Support and Promotion of Malay Arts Scene Locally and Internationally
Ministry of Culture, Community and YouthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Mohd Fahmi Bin Aliman’s inquiry regarding the funding, accessibility, and promotion of Singapore’s Malay arts scene both locally and internationally. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong Chun Fai replied that the National Arts Council offers diverse grants, scholarships, and incubation programmes to support both emerging and established artists. He noted that platforms like Esplanade’s Pesta Raya, the Chingay Parade, and Wisma Geylang Serai provide significant local and international exposure for Malay practitioners. Furthermore, cultural engagement is fostered through the NAC Arts Education Programme in schools and community initiatives such as Bulan Bahasa. Finally, the Minister emphasized the use of digital resources and heritage galleries to broaden public access to Malay arts and heritage.
Transcript
48 Mr Mohd Fahmi Bin Aliman asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what are the current funding and resources allocated to support the Malay arts scene in Singapore; (b) how has the Ministry ensured that these resources are accessible to both emerging and established Malay artists; (c) what initiatives provide Malay artists with a platform to showcase their work locally and internationally; and (d) how is the Ministry promoting cultural education and engagement of the Malay arts scene among the broader Singaporean population.
Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: Malay arts and heritage are a key part of our Singapore culture and essential to our national identity as Singaporeans.
The Government provides holistic support to develop Malay artists and arts groups. This enables them to continue creating and contributing to our vibrant Malay arts and culture landscape.
The National Arts Council (NAC) offers a suite of grants and initiatives to support content production in the arts sector, including by Malay artists and arts groups. For instance, NAC's Cultural Medallion (CM) and Young Artist Award (YAA) are pinnacle awards that recognise exemplary Singaporean artists. Award recipients have access to the CM Fund and YAA grant to further develop their artistic practices. Malay artists who were award recipients include, singer Mdm Rahimah Rahim (2021 CM recipient) and Mr Norhaizad Adam (2021 YAA recipient).
NAC's Major Company scheme has supported groups, such as Era Dance Theatre, that was co-founded by CM recipient, Mr Osman Abdul Hamid, to present annual events, like the Muara Festival which celebrates Malay dance. Under the Presentation and Participation grant, NAC has also supported performances organised by groups, such as the Persatuan Pemuzik Tradisional Melayu Singapura and many more.
To support capability development of young artists, NAC offers partnerships with local and international institutions for mentorship opportunities and the NAC Arts Scholarship for further education. The NAC Arts Scholarship has been awarded to many Malay artists, such as Nurul Shaza Binte Ishak, Muhammad Noramin Bin Mohamed Farid and many more.
The Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) also offers an Arts Incubation Programme to nurture up-and-coming Malay arts groups through collaborations with seasoned practitioners. NADI Singapura is one such beneficiary of the MHC programme.
There are also multiple platforms for Malay artists and arts groups to showcase their work to a broad audience at the international, national and community levels.
At the international level, Esplanade's annual Pesta Raya event offers Singaporean Malay artists and arts groups opportunities to celebrate and showcase their work to local and international audiences as well as collaborate with their regional counterparts. For example, Teater Ekamatra's sold-out production, Bawang Putih Bawang Merah, this year, featured artists from both Singapore and Malaysia.
At the national level, the People's Association's (PA's) Chingay Parade recruits over 150 performers to present the Malay ethnic segment, across various performing groups, such as music, percussion, dance and martial arts.
At the community level, as part of Wisma Geylang Serai's (WGS') programming, PA regularly engages Malay artists and arts groups to showcase their work.
There is a wide range of initiatives that promote broad-based interest and engagement in Malay arts.
NAC's Arts Education Programme (NAC-AEP) provides all students with access to quality arts education experiences. NAC-AEP includes more than 120 programmes conducted by Malay artists and arts groups that the Ministry of Education (MOE) schools can use in their arts education plans. The Cultural Performance Exposure Fund by the Malay Language Learning and Promotion Committee, MOE, exposes students in schools to Malay cultural performances. In addition, WGS works with the National Heritage Board to offer museum-based learning at the Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery for Primary 4 students.
PAssionArts initiatives, including Malay dance and music, are showcased at PA's community events in the local neighbourhoods. PA also encourages and supports residents to form Malay arts and culture interest groups at PA Community Clubs and Centres.
Bulan Bahasa (Malay Language Month), an initiative by the Malay Language Council Singapore, encourages the Malay community to embrace the Malay language and deepen its appreciation of Malay arts and culture. In conjunction with Bulan Bahasa, Esplanade organises Cipta Cita, to celebrate the Malay language through music.
Online resources are also available for the public to learn more about Malay arts and culture. On Esplanade Offstage, Esplanade's one-stop arts content and education platform for the performing arts in Singapore and Asia, traditional and contemporary Malay arts and artists are profiled through documentary videos, recordings of performances, articles, podcasts and educator resources.