Singapore Arts

 

Art is the expression of the culture of a people. Culture is the embodiment of total achievements like values and shared expressions that are realized through the people’s common efforts towards building up of common civilized society. Singapore, a land of varied art and culture, observes several events and occasions throughout the year.

There are many art forms which are acclaimed as symbols Singapore’s identity. These include theatre, dance, music, martial art, mythology, spirituality, religious festivals, sculpture, architecture, painting, choreography, kite making, food recipes, etc. Despite Singapore’s cosmopolitan nature and global influences, its arts and culture scene bustles with ethnic influences. The city remains uniquely Asian, a total haven for art junkies.

The Singapore Arts Festival began in 1977, celebrating Singapore’s diverse communities. Over the past 30 years, the National Arts Council has been instrumental in developing the Art and Culture scene, transforming the city’s landscape.

 

The new theme for the 2010 Art Fest is Between You and Me, as the name suggests coming closer to Art. The fest actually plans to reach out to people in ways not imagined before.

 

Places to Visit

 

Sculpture Square
Sculpture Square organizes many modelling events throughout the year. Many artists, of all ages, take part in the events. They organize sculpture workshops for aspiring artists and students from Singapore and rest of the world. Several internationally famous artists participate in these events.

 

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
Mr.Huang Suiheng, a Chinese artist formed the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. The school is the first of its kind in Singapore. The school attracted many international geniuses and with their efforts the academy was promoted to fame. Many of its alumni became world renowned artists. Some of them returned to the school to join as faculty. The Academy imparts courses on 3D design, dance, design & media, fashion studies, fine art, music and theatre.

 

Singapore Art Museum
The Singapore Art Museum is the international standard art museum that displays great art works of Singapore of all times. 

Be sure to visit the other museums for Still Art forms as well. The National Museum of Singapore, The Asian Civilizations Museum and Esplanade – Theatres on the bay. These are the top places to visit to view world class exhibitions and art works.

 

 

The MINT (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys) Museum of Toys, opened in 2006, is the first of its kind in the world. 

Singapore’s new Peranakan Museum is a treat for culture buffs. Houses a wide exhibit of the Peranakan culture.

 

Besides still art forms, the are various Performing Arts groups too, which offer entertainment by the locals. The country’s art scene is enriched by ethnic and traditional performances as well as modern ones. Established Art groups are Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Dance Theatre, Singapore Chinese Orchestra, to name a few.

 

Dance in Singapore
Singapore has a tradition of enriching a variety of dance forms. There are ongoing events in Singapore sponsored by companies like Singapore Dance Theatre, The Arts and Fission Company, Odyssey Dance Theatre and Ecnad. While in Singapore you have good chance of enjoying many ethnic dance forms: Chinese, Malay, Indian, Russian, European and Japanese dances.

 

Wushu (Martial Art of China)       Wushu is a form of martial art and the name itself means martial art. Wushu has also developed a form of sport looks like wrestling. This form of performance was used as a means of self defense and part of ethics study, later it took the form of a modern sport and also performed as an entertaining show. The performance of this art form is organized by Singapore National Olympic Council. 

 

 

 

One can get a comprehensive listing of performances and exhibits happening throughout the year through The Singapore Tourism Board’s event calendar.