Arts and cultural policies have had an underwritten history in the Singapore story. This is not surprising given the top-down emphasis on material success and economic development in the national narrative. However, every material achievement in Singapore has been ideologically underpinned by the idea of an ethnically and religiously diverse society coming together in cultural-political coherence and harmony. It is an idea, which could not have been successfully articulated ideologically without the state’s harnessing of the arts and culture.
Despite the ideological relevance of the arts and culture to Singapore’s nation-building project, the arts and culture have been studied in ad hoc manner by local scholars. The numerous pieces of excellent scholarship, though well focussed, have been issue and period specific.
The Institute of Policy Studies is putting together an edited volume that will provide a comprehensive overview of the trajectory of arts and cultural policies in Singapore. It will identify, contextualise and assess key arts and cultural policies from the late 1950s to the present. Scholars and relevant specialists have been asked to produce analytical essays on specific arts and cultural policies, periods or programmes.
To generate feedback and discussion on the volume, this conference will bring together academics, thought leaders from the arts community, and representatives of public and social organisations interested in issues related to arts and cultural policy development in Singapore. This conference also aims to foster understanding of the policy choices and challenges the arts and culture face in Singapore.
Please click here to view the programme.