Because of Singapore’s 50th birthday, the country’s art scene in 2015 enjoyed a significant boost in both funding and encouragement from government entities, resulting in a boom for artists, exhibits and museums. Though the new year is upon us, 2016 will hold even more for Singapore’s art world, promising additional changes and shifts in expectations — and perhaps some controversy.
The 50th birthday was a wonderful reason to pack Singapore’s art calendar with even more events celebrating the creativity and culture of the nation. Residents and visitors alike enjoyed a glut of art festivals, theater stagings and revivals, and much more as a part of a government-backed push to boost the art scene in the country. Much of the art was sponsored by the government, leading to funding that encouraged artists to dedicate more time and effort to their work. This resulted in prolific art exhibits and events.
Looking ahead in 2016, many museums will be receiving revamps and makeovers to parts of their exhibition space. This will keep the spaces fresh and exciting for visitors. New galleries will open in two classic museums, while Singapore’s Civic District is due for a revival, transforming it into a pedestrian-friendly space for arts and culture. The new National Gallery Singapore will look to sustain its opening momentum with collaborations with other worldwide museums.
Many festivals are on tap for this coming year. Two new theater events will celebrate Singaporean playwrights, while a dance troupe will offer support for dancers in the country.
Some of the controversy in this year and last year’s art scene in Singapore is concerns about censorship. A highly successful and critically lauded graphic novel had its government funding pulled because of concerns that its overall message was against the Singaporean government. Some advocates believe that this type of censorship will push artists to consider the message of their subject matter more carefully, stifling the healthy kind of artistic challenges. In order to secure funding for their projects, more artists could tone down the messages in their works, effectively censoring themselves.
Another controversial point is the future of the Singapore Art Museum, a fixture in all artworks and installations that are contemporary. The director of the museum resigned this past year, leading many to worry about its leadership amid several big events for the facility. This new year will be the museum’s 20th anniversary, as well as the year in which it will be in charge of organizing the Singapore Biennale.
Celebrate the new year by enrolling today in an art class. By visiting SGArtClass.com, you can easily compare and contrast different classes. If you’ve always wanted to explore acrylic painting but never had the time, let our teachers work with your schedule to find the perfect moment for you to chase after your creative dreams. Would you like to ride the trendy wave of nail art? Our teachers will guide you through tips and techniques to make it a reality.
For more on Singapore’s ever-shifting art scene, go to http://www.themalaymailonline.com/features/article/singapore-arts-in-2016-institutions-in-flux.