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{{Multiple issues| |
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{{More citations needed|date=April 2016}} |
{{More citations needed|date=April 2016}} |
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{{primary sources|date=March 2018}} |
{{primary sources|date=March 2018}} |
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{{Infobox government agency |
{{Infobox government agency |
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| agency_name = National Arts Council |
| agency_name = National Arts Council |
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| native_name |
| native_name = |
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| native_name_a = {{lang|zh|国家艺术理事会}} |
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| logo = National Arts Council, Singapore logo.png |
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| logo_width = 200 |
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| logo = Nac eng logo.png |
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| logo_caption = |
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| logo_caption = |
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⚫ | | preceding2 = Cultural Division of Ministry of Community Development |
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⚫ | | preceding2 = Cultural Division of Ministry of Community Development |
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| dissolved = |
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| superseding = |
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| superseding = |
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| employees = |
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| budget = |
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| budget = |
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⚫ | | headquarters = 90 Goodman Road, Goodman Arts Centre, Blk A #01-01, Singapore 439053 |
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| minister1_pfo = Minister for Culture, Community and Youth |
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⚫ | | headquarters = 90 Goodman Road, Goodman Arts Centre, Blk A #01-01, Singapore 439053 |
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| deputyminister1_name = [[Sim Ann]] |
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| deputyminister1_pfo = [[Minister of state|Senior Minister of State]] for Culture, Community and Youth |
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| deputyminister2_name = [[Baey Yam Keng]] |
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| deputyminister2_pfo = [[Parliamentary secretary|Senior Parliamentary Secretary]] |
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| chief1_position = Chairman |
| chief1_position = Chairman |
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| chief2_name = |
| chief2_name = Low Eng Teong |
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| chief2_position = |
| chief2_position = CEO |
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| chief3_name = |
| chief3_name = Lynette Pang |
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| chief3_position = Deputy |
| chief3_position = Deputy CEO |
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| chief4_name |
| chief4_name = |
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| chief4_position = |
| chief4_position = |
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| chief5_name = Kenneth Kwok |
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| chief5_position = Assistant Chief Executive (Planning & Development) |
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| chief6_position = |
| chief6_position = |
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| chief7_name = |
| chief7_name = |
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| chief7_position = |
| chief7_position = |
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| chief8_name = |
| chief8_name = |
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| chief8_position = |
| chief8_position = |
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| chief9_name = |
| chief9_name = |
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| chief9_position = |
| chief9_position = |
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| parent_department = |
| parent_department = |
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| parent_agency = [[Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth]] |
| parent_agency = [[Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth]] |
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| child1_agency = |
| child1_agency = |
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| website = {{url|www.nac.gov.sg}} |
| website = {{url|www.nac.gov.sg}} |
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| footnotes = |
| footnotes = |
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| parent_agency_type = Ministry |
| parent_agency_type = Ministry |
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}} |
}} |
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[[File:Entrance of Goodman Arts Centre, Singapore.jpg|thumb|Entrance of Goodman Arts Centre, where the National Arts Council is housed.]] |
