Evaluation On Singapore’s Rebuild Of Her Art Scene

Evaluation On Singapore’s Rebuild Of Her Art Scene

Nanyang Technological University

School of Humanities & Social Sciences

Academic Communication in Linguistics and the Social Sciences (HW0208) - Research Paper

Assoc. Prof Keri Matwick

Tutorial Group SSS14

Name: Cheung Zi Qing Glenda

Word Count: 1375

Abstract
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There is an increase in art event vistations in Singapore within the recent years. Given that there
is a surge in visitation, it is inferred that locals are much more interested in the arts as compared
to previous years. Hence, the objective of the research aims to evaluate true effectiveness of
interest towards the arts within the locals. Surveys were conducted on the visitors, whether or not
they would pursue their interest in arts through involvements or further engagements. The
findings suggest that though there is a rise in visitations to art events, the figures for further
involvement for the arts was met with a decline. The observed phenomenon could be explained
by the motive of general curiosity or hype surrounding the recent art events. As much as
agencies like the government and councils have all roped in to salvage the dwindling art scene
locally, the effectiveness of these measures can only come to success if locals themselves are
motivated to appreciate the arts through involvement.

Keywords: The arts, art scene, involvements, engagements, true effectiveness, agencies.

1. Introduction
Given that Singapore has reigned triumphantly in areas of the tangible, aspects including
education, technology capacities and economy, an opportunity cost has incurred - a trade off
for her arts scene. Dubbed a “young market” for the arts, Singapore has lost her potency in
attracting regional artists as well as external art investors. This is largely due to her early
pursuit for the practical, emphasising on areas of Science, Technology and Economy. Art
was not a significant area of focus as it was not deemed as profitable or She loses out to
neighbours like Hong Kong and Indonesia who have both managed to improve their
infrastructure and capacities to facilitate art events and support their homegrown artists. (Tsui
2018) In a reactive response, the local government has since channeled billions of tax dollars,
trying to rebuild and encourage budding artists and locals to contribute to the lost art scene.
According to a report dated back in 2015, a whopping $595.7 million was funneled from the
government to promote the arts. (Ho 2017) This emphasises on the inherent fear and worries
the government has of the arts as the money could have been easily placed in other sectors
previously invested by the government.

By highlighting their concerns towards the arts, the hefty fundings seeks to encourage and
motivate fellow artists and even locals to participate and engage more within the scene. This
would later explain the rise in local involvement through visiting and attending art events.
Undeniably, it would seem that the measures are effective, given that locals seem to be more
involved in the arts through their attendance and seemingly enhanced attention- though is this
really as such?

Upon closer examination, we recognise that these visitations do not necessarily equate to true
appreciation and community involvement in the art scene. Detailing the disparity between
sustained interest and attendance, it is inferred that even though locals are attending these art
events, it does not mean they would be interested to contribute to the art scene. (Toh 2018)
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The term “sustained interest” would refer to the action of continuing to pursue the arts
perhaps at higher educational levels, attending paid art events and more. As we delve deeper,
we realise the follow up actions taken towards pursuing and appreciating the arts stops at
visitations.

To add onto the analysis, we have to take into account the timeframe in which we are
witnessing a surge in visitations. The data collected primarily saw a progress only after 2012,
which translates to a period of social media usage. In attempts to satisfy the desire to build a
pleasing “feed”, the public is much more inclined to appreciate the aesthetic value of the arts,
therefore visiting them more. As written by observers, “Social media can be an incredible
tool for generating excitement about an exhibition” (Sokolowsky 2017). This insinuates that
since social media has seeped inherently in today’s world, the rise in visitation could
arguably be seen as an inaccurate data on true arts appreciation. This is because the visitors
could simply be going to art events for the hype or trend they come across online.

Therefore, this begs the inquiry - to what extent have measures been made successful in
propelling locals to appreciate and contribute to Singapore’s dwindling art scene? Especially
in the modern age of heightened interests towards the arts globally, we want to analyse how
successful Singapore's measures have been, in hopes of salvaging her art scene.

2. The Aim of the Research

The aim is to find out what has contributed to the disparity between sustained interest and
attendance within locals towards the arts. The research sought answers to the following
inquiry:
1- What has been the trend for local art participation and attendance in recent years?
2- Do we see a rise in locals pursuing the arts-related degrees?
3- What are the possible reasons for the engagement or the withdrawal from art interests?

3. Method
3.1 Survey group
A total of 2,023 Singaporeans and permanent residents were interviewed between January to
March 2018. The sample comprised 54% art event attendees and 22% who took part in art
activities.

3.2 Instruments
Data was generated by the government-owned agency, National Arts Council (NAC) through
surveys and questionnaires. The probes were targeted specifically on locals - Singapore
Residents or Permanent Residents.
3.3 Choice of articles
Articles were filtered and selected, best suited for research timeframe - post 2012s. Authors
were locals who wrote for Straits Times, a prominent newspaper firm in Singapore. Credibility
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of data was important, thus only results generated by governmental agencies were chosen to
boost accuracy.

