, between the ages of 15 and 35, have experienced severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress.

• We are also seeing complex needs among vulnerable families, caregivers, persons with disabilities, and those living with chronic conditions. Addressing these challenges requires holistic, community-driven approaches that look beyond traditional medical models and recognise the wider factors that shape our wellbeing.

• This is where social prescribing plays a valuable role. It connects people with non-medical sources of support within their community, such as arts activities, community groups, and charities. It improves social determinants of health by fostering understanding of wellbeing and providing meaningful activities. Healing is not only medical – it is also social and emotional.

A growing recognition of the role of the arts in social prescribing

• Healing Arts Singapore reflects a growing recognition that the arts contribute to social prescribing. By connecting people to arts, music, and cultural activities, we offer new ways to enhance the wellbeing of seniors seeking stimulation, individuals managing stress, caregivers needing respite, and anyone benefitting from creative expression.

• One of the three pillars in Our SG Arts Plan (2023 – 2027) is to leverage the arts to develop Singapore as a connected society. Undergirding this is a clear message – the arts can enhance wellbeing, deepen belonging and social connection, and help us navigate complex social challenges.

• You would have heard from an earlier keynote address that the National Arts Council (NAC) is working with key partners, SingHealth Community Hospitals and Agency for Integrated Care, to develop a framework by 2027 to guide the design of arts programmes to promote health and wellbeing.

  • The framework will include best practices, impact measurement tools, and case studies for use by artists and community partners.

  • It aims to open up opportunities for arts practitioners to use their craft to support wellbeing, while increasing access to the arts through health and community touchpoints, in support of Healthier SG objectives for seniors and the wider population.

• MCCY and NAC, together with our partners, have also expanded access to the arts into the heartlands through the ArtsEverywhere@CDC initiative.

  • This initiative brings performances and workshops into community spaces like community clubs, town squares, and libraries, close to where residents live.

  • It encourages residents, including seniors, to stay connected, have fun, and explore meaningful outlets for self-expression.

  • I saw how the arts can draw people together. The smiles on residents’ faces were a powerful reminder of its impact.

  • We will continue expanding the reach of the arts to support social and mental wellbeing in the community.

• To build deeper appreciation of our local arts and cultural offerings, the SG Culture Pass provides credits for Singaporeans to explore a wide range of local arts and heritage programmes and offerings. This lowers cost barriers, supports arts groups, and creates opportunities to spark joy and connection.

Recognising participants for advancing social prescribing

• The arts and health community has been instrumental in advancing social prescribing. Initiatives like ArtsEverywhere@CDC would not have been possible without your support. Through diverse art forms, you have sparked conversations about wellbeing and strengthened social connections. These efforts contribute to a more empathetic and inclusive society.

• Healing Arts Singapore brings together the people who make these initiatives possible – arts and heritage practitioners, medical practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and community partners. Collaboration between the arts and health sectors is key to driving innovation, sharing best practices, and amplifying the impact of arts and health initiatives.

• Looking ahead, I hope to see more partnerships harnessing the arts to enhance wellbeing. Tomorrow, the Centre for Music and Health at NUS will launch the Tools for Health Research and Evaluation in Arts and Heritage (THRivE) Toolkit.

  • This comprehensive guide will help arts and heritage practitioners design evaluation and research studies to examine the impact of arts and heritage programmes on health and wellbeing.

  • Building a strong evidence base through such studies will help scale effective initiatives.

  • I look forward to seeing how the toolkit supports innovation, collaboration, and better wellbeing for Singaporeans.

Closing

• In closing, I congratulate the organisers and partners of Healing Arts Singapore. Your commitment reminds us that the arts are also expressions of care, compassion, and community. The arts will remain vital in strengthening our collective wellbeing and building a more socially connected society.

• Thank you, and I wish everyone an inspiring and enriching experience at Healing Arts Singapore.