Singapore Arts Now Stages

Stage 1 – Insider Perspectives on Singapore Arts Now: what, who and how


Date: February 23, 2022

An open invitation to Tasmanian artists and arts organisations, this introductory briefing on the arts in Singapore was delivered by Singaporean experts in the performing arts, visual arts and multi-disciplinary and digital arts.

Speakers:

The Hon Elise Archer MPTasmanian Minister for the Arts;

His Excellency The Hon William HodgmanAustralia High Commissioner to Singapore

His Excellency The Hon Kwok Fook SengSingapore High Commissioner to Australia;

Audrey YeoYeo Workshop

Shireen AbdullahEsplanade Theatres on the Bay

Khairuddin HoriChan + Hori Contemporary;

Tay TongNational Arts Council, Singapore.

This event was moderated by Dr Pippa Dickson, Director of Asialink Arts.

*Please note this was an opportunity for Tasmanian artists and organisations only. Upon registration evidence of Tasmanian residence was verified.

Stage 2 – Workshop: Selection through an expression of interest process


Date: Wednesday 15th June, 2022

Time: 11.30am – 5pm AEST (breaks included)

Purpose: To further develop insights into working, presenting and partnering in Singapore.

Aims: We aimed to create a more in-depth understanding of the Singaporean arts landscape with opportunity for reflection and discussion as well as development of EOI’s for stage 3 (specific project mentoring and presentation in Singapore).


Participants would be provided with new insights into:

  • Singaporean and South East Asian audiences
  • Recent trends and developments in successful arts productions
  • Cultural protocols, nuance and diversity in the Singaporean and South East Asian contexts
  • The regulatory environment for public presentation

Speakers:

Chen Chen Lee, Public diplomacy specialist;

Paul Rae, Asia-Pacific research specialist, writer and director;

May Leong, Founder & Director, [-]yphen;

Ning Chong, Founder, The Culture Story;

Ching-Lee Goh, Founder, CultureLink Singapore;

Daniel Kok, Artistic Director, Dance Nucleus & Independent artist.

Methodology:

In response to the interest in inter-disciplinary practice the workshop was created in modules to allow participants to choose content according to their interests.

  • The Welcome and Module A and F (the opening and closing sessions) were compulsory.
  • Plus, participants selected a minimum of 2 modules from module B, C, D & E according to their specific interests. Participants were welcome to attend all modules.

Below total 4 hours 50mins

  • Module A + F compulsory (total 1h 45mins)
  • Participants selected a minimum of 2 modules from module B, C, D & E.

TIME

SESSION

SPEAKER

AEST

Welcome & Introduction

 

11.30am

15m

5m

Welcome - Acknowledgement of Country, format of session

Pippa Dickson

10m

Introductions

 
 

Module A: Context & cross-cultural capability

 

11.45am

50m

2m

Introduction guest speakers

Pippa Dickson

15m

Guest presentation

Chen Chen Lee, Public diplomacy specialist

15m

Guest presentation

Paul Rae, Asia-Pacific research specialist, writer and director

15m

Questions & discussion

 
 

EOI stage 3

 

12.35pm

15m

 

Stage 3 EOI shared, time to consider and draft project proposal

 
 

Module B: Transdisciplinary practice in the visual arts & international collaboration

 

1.10pm

50m

2m

Introduction to guest speaker

Pippa Dickson

30m

Guest presentation

May Leong, Founder & Director, [-]yphen

15m

Q&A

 

1.40pm

1 h

Lunch Break

 
 

Module C: Developing work for Singaporean visual arts audiences – case studies

 

2.40pm

35m

2m

Introduction to guest speaker

Pippa Dickson

30m

Guest presentation (15mins), discussion and questions (15mins)

Ning Chong,

Founder, The Culture Story

 

Module D: Developing work for Singaporean performing arts audiences – case studies

 

3.15pm

35m

2m

Introduction to guest speaker

Pippa Dickson

30m

Guest presentation (15mins), discussion and questions (15mins)

Ching-Lee Goh, Founder, CultureLink Singapore

 

Module E: Transdisciplinary practice for the stage & international collaboration

 

3.50pm

50m

2m

Introduction to guest speaker

Pippa Dickson

30m

Guest presentation

Daniel Kok, Artistic Director Dance Nucleus & Independent artist

15m

Q&A

 
 

Closing module F: EOI stage 3 preparation

 

4.40pm

15m

 

EOI stage 3: working time individually and in groups – chat open for questions

 
 

Questions, wrap up

 

4.50pm

10m

 

Thank you, questions, wrap up

Pippa Dickson

Stage 3 – Focused support: Selection through application

Second half of 2022 through to end of 2023, one-on-one development support.

Asialink Arts will work closely with Stephanie Jack and Assembly 197 to build strong understanding and connections and work towards a) specific curated itinerary in Singapore and b) fees for the development or presentation of new work.

ASSEMBLY 197

ASSEMBLY 197 brings in a new era of genre busting art making, creating a fresh cultural asset and burst of energy in the north and throughout Tasmania. Together, we will transform live arts for and with Tasmanian communities, from our home at 197 Wellington Street, Launceston. No artist entering ASSEMBLY 197 leaves unchanged. ASSEMBLY 197 is the home of TASDANCE (the company), SITUATE (the program), and ARTERY (the outreach). ASSEMBLY 197 knows we make great art when we assemble. ASSEMBLY 197 also hosts Stompin, Mudlark, and Rooke Circus as in-house organisations.

Assembly 197 proposes an engagement opportunity with Singapore to seed two programs aligned with the collaborative art making philosophies of TASDANCE and SITUATE, a studio based artist exchange and professional development Lab.

Stephanie Jack

Stephanie Jack is an Asian Australian actor, writer and singer based in nipaluna/Hobart.

After graduating top of her B.A Drama cohort at the University of Bristol (UK), Stephanie completed an M.F.A Acting at Harvard's ART/MXAT Institute, including a semester abroad at the Moscow Art Theatre School. Her credits include Deadloch (Amazon, 2023), Archipelago

Productions’ The Maids with Essie Davis and Marta Dusseldorp, and N.Y. Times Critics’ Pick musical, The Light In 2021, Stephanie was the Tasmanian Theatre Company’s Associate Artist, a core member of MONA’s Performance Ensemble, and a Regional Arts Fund Fellowship recipient.

Stephanie will be exploring possibilities for presentation and partnership for her work in development MIXED FEELINGS, an explosive fusion of live performance, digital presentation and music.

*Stage 3 includes travel to Singapore for showcases and/or presentation of work leading to new trade opportunities and collaborative co-production outcomes.

All programs were collaboratively designed in line with current health advice and regulations.

Singapore Arts Now for the Tasmanian Creative Industries is assisted through Arts Tasmania.

Arts Tasmania

Banner image: Art After Dark festival at Gillman Barracks, courtesy of National Arts Council of Singapore.