[[File:Entrance of Goodman Arts Centre, Singapore.jpg|thumb|Entrance of Goodman Arts Centre, where the National Arts Council is housed.]] |
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The '''National Arts Council''' |
The '''National Arts Council''' ('''NAC''') is a [[Statutory boards of the Singapore Government|statutory board]] established on 15 October 1991 to oversee the development of arts in [[Singapore]]. It is under the purview of the [[Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth]]. The NAC provides grants, scholarships, awards and platforms for arts practitioners, as well as arts education and programmes for the general public. |
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==History == |
==History == |
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In 1989, the Advisory Council on Culture and the Arts, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister [[Ong Teng Cheong]], produced a report assessing the status of various aspects of arts in Singapore. The report would form the blueprint for cultural policy in Singapore, and led to the establishment of the National Arts Council and [[National Heritage Board (Singapore)|National Heritage Board]] to spearhead the development of arts in Singapore.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S4QZBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA90 |
In 1989, the Advisory Council on Culture and the Arts, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister [[Ong Teng Cheong]], produced a report assessing the status of various aspects of arts in Singapore.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singapore |first=National Library Board |title=Report of the Advisory Council on Culture and the Arts |url=https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/book-detail?cmsuuid=4574f095-8cae-4e85-81ca-5e57f98af85f |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=www.nlb.gov.sg |language=en}}</ref> The report would form the blueprint for cultural policy in Singapore, and led to the establishment of the National Arts Council and [[National Heritage Board (Singapore)|National Heritage Board]] to spearhead the development of arts in Singapore.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S4QZBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA90 |title= Arts, Culture and the Making of Global Cities: Creating New Urban Landscapes in Asia|author1=Lily Kong|author-link1=Lily Kong |author2=Ching Chia-ho |author3=Chou Tsu-Lung |pages= 89–90|publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |isbn=9781784715847 |date= 2015-01-30}}</ref> |
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In 1991, the National Arts Council (NAC) was formed from the amalgamation of the Singapore Cultural Foundation, Cultural Division of Ministry of Community Development, Festival of Arts Secretariat and the National Theatre Trust.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us: Milestones|url=https://www.nac.gov.sg/aboutus/milestone.html|website=National Arts Council|publisher=Singapore government| |
In 1991, the National Arts Council (NAC) was formed from the amalgamation of the Singapore Cultural Foundation, Cultural Division of Ministry of Community Development, Festival of Arts Secretariat and the National Theatre Trust.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us: Milestones|url=https://www.nac.gov.sg/aboutus/milestone.html|website=National Arts Council|publisher=Singapore government|access-date=1 November 2017}}</ref> |
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==Organisation structure== |
==Organisation structure== |
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The NAC is made up of the following departments: Education and Development, Engagement and Participation, Strategic Planning and International Relations, Research, Sector Development and Precinct Development. They are supported by the Communications & Marketing, Information Technology, Human Resource & Administration and Finance departments. |
The NAC is made up of the following departments: Education and Development, Engagement and Participation, Strategic Planning and International Relations, Research, Sector Development and Precinct Development. They are supported by the Communications & Marketing, Information Technology, Human Resource & Administration and Finance departments. |
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GK Goh Holdings Goh Yew Lin and Deputy Secretary of [[Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth]] Rosa Huey Daniel.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us:Management|url=https://www.nac.gov.sg/aboutus/management.html|website=National Arts Council|accessdate=27 July 2017}}</ref> |
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==Arts cluster development== |
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{{peacock|date=April 2018}} |
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The NAC adopted an arts cluster development approach starting from 15 April 2004. This project was led by a dedicated team of officers championing the performing, visual and literary art forms. This new approach enabled the Council to develop all its various art forms in a holistic manner by working through the entire value chain, nurturing and developing artists, arts groups and arts businesses, to providing international stages for Singaporean artists to showcase their talents. This new plan also helps enhance the relationship within the arts community, where artists and arts groups become partners, implementing the cluster development plan. |
