In spite of Singapore’s recent success with boosting its arts scene, a couple of art shows are nixing extra editions in favor of focusing on their biggest events. One of them, the annual Affordable Art Fair, had been hosting twice yearly events to draw in new art collectors, making art accessible and affordable. However, thanks to low attendance numbers and feedback from visitors, organizers have decided to stop holding the second event, which usually takes place in the spring. A number of things combined to force organizers to make this decision, including low sales and fewer galleries vying to participate. Organizers said they hoped that with the sole event, more visitors and gallery owners alike would want to take part in a more exclusive event.
Art isn’t the only victim in this slowdown. Other retailers throughout Singapore have been feeling the squeeze as an economic downturn has hit the country’s markets. But like other business entities, art dealers, gallery owners, and festival organizers must make tough decisions to ensure that their events and art continue to have an opportunity to thrive. As consumers and potential art collectors tighten their belts, art organizations must do the same.
Another art festival in Singapore that is feeling the squeeze is Art Stage Singapore, which saw nearly 7,000 fewer visitors from one year to the next. Fewer galleries chose to participate as well, meaning that there simply wasn’t enough demand at that point to truly support more growth for the festival. Organizers of Art Stage Singapore said that regional support was essential for the event to survive. Just as Singapore isn’t the only nation in Southeast Asia suffering economic setbacks, other countries could help boost the collective art scene by acting together and supporting creative efforts by one another.
But even with those two high-profile setbacks, another art festival has enjoyed some modest success. Singapore Contemporary enjoyed nearly twice as many people at its second showing this year, with up to a third more galleries displaying works. It’s not certain why this festival did well when others did not, but the organizer didn’t care to speculate about how next year might go with the state of the economy and the fate befalling other similar art festivals.
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To read more about the challenges facing art festivals in Singapore, go to http://m.todayonline.com/lifestyle/arts-fairs-singapore-facing-tough-times.