Positioning Singapore Globally
On top of developing audiences within Singapore, the National Arts Council (NAC)’s advocacy efforts also focus on bringing our arts and culture beyond our shores. Positioning our arts scene globally allows us to transcend the market potential in Singapore to access new markets and audiences. Benchmarking and understanding best practices allow our artists and groups to engage in rich conversations with international counterparts, as part of their capacity building. Artistic innovation and research also take on different dimensions with more international collaborations, be it in person or through digitalisation and new technology tools.
NAC supports Singapore artists and arts groups to meaningfully create and present quality art that showcases our cultural identity. Besides our grants framework that funds overseas projects, presentations and capability development programmes, we also work with overseas institutions and platforms to develop international opportunities. These include sending our artists to participate and represent Singapore at the Venice Biennale, international residency programmes, exchange initiatives and training workshops.
Since the launch of the Cultural Diplomacy Fund in 2014, NAC has been able to forge further ahead on the international front. NAC establishes local and international partnerships with key stakeholders to design and develop programmes that allow for cultural exchanges. Memorandum of Understandings are signed with strategic international arts councils and institutions to signal a deeper commitment towards greater cultural collaboration as well. In addition, NAC has been actively sourcing and brokering new opportunities in areas of showcase, market and capability development for Singapore artists in key international markets.