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==Supporting the industry== |
==Supporting the industry== |
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The NAC organises and supports a range of nationwide and international events to grow and showcase Singapore's artistic talents: |
The NAC organises and supports a range of nationwide and international events to grow and showcase Singapore's artistic talents: |
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* Cultural Medallion<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nac.gov.sg/singaporeartsscene/culturalMedallion/overview.html|title=NAC - Cultural Medallion|website=www.nac.gov.sg|language=en|access-date=2018-03-28}}</ref> and Young Artist Award<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nac.gov.sg/singaporeartsscene/youngArtistAward/overview.html|title=Young Artist Award}}</ref> |
* [[Cultural Medallion]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nac.gov.sg/singaporeartsscene/culturalMedallion/overview.html|title=NAC - Cultural Medallion|website=www.nac.gov.sg|language=en|access-date=2018-03-28}}</ref> and [[Singapore Young Artist Award|Young Artist Award]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nac.gov.sg/singaporeartsscene/youngArtistAward/overview.html|title=Young Artist Award}}</ref> |
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* Golden Point Award<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nac.gov.sg/events/golden-point-award.html|title=Golden Point Award}}</ref> |
* Golden Point Award<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nac.gov.sg/events/golden-point-award.html|title=Golden Point Award}}</ref> |
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* Got To Move<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nac.gov.sg/gtm-events/gtm/overview.html|title=Overview}}</ref> |
* Got To Move<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nac.gov.sg/gtm-events/gtm/overview.html|title=Overview}}</ref> |
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==Controversies== |
==Controversies== |
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After artist [[Josef Ng]]'s 1994 performance ''Brother Cane'', in which he bared his buttocks and trimmed his pubic hair to protest media coverage of an anti-gay operation in 1992,<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Jian Xuan|title=Curator Josef Ng, whose 1994 performance led to proscription of performance art, joins Pearl Lam Galleries|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/curator-josef-ng-whose-1994-performance-led-to-proscription-of-performance-art-joins|access-date=5 February 2016|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=23 December 2015}}</ref> for the years 1994 to 2004, the NAC withdrew funding support for the scriptless art forms of performance art as well as forum theatre.<ref name=":0" /> Condemning the expressions by both Ng and fellow performer Shannon Tham, who had vomited into a bucket as part of his act, the NAC stated: "By no stretch of the imagination can such acts be construed and condoned as art."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Goh|first=Wei Hao|title=Performing Protest in Singapore: Performance Tactics in ''Brother Cane'' and ''Don't Give Money to the Arts''|journal=[[Konsthistorisk tidskrift]]|doi=10.1080/00233609.2023.2181864|year=2023|page=49|volume=92|number=1|doi-access=free}}</ref> Ng and Tham were consequently banned by the NAC from ever performing in Singapore again.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Goh|first=Wei Hao|title=Performing Protest in Singapore: Performance Tactics in ''Brother Cane'' and ''Don't Give Money to the Arts''|journal=[[Konsthistorisk tidskrift]]|doi=10.1080/00233609.2023.2181864|year=2023|page=44|volume=92|number=1|doi-access=free}}</ref> |
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Despite its goal "to nurture the arts", the NAC has censored Singapore arts through funding and other means consistently since its formation. |
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⚫ | In 2000, the NAC objected to theatre group [[Agni Kootthu]]'s planned staging of [[Elangovan]]'s play ''Talaq'', a one-woman show about an Indian Muslim woman's divorce, which had already been staged twice. They suggested that Agni Kootthu arrange a preview of the play for selected persons so that their recommendations would help the Public Entertainment Licence Unit (PELU) of the [[Singapore Police Force]] to decide on the licence application. When PELU refused to grant a licence, the NAC supported the staging of the play subject to some changes being made. Agni Kootthu instead decided to hold an invitation-only rehearsal to document the play at the Drama Centre, which it had booked beforehand. NAC, as the Drama Centre's landlord, decided to close the Drama Centre on those days, resulting in a four-hour standoff when S. Thenmoli, president of Agni Kootthu, arrived. The then-Executive Director of NAC called the police and Thenmoli was arrested for alleged trespassing.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sathiah|first1=Anna|title=Singapore police nab theatre director|agency=Laredo Morning Times|date=29 October 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Au|first1=Alex|title=Talaq and religious freedom|url=http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2000/yax-215.htm|website=Yawning Bread|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref> |
