Inaugural Australia-Singapore Arts Group (ASAG) Meeting Paves Way for More Artist Exchanges and Collaborations

The Australia-Singapore Arts Group (ASAG) held its inaugural meeting yesterday at the National Museum Singapore. This builds on the commitment made at the joint signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Arts and Culture in June 2015, to further collaborations and strengthen the arts and cultural sectors of both countries.

Established in May 2016, the ASAG will strengthen arts and cultural partnerships between Singapore and Australia over the next five years.  

The meeting brought together representatives from the culture sector in both Singapore and Australia. The discussion focused on possible artist exchanges and showcases, as well as collaborative arts projects and co-curated exhibitions.  The group is heartened to see ongoing collaborations at various platforms such as Asia TOPA, OzAsia Festival and Brisbane Festival in Australia, as well as festivals like Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of the Arts at the Esplanade, Singapore Writers Festival, and various heritage and visual art events in Singapore.

"We are pleased to host the inaugural Australia-Singapore Arts Group meeting. The discussion was fruitful and mutually beneficial; we want to pave the way for artists, arts groups and cultural institutions from both countries to deepen relations. I look forward to more cultural collaborations and exchanges between our artists in the coming years." said Mrs Rosa Daniel, ASAG Singapore Co-Chair and Deputy Secretary (Culture), Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

“On behalf of the Australian members, I would like to thank Singapore for hosting the first meeting of the Australia-Singapore Arts Group under the broader banner of the Australian-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It has been an excellent opportunity for us to meet and discuss ways we can help build and strengthen our arts and cultural engagement. I look forward to continuing to work together to promote artistic and cultural activities and opportunities between our countries,” said Dr Mathew Trinca, ASAG Australia Co-Chair and Director of the National Museum of Australia.

The Australian delegation arrived in Singapore on 10 Jan 2017, and will depart on 14 Jan 2017. In addition to visiting the National Museum, the delegation will also visit the National Gallery Singapore, and Art After Dark, which is part of the Singapore Art Week. The next ASAG meeting will be held later in the year, in Australia.