Opening up opportunities for local art practitioners at Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA)

Question

Mr Terence Ho Wee San: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether there is enough emphasis on the local arts scene in the Singapore International Festival of Arts 2020 (SIFA); and (b) what percentage of the programmes and productions presented are from overseas.

Response

Minister Grace Fu:

1. NAC believes Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) as our pinnacle arts festival, should be a platform for Singaporean arts groups to create exciting new works. It seeks to profile and open up opportunities for local arts practitioners as a highlight in our cultural calendar. In the past two years, half of all productions and programmes at SIFA involve local artists. This will continue to be the case for future SIFA editions.

2. NAC has decided to cancel SIFA 2020 in view of the current challenges posed by COVID-19.