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From 1994 to 2004, the NAC withdrew funding support for the scriptless art forms of performance art as well as forum theatre, effectively banning both mediums. This followed artist [[Josef Ng]]'s 1994 performance ''Brother Cane'', in which he bared his buttocks and trimmed his pubic hair to protest media coverage of an anti-gay operation in 1992.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Jian Xuan|title=Curator Josef Ng, whose 1994 performance led to proscription of performance art, joins Pearl Lam Galleries|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/curator-josef-ng-whose-1994-performance-led-to-proscription-of-performance-art-joins|accessdate=5 February 2016|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=23 December 2015}}</ref> |
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In 2000, the NAC objected to theatre group [[Agni Kootthu]]'s planned staging of [[Elangovan]]'s play ''Talaq'', a one-woman show about an Indian Muslim woman's divorce, which had already been staged twice. They suggested that Agni Kootthu arrange a preview of the play for selected persons so that their recommendations would help the Public Entertainment Licence Unit (PELU) to decide on the licence application. When PELU refused to grant a licence, the NAC supported the staging of the play subject to some changes being made. Agni Kootthu instead decided to hold an invitation-only rehearsal to document the play at the Drama Centre, which it had booked beforehand. NAC, as the Drama Centre's landlord, decided to close the Drama Centre on those days, resulting in a four-hour standoff when S. Thenmoli, president of Agni Kootthu, arrived. The then-Executive Director of NAC called the police and Thenmoli was arrested for alleged trespassing.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sathiah|first1=Anna|title=Singapore police nab theatre director|agency=Laredo Morning Times|date=29 October 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Au|first1=Alex|title=Talaq and religious freedom|url=http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2000/yax-215.htm|website=Yawning Bread| |
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In the same year, the NAC withdrew funding of $8,000 from theatre group [[Drama Box]]'s staging of ''The VaginaLogue'', a one-woman show by [[Li Xie]], because the group's artistic director [[Kok Heng Leun]] declined to take down a projected image of a vagina that was used as a backdrop. As a result, the group lost money on the production. Three years later, the NAC declined to fund Drama Box's re-staging of the same play.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chia|first1=Adeline|title=Don't play play|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=13 May 2010}}</ref> |
In the same year, the NAC withdrew funding of $8,000 from theatre group [[Drama Box]]'s staging of ''The VaginaLogue'', a one-woman show by [[Li Xie]], because the group's artistic director [[Kok Heng Leun]] declined to take down a projected image of a vagina that was used as a backdrop. As a result, the group lost money on the production. Three years later, the NAC declined to fund Drama Box's re-staging of the same play.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chia|first1=Adeline|title=Don't play play|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=13 May 2010}}</ref> |
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In 2002, the NAC demanded that lines from [[Alfian Sa'at]]'s play ''Causeway'', staged by [[Teater Ekamatra]], be removed due to its supposed incitement of cross-strait and racial tensions.<ref>{{cite web|last1=See|first1=Martyn|title=Censorship under the PAP : 1959 - 2008|url=http://singaporerebel.blogspot.sg/2008/02/censorship-under-pap-1959-2008.html|website=Singapore Rebel| |
In 2002, the NAC demanded that lines from [[Alfian Sa'at]]'s play ''Causeway'', staged by [[Teater Ekamatra]], be removed due to its supposed incitement of cross-strait and racial tensions.<ref>{{cite web|last1=See|first1=Martyn|title=Censorship under the PAP : 1959 - 2008|url=http://singaporerebel.blogspot.sg/2008/02/censorship-under-pap-1959-2008.html|website=Singapore Rebel|date=16 February 2008 |access-date=13 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Arts Community Proposal|url=http://www.theatreworks.org.sg/formmail.html|website=TheatreWorks|access-date=13 February 2016}}</ref> |
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In 2003, the NAC withdrew its funding of the journal ''FOCAS: Focus on Contemporary Art and Society Vol. 5: Second FRONT'' three days before it went to print. The suspected reason was playwright-poet [[Alfian Sa'at]]'s essays, “The Racist’s Apology”, about being an indigenous Malay in Singapore, and one on NAC's censorship in previous issues of the journal.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tan|first1=S. E.|title=Focas in a Fracas|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes20031223-1.2.55.7.aspx| |
