Busking Permit Holders who Perform Regularly, and Measures to Set Higher Quality Bar and Help Buskers Hone Their Craft
Ministry of Culture, Community and YouthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the frequency of busking performances and the Ministry’s initiatives to maintain quality standards while supporting the professional growth of street performers. Member of Parliament Assoc Prof Terence Ho inquired about statistics for regular performers and whether more stringent quality benchmarks should be established for popular locations. Mr David Neo responded that nearly 140 acts perform at least weekly and that all performers are evaluated through professional auditions to ensure competency and engagement. The National Arts Council provides support through networking, workshops, and performance opportunities like ArtsEverywhere@CDC, while ensuring the Busking Scheme remains inclusive across over 90 locations. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth will continue collaborating with stakeholders to strengthen the busking ecosystem and help performers hone their craft.
Transcript
80 Assoc Prof Terence Ho asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) how many busking permit holders perform regularly, such as at least once a week, at designated busking locations; (b) whether the Ministry would consider setting a higher quality bar for the most popular busking locations; and (c) whether more support can be given to help buskers hone their craft and grow their audiences.
Mr David Neo: The National Arts Council (NAC) administers the Busking Scheme, which issues Letters of Endorsement (LOE) for buskers to perform at more than 90 designated locations islandwide. Currently, almost 140, or around one-third of the over 500 busking acts, book slots at these locations at least once a week.
Both aspiring and renewing buskers participate in auditions where they are assessed by their fellow industry professionals on competency, expression, audience engagement and innovation. This is to ensure that they are able to deliver quality street experiences for Singaporeans. Once endorsed, buskers can access all designated locations, in line with NAC's approach of keeping the Busking Scheme inclusive and accessible. NAC engages the Busking Consultative Committee (BCC) and busking community on how standards can be collectively upheld.
NAC supports buskers through platforms, such as Buskers Connect, which facilitates networking and learning from one another. NAC also partners *SCAPE to offer workshops and performance opportunities for endorsed and aspiring buskers. Additional performance opportunities at ArtsEverywhere@CDC Street Performances help buskers reach new audiences and gain broader performance experience.
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth will continue to work with NAC and the broader community of stakeholders to strengthen the busking ecosystem.