Plans and Timeline to Implement Busking Zones

6 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth what are the plans and timeline to implement the busking zones that were announced in the Ministry's Committee of Supply debates in March 2020.

The Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth (Ms Low Yen Ling) (for the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth): Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Member for his support for the arts and busking. In March 2020, MCCY announced that we would introduce new busking zones at the Singapore River and Ang Mo Kio. The intention was for each of these zones to comprise a cluster of busking locations which our buskers would have the flexibility to move around. This would offer a more varied busking experience for audiences and ensure equitable access to popular busking spots. Unfortunately, the onset of COVID-19 in 2020 leading to a suspension of busking had meant that there was no opportunity for the new busking zones to be implemented and used by our buskers.

Since then, NAC has continued to engage our buskers and venue managers on ways to expand access to even more locations for our buskers, in preparation for the eventual resumption of busking. NAC has also been working on an online system to enhance access to busking locations and time for all buskers, in an equitable manner. NAC will share further details about this online system in the coming months.

The timeline for the implementation of these plans will have to take into consideration the prevailing COVID-19 situation. We have had to adopt a cautious approach due to the higher risk of virus transmission from activities involving singing and performing of wind and brass instruments, and the challenges of crowd management in open spaces.

Nonetheless, MCCY and NAC have been identifying ways to resume busking activities safely. In December 2020, NAC partnered Clarke Quay and *SCAPE to conduct busking pilots over three weekends which were well-received. Unfortunately, we had to delay the resumption of busking pilots due to the public health situation. We are looking to expand these pilots at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, NAC has rolled out various alternative platforms and initiatives for our buskers, encouraging them to pick up new skills and bring their performances into the digital space. For example, in December last year, NAC supported the Buskers’ Association through the Self-Employed Persons Grant (SEPG) to organise a series of workshops for the busking community, culminating in live performances at Our Tampines Hub in December 2021 and via livestream in January 2022.

NAC is committed to improving our busking infrastructure and processes and will take into consideration the feedback it has received from buskers and other stakeholders, such as venue managers. We appreciate and salute our busking community for their resilience and positive spirit during this challenging period, and we thank them for their patience and understanding.

11.00 am

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), written answers to questions not reached by the end of Question Time are reproduced in the Appendix, unless Members had asked for questions standing in their names to be postponed to a later Sitting day or withdrawn.]