In 2003, the NAC withdrew its funding of the journal ''FOCAS: Focus on Contemporary Art and Society Vol. 5: Second FRONT'' three days before it went to print. The suspected reason was playwright-poet [[Alfian Sa'at]]'s essays, “The Racist’s Apology”, about being an indigenous Malay in Singapore, and one on NAC's censorship in previous issues of the journal.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tan|first1=S. E.|title=Focas in a Fracas|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes20031223-1.2.55.7.aspx|access-date=5 February 2016|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=23 December 2003}}</ref> |
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In 2006, the NAC informed an unnamed artist invited to the [[Singapore Biennale]] that he would need a lawyer for his project, and that he would be held responsible if anything should go wrong in the project. He was also told that he would not receive further support unless he had engaged a lawyer which was not possible as a lawyer would have required half of the budget given. The proposed work had intended to interview 5 individuals who have been active in the arts scene in Singapore and the video recording would be presented as a 5-hour long screening during the Singapore Biennale 2006. The work was not completed and presented at the Biennale.<ref>{{cite web|title=Censorship Accounts|url=https://sites.google.com/site/artsengagesg/censorship-accounts|website=ArtsEngage| |
In 2006, the NAC informed an unnamed artist invited to the [[Singapore Biennale]] that he would need a lawyer for his project, and that he would be held responsible if anything should go wrong in the project. He was also told that he would not receive further support unless he had engaged a lawyer which was not possible as a lawyer would have required half of the budget given. The proposed work had intended to interview 5 individuals who have been active in the arts scene in Singapore and the video recording would be presented as a 5-hour long screening during the Singapore Biennale 2006. The work was not completed and not presented at the Biennale.<ref>{{cite web|title=Censorship Accounts|url=https://sites.google.com/site/artsengagesg/censorship-accounts|website=ArtsEngage|access-date=4 January 2016}}</ref> |
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{{anchor|Operation Spectrum}}In 2007, the NAC removed artist-writer [[Jason Wee]]'s essay, "Raising the Subject", from the catalogue for "Raised", an art festival that was part of the Singapore Art Show 2007 which thematically focused on migrant labor, reportedly because it included references to [[Operation Spectrum]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Reading Spaces, Spaces for Reading|url=http://blogs.guggenheim.org/map/reading-spaces-spaces-for-reading/|website=Guggenheim Blog| |
{{anchor|Operation Spectrum}}In 2007, the NAC removed artist-writer [[Jason Wee]]'s essay, "Raising the Subject", from the catalogue for "Raised", an art festival that was part of the Singapore Art Show 2007 which thematically focused on migrant labor, reportedly because it included references to [[Operation Spectrum]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Reading Spaces, Spaces for Reading|url=http://blogs.guggenheim.org/map/reading-spaces-spaces-for-reading/|website=Guggenheim Blog|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref> |
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In May 2010, the NAC cut the annual grant given to local theatre company [[W!LD RICE]]. It got $170,000, down from $190,000 the year before. It is the lowest annual grant that the company has received from the council. Artistic director [[Ivan Heng]] says the council told him funding was cut because its productions promoted so-called "alternative lifestyles |
In May 2010, the NAC cut the annual grant given to local theatre company [[W!LD RICE]]. It got $170,000, down from $190,000 the year before. It is the lowest annual grant that the company has received from the council. Artistic director [[Ivan Heng]] says the council told him funding was cut because its productions promoted so-called "alternative lifestyles", were critical of government policies, and satirised political leaders. Veteran theatre company [[TheatreWorks (Singapore)|TheatreWorks]] also had its funding cut, from $310,000 to $280,000. Its artistic director [[Ong Keng Sen]] was told that the company had to have more "local presence".<ref>{{cite news|title=NAC cuts funds to theatre company Wild Rice|url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100505-214465.html|access-date=4 January 2016|agency=AsiaOne|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=5 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220043503/http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100505-214465.html|archive-date=20 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In early 2011, the NAC revoked its publishing grant for playwright [[Chong Tze Chien]]'s book ''Four Plays'' |
