COS 2012 Debates: MICA – Arts & Culture Strategic Review

by MP for Aljunied GRC, Low Thia Khiang


MICA – Arts & Culture Strategic Review

Chairman Sir,

1. The power of arts and culture cannot be underestimated. It not only helps to preserve our heritage but also engages our people to create and build a stronger sense of national identity, rootedness and social cohesion. An investment in the Arts and Culture is, in a sense, an investment in our future.

2. To achieve this, however, Arts and Culture must reach out to the larger community and not remain as a leisure activity for those who can afford it or those who have an inclination for the arts.

3. MICA has, in 2010, initiated the Arts and Culture Strategic Review for this purpose. The review stated that “in the area of heritage, the 2008 Heritage Awareness Survey conducted by the National Heritage Board showed that although 3 in 4 Singaporeans agree that participating in heritage activities and visiting museums will help them develop a greater sense of belonging to Singapore, only 1 in 2 Singaporeans actually visited historic districts to appreciate our heritage, and only 1 in 4 Singaporeans actually visited museums and heritage galleries.”

4. In the Arts, while the percentage of Singaporeans attending an arts event has increased since 1996 to 40% in 2009, it is still less than half of our total population.

5. I would like to know what is MICA’s response to the report of the Arts and Culture Strategic Review Committee?

6. How can MICA reach out to the community to participate in the Arts and also encourage more Singaporeans to visit our historic sites to better understand our history and heritage?