How relevant is the arts scene to the people in your country?

In recent years, the government has been stepping up on their efforts to

promote the arts scene in Singapore. Increasingly every year, there are more
and more arts festivals organised to cater to the different needs of the
population, take for example the Singapore Arts Festival which just ended
recently, and the SUN Festival and so on. The governments efforts to expose us
to the various forms of the Arts has to a large extent been well-received by the
public. Thus, I would say that the arts scene in Singapore is largely relevant to
the people.
There are different functions of the arts and one of them is to create social
awareness in a society. Thus, the people in the society will be able to gain more
knowledge on important issues. Take for example, the use of Forum Theatre in
Singapore. Forum Theatre is an interactive form of theatre which encourages
audience participation, coming up with different ways to solve a particular issue.
Even though Forum Theatre was banned from the late 80s to the early 90s in
Singapore, it was later allowed after relaxation of rules from the government.
The Necessary Stage is known for their use of Forum Theatre in Singapore, and
one of their most powerful plays entitled Complete with/out character talks
about the controversial AIDS issue in Singapore. It brought the hearts and minds
of the people together, creating consciousness in those who may or may not
have known about the much taboo subject of AIDS. Thus, the use of Forum
Theatre in our local arts scene has been relevant to many Singaporeans as it
opened their eyes to the otherwise uncomfortable issue of AIDS, allowing them
to deeper understand and express their views on the issue. In addition, in this
years M1 Fringe Festival, the Necessary Stage also staged thought-provoking
plays like Model Citizens, which enabled theatre audiences to reflect on issues
arising in todays modern society.
Another function of the arts is that it is also a tool for self-expression.
Increasingly in Singapore, the government has encouraged the use of art to
express ones individuality. Take for example the recent designs of the 2011
National Day Parade goodie bag, designed by a secondary student, a
polytechnic student, and a working adult. Despite their different backgrounds,
all of their ideas were put together to come up with the final product of a goodie
bag which represents what Singapore means to them, through paintings and a
collage of words representing the uniqueness of Singapore which creatively
forms the shape of Singapore. Therefore, the use of the arts can also be used to
express ones patriotism towards Singapore, thus creating a sense of national
identity which people will be able to relate to.
The arts can also document the history of a place, thus allowing viewers to
understand history through another form. Take for example the Terracotta
Warriors exhibition now showcasing at the Asian Civilisation Museum. These
mysterious life-sized clay structures of soldiers and horses were dug up from
Emperor Qin Shi Huangs massive tomb. Moreover, what was even more

surprising was the high aesthetic levels and intricacy of each of the warriors, like
how each of them has a different facial expression. Exhibitions like this engage
the people as they are awesome and museum goers get a rare opportunity to
get a first-hand experience viewing these overwhelming structures, thus
educating them more on the history of China.
Furthermore in this day and age, the world is now more interconnected and
people are curious to know what is happening in different parts of the world.
Therefore, the government also brings in international acts to garner the interest
of the public in the arts and expose them to its various forms. With the opening
of the Marina Bay Sands, Singaporeans now get to enjoy world-renowned
productions like The Lion King Musical, Thriller, Cirque Eloize and the music of
Andrew Floyd Webber. These performances are eye openers and stir the publics
interests, making them enjoy the different forms of art, be it a musical or a
theatrical circus. In addition, even if our preference is not watching musicals, we
are not left out too, as more and more international pop idols, be it Taylor Swift,
Justin Bieber or even K-pop idols, are coming to this little red dot for concert
tours. These concerts are also brought in to cater mainly to the tastes of
teenagers, who never fail to buy the best seats available despite their
shockingly high prices. Be it high art or low art, the government has
meticulously brought in shows that cater to a wide variety of tastes and
preferences, thus making the arts relevant to the people in the country.
Nevertheless, the arts scene in Singapore may not always be relevant and
suitable for all audiences. Singapore still imposes strict censorship rules and
regulations on certain films and plays. Some of local director Royston Tans films
for example, have been deemed inappropriate because of controversial content
and thus not approved by the censorship committee in Singapore. Therefore,
when art works contain content that is sensitive and controversial which may
create unhappiness amongst racial and racial and religious groups and incite
unrest in society, they may be censored.
In conclusion, the arts scene in Singapore is booming and on the rise and no
matter what age, backgrounds, or inclinations one has, there is always
something for everyone to enjoy. The huge variety of art forms has thus made
the arts scene relevant to the people in Singapore, enriching, inspiring and
stimulating all at the same time.
Ang Jia Min, 11S62
Well analysed and substantiated with relevant examples.