In early 2011, the NAC revoked its publishing grant for playwright [[Chong Tze Chien]]'s book ''Four Plays'' as it included the controversial play ''Charged''.<ref>{{cite news|title= Playwright Chong Tze Chien's Charged faces racism head-on|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/playwright-chong-tze-chiens-charged-faces-racism-head-on|access-date=10 February 2016|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=28 July 2015}}</ref> |
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In late 2011, following a private preview, the [[Singapore Art Museum]] removed Japanese-British artist [[Simon Fujiwara]]’s work, ''Welcome to the Hotel Munber'' (2010), which featured homoerotic content, despite appropriate advisory notices put up by the museum and the [[Singapore Biennale]], organised by the NAC.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lingham|first1=Susie|title=ART AND CENSORSHIP IN SINGAPORE: CATCH 22?|url=http://artasiapacific.com/Magazine/76/ArtAndCensorshipInSingaporeCatch22| |
In late 2011, following a private preview, the [[Singapore Art Museum]] removed Japanese-British artist [[Simon Fujiwara]]’s work, ''Welcome to the Hotel Munber'' (2010), which featured homoerotic content, despite appropriate advisory notices put up by the museum and the [[Singapore Biennale]], organised by the NAC.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lingham|first1=Susie|title=ART AND CENSORSHIP IN SINGAPORE: CATCH 22?|url=http://artasiapacific.com/Magazine/76/ArtAndCensorshipInSingaporeCatch22|access-date=15 September 2014|agency=ArtAsiaPacific|date=November 2011}}</ref> This censorship was committed without any consultation with or notification of the artist.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ng|first1=Yi-Sheng|title=Simon Fujiwara: Censored at the Singapore Biennale 2011 |url=http://www.fridae.asia/gay-news/2011/03/25/10744.simon-fujiwara-censored-at-the-singapore-biennale-2011|access-date=15 September 2014|agency=Fridae|date=25 March 2011}}</ref> |
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In May 2015, it withdrew $8,000 worth of funding after it deemed that the best-selling graphic novel ''[[The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye]]'' by [[Sonny Liew]], which it had previously read in full in draft form and approved of, had "sensitive content" and the potential to "undermine the authority and legitimacy of the government". This led to a heated debate between artists and the council.<ref>{{cite news|title=Unveiling Singapore's next chapter in entertainment & lifestyle|url=http://www.todayonline.com/year-end-special/unveiling-next-chapter-entertainment-lifestyle| |
In May 2015, it withdrew $8,000 worth of funding after it deemed that the best-selling graphic novel ''[[The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye]]'' by [[Sonny Liew]], which it had previously read in full in draft form and approved of, had "sensitive content" and the potential to "undermine the authority and legitimacy of the government". This led to a heated debate between artists and the council.<ref>{{cite news|title=Unveiling Singapore's next chapter in entertainment & lifestyle|url=http://www.todayonline.com/year-end-special/unveiling-next-chapter-entertainment-lifestyle|access-date=4 January 2016|agency=TODAY|publisher=MediaCorp|date=30 December 2015}}</ref> |
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From November to December 2015, NAC was involved in a fracas with local artists and academics after its CEO [[Kathy Lai]] and Chairman [[Chan Heng Chee]] argued for the need for and defended NAC's use of censorship.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nanda|first1=Akshita|title=NAC chairman on funding as censorship: State has to balance diverse values when giving grants|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/nac-chairman-on-funding-as-censorship-state-has-to-balance-diverse-values-when-giving| |
From November to December 2015, NAC was involved in a fracas with local artists and academics after its CEO [[Kathy Lai]] and Chairman [[Chan Heng Chee]] argued for the need for and defended NAC's use of censorship.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nanda|first1=Akshita|title=NAC chairman on funding as censorship: State has to balance diverse values when giving grants|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/nac-chairman-on-funding-as-censorship-state-has-to-balance-diverse-values-when-giving|access-date=27 July 2017|publisher=The Straits Times|date=2015-11-27}}</ref> This prompted calls to boycott the NAC.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gerard|first1=Clarabelle|title=Another fracas over Arts Funding: But where are the alternatives?|url=http://themiddleground.sg/2015/12/09/another-fracas-arts-funding-alternatives/|website=The Middle Ground|access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref> |
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The NAC has also drawn criticisms for paying $410,000 in consultancy fees to undertake a study on a refuse collection centre for Victoria Theatre and [[Victoria Concert Hall]] in 2016, when the eventual bin centre cost $470,000 to build.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yong|first1=Charissa|title=Bin centre was a complicated project, says National Arts Council after AGO flags high consultancy fees|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/bin-centre-was-a-complicated-project-nac| |