3.4 Data Analysis

The results were reviewed and evaluated by the specific agencies, as well as local authors of
the leading local newspaper outlet - The Straits Times. Governmental figures share their two-
cents on the uncovered results and serve as a reflection on how their measures have been.

4. Results & Discussion

4.1 General arts attendance and participation in the Arts

Referencing to Figure 1, we witness a disparity gap between the physical attendance and
participation in the Arts. It is observed that the gap has widened over the years in a short time
frame, with the largest point difference of 50% in 2015.

Figure 1. The percentages showcase the arts engagement in Singapore art events.

4.2. Percentage in which attendees continue to pursue arts at college level

In Figure 2, the percentage of graduates pursuing non-arts related university courses has
increased from 60 per cent in 2012 to 83 per cent in 2015. This perpetuates a decline in sustained
interests towards the arts, given that there is a rise in students pursuing non-arts related degrees.
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Figure 2. Graduating SOTA students pursuing non-art related degrees.

4.3. Reasons for the widening attendance and interest gap.

As shown in Figure 3, 26% of respondents felt that being unfamiliar with the artists deters
them from attending the events, 22% felt that the arts are irrelevant to their lives and 20% felt
that the arts are difficult to understand. These deterrence are key factors contributing to locals not
attending or participating in the arts scene.

Figure 3. Top deterrence which prevents local attendance and participation in the arts.

5. Conclusion
Rising attendance for the arts does not equate to sustained interest within locals. This
suggests that though governmental interventions are evident, much is still needed to stimulate
locals’ to pursue and contribute to the art scene. Simply by attending the events is passive and
could be fleeting in results- leading to the widening disparity gap between attendance and
interests. Recognised by agencies and government themselves, the increasing point difference
can only be influenced by the locals themselves.
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Timeframe of the surge of attention and attendance is significant, given that social media
could have influenced the rise of art event visitations. Thus insinuating the inaccuracy in actual
art interests developed within the locals, not necessarily enhanced art interests honed.

Lastly, the results perpetuate a pre-existing issue which pinpoints a deep rooted lack of
understanding towards the arts. These mentalities and perceptions have been ingrained during the
early years of governing, given that Singapore was undoubtedly much more practicality driven
before. Thus, it could contribute to an uphill challenge and requires much more than simply
funding to salvage the loss.

References
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Ho, Olivia. 2017. “Why is state funding needed for our arts scene to thrive?” Straits Times, July

24. Retrieved March 20, 2021.

(https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/why-is-state-funding-needed-

for-our-arts-scene-to-thrive)

National Arts Council. 2020. “Population Survey On The Arts” July 28. Retrieved March 23,

2021. (https://www.nac.gov.sg/whatwedo/support/research/Research-

Main-Page/Arts-Statistics-and-Studies/Participation-and-

Attendance/population-survey.html

Sokolowsky, Jennifer. 2017. “Art in the Instagram age: How social media is shaping art and how

you experience it” The Seattle Times, November 16. Retrieved March

23, 2021. (https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/visual-arts/art-

in-the-instagram-age-how-social-media-is-shaping-art-and-how-you-

experience-it/)

Tan, Winnie. 2017. “More Sota students go on to pursue non-arts related fields”. Straits Times,

May 15. Retrieved March 23, 2021.

(https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/more-sota-

students-go-on-to-pursue-non-arts-related-fields)

Toh, Wen Li. 2018. “Strong attendance, interest in arts events: Survey” Straits Times, September

18. Retrieved March 20, 2021.

(https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/strong-attendance-interest-

in-arts-events-survey)

Tsui, Enid. 2018. “Singapore art scene losing ground to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, says Art

Stage Singapore founder”. South China Morning Post, January 30.

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Retrieved March 20, 2021. (https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-

entertainment/article/2131193/singapore-art-scene-losing-ground-

hong-kong-and-southeast)
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Declaration of Academic Integrity

HW0207 Academic Communication in Linguistics /
HW0208 Academic Communication in the Social Sciences

Assignment title: Evaluation On Singapore’s Rebuild Of Her Art Scene

Student’s (official) name: Cheung Zi Qing Glenda

Tutorial group number: SSS14

Tutorial day/time: Thursday, 4.30-6.30pm

Tutor’s name: Prof Keri Matwick

Declaration
I have read and understood the guidelines on academic dishonesty as found at
http://www.plagiarism.org/ and the penalties for academic dishonesty (see ‘General
Instructions’), and declare that this assignment is my own work and does not involve
plagiarism or collusion according to the University’s honour code and pledge. The sources of
other people’s work have been appropriately referenced. I have also not submitted any part of
this assignment for another course.
I give consent for my assignment to be used for teaching or research purposes.

Student’s signature: Date:7/4/2021

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