The NAC has also drawn criticisms for paying $410,000 in consultancy fees to undertake a study on a refuse collection centre for Victoria Theatre and [[Victoria Concert Hall]] in 2016, when the eventual bin centre cost $470,000 to build.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yong|first1=Charissa|title=Bin centre was a complicated project, says National Arts Council after AGO flags high consultancy fees|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/bin-centre-was-a-complicated-project-nac|access-date=27 July 2017|publisher=The Straits Times|date=2016-08-02}}</ref> National Development Minister [[Lawrence Wong]] argued that an extensive study had to be done due to the location of the bin centre within the Civic District and that the project was "delivered satisfactorily and at an acceptable cost".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yong|first1=Charissa|title=Consultant's study on bin centre part of extensive feasibility study|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/bin-centre-in-civic-district-done-at-acceptable-cost-says-minister|access-date=27 July 2017|publisher=The Straits Times|date=2016-08-16}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111216121859/http://www.nac.gov.sg/aep/ National Arts Council - Arts Education Programme (NAC-AEP)] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111216121859/http://www.nac.gov.sg/aep/ National Arts Council - Arts Education Programme (NAC-AEP)] |
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{{Statutory boards of Singapore}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:1991 establishments in Singapore]] |
[[Category:1991 establishments in Singapore]] |
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[[Category:Government agencies established in 1991]] |
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1991]] |
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Agency overview | |
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Formed | 15 October 1991; 32 years ago (1991-10-15) |
Preceding agencies |
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Jurisdiction | Government of Singapore |
Headquarters | 90 Goodman Road, Goodman Arts Centre, Blk A #01-01, Singapore 439053 |
Minister responsible | |
Agency executives |
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Parent Ministry | Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth |
Website | www |
The National Arts Council (NAC) is a statutory board established on 15 October 1991 to oversee the development of arts in Singapore. It is under the purview of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. The NAC provides grants, scholarships, awards and platforms for arts practitioners, as well as arts education and programmes for the general public.
In 1989, the Advisory Council on Culture and the Arts, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ong Teng Cheong, produced a report assessing the status of various aspects of arts in Singapore.[1] The report would form the blueprint for cultural policy in Singapore, and led to the establishment of the National Arts Council and National Heritage Board to spearhead the development of arts in Singapore.[2]
In 1991, the National Arts Council (NAC) was formed from the amalgamation of the Singapore Cultural Foundation, Cultural Division of Ministry of Community Development, Festival of Arts Secretariat and the National Theatre Trust.[3]
The NAC is made up of the following departments: Education and Development, Engagement and Participation, Strategic Planning and International Relations, Research, Sector Development and Precinct Development. They are supported by the Communications & Marketing, Information Technology, Human Resource & Administration and Finance departments.
The NAC provides funding infrastructure for Singapore's arts community. Each year, through its grants framework, the NAC aims to develop new and existing arts organisations, encourage production of, presentation of and participation in the arts, as well as provide training, research & development for market and audience development needs, both locally and internationally.[4]
NAC provides artists and arts groups with accessible performing venues for their productions, and to sustainable platforms where artists can collaborate with each other and interact with the wider public.[5]
The NAC works with other agencies to bring arts to the wider public. Through initiatives such as Arts & Disability Forum,[6] Arts In Your Neighbourhood,[7] Art Reach,[8] National Arts Council - Arts Education Programme (NAC-AEP),[9] Noise Singapore,[10] Patron of the Arts Awards,[11] and Silver Arts.[12]
The NAC organises and supports a range of nationwide and international events to grow and showcase Singapore's artistic talents:
After artist Josef Ng's 1994 performance Brother Cane, in which he bared his buttocks and trimmed his pubic hair to protest media coverage of an anti-gay operation in 1992,[22] for the years 1994 to 2004, the NAC withdrew funding support for the scriptless art forms of performance art as well as forum theatre.[22] Condemning the expressions by both Ng and fellow performer Shannon Tham, who had vomited into a bucket as part of his act, the NAC stated: "By no stretch of the imagination can such acts be construed and condoned as art."[23] Ng and Tham were consequently banned by the NAC from ever performing in Singapore again.[24]
In 2000, the NAC objected to theatre group Agni Kootthu's planned staging of Elangovan's play Talaq, a one-woman show about an Indian Muslim woman's divorce, which had already been staged twice. They suggested that Agni Kootthu arrange a preview of the play for selected persons so that their recommendations would help the Public Entertainment Licence Unit (PELU) of the Singapore Police Force to decide on the licence application. When PELU refused to grant a licence, the NAC supported the staging of the play subject to some changes being made. Agni Kootthu instead decided to hold an invitation-only rehearsal to document the play at the Drama Centre, which it had booked beforehand. NAC, as the Drama Centre's landlord, decided to close the Drama Centre on those days, resulting in a four-hour standoff when S. Thenmoli, president of Agni Kootthu, arrived. The then-Executive Director of NAC called the police and Thenmoli was arrested for alleged trespassing.[25][26]
In the same year, the NAC withdrew funding of $8,000 from theatre group Drama Box's staging of The VaginaLogue, a one-woman show by Li Xie, because the group's artistic director Kok Heng Leun declined to take down a projected image of a vagina that was used as a backdrop. As a result, the group lost money on the production. Three years later, the NAC declined to fund Drama Box's re-staging of the same play.[27]
In 2002, the NAC demanded that lines from Alfian Sa'at's play Causeway, staged by Teater Ekamatra, be removed due to its supposed incitement of cross-strait and racial tensions.[28][29]
In 2003, the NAC withdrew its funding of the journal FOCAS: Focus on Contemporary Art and Society Vol. 5: Second FRONT three days before it went to print. The suspected reason was playwright-poet Alfian Sa'at's essays, “The Racist’s Apology”, about being an indigenous Malay in Singapore, and one on NAC's censorship in previous issues of the journal.[30]
In 2006, the NAC informed an unnamed artist invited to the Singapore Biennale that he would need a lawyer for his project, and that he would be held responsible if anything should go wrong in the project. He was also told that he would not receive further support unless he had engaged a lawyer which was not possible as a lawyer would have required half of the budget given. The proposed work had intended to interview 5 individuals who have been active in the arts scene in Singapore and the video recording would be presented as a 5-hour long screening during the Singapore Biennale 2006. The work was not completed and not presented at the Biennale.[31]
In 2007, the NAC removed artist-writer Jason Wee's essay, "Raising the Subject", from the catalogue for "Raised", an art festival that was part of the Singapore Art Show 2007 which thematically focused on migrant labor, reportedly because it included references to Operation Spectrum.[32]
In May 2010, the NAC cut the annual grant given to local theatre company W!LD RICE. It got $170,000, down from $190,000 the year before. It is the lowest annual grant that the company has received from the council. Artistic director Ivan Heng says the council told him funding was cut because its productions promoted so-called "alternative lifestyles", were critical of government policies, and satirised political leaders. Veteran theatre company TheatreWorks also had its funding cut, from $310,000 to $280,000. Its artistic director Ong Keng Sen was told that the company had to have more "local presence".[33]
In early 2011, the NAC revoked its publishing grant for playwright Chong Tze Chien's book Four Plays as it included the controversial play Charged.[34]
In late 2011, following a private preview, the Singapore Art Museum removed Japanese-British artist Simon Fujiwara’s work, Welcome to the Hotel Munber (2010), which featured homoerotic content, despite appropriate advisory notices put up by the museum and the Singapore Biennale, organised by the NAC.[35] This censorship was committed without any consultation with or notification of the artist.[36]
In May 2015, it withdrew $8,000 worth of funding after it deemed that the best-selling graphic novel The Art of Charlie Chan Hock ChyebySonny Liew, which it had previously read in full in draft form and approved of, had "sensitive content" and the potential to "undermine the authority and legitimacy of the government". This led to a heated debate between artists and the council.[37]
From November to December 2015, NAC was involved in a fracas with local artists and academics after its CEO Kathy Lai and Chairman Chan Heng Chee argued for the need for and defended NAC's use of censorship.[38] This prompted calls to boycott the NAC.[39]
The NAC has also drawn criticisms for paying $410,000 in consultancy fees to undertake a study on a refuse collection centre for Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall in 2016, when the eventual bin centre cost $470,000 to build.[40] National Development Minister Lawrence Wong argued that an extensive study had to be done due to the location of the bin centre within the Civic District and that the project was "delivered satisfactorily and at an acceptable cost".[41]
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