The Sands Innovative Arts Fund, a SGD500,000 (US$390,000) initiative of the Marina Bay Sands casino resort in Singapore, has given an update on its first year of work supporting arts organisations in the city state, and its plans for the second year of activities.
The casino complex said in its press release that seven Singaporean arts groups had so far benefitted from the Sands Innovative Arts Fund, with two new ones – Lirica Arts, and the Singapore Indian Orchestra and Choir – to get support in the second year.
According to the update, Lirica Arts works with “under-represented communities to create an authentic immersive experience blending digital technology with traditional theatre”. The Singapore Indian Orchestra and Choir is planning to produce a documentary to mark the 40th anniversary of its work promoting Indian music.
The Marina Bay Sands support mechanism was set up under the National Arts Council and its Sustain the Arts (stART) Fund.
Paul Town, chief operating officer of Marina Bay Sands, was quoted as saying: “As Singapore celebrates its diamond jubilee this year, we too will continue to invest in a shared future to foster a culturally rich and diverse Singapore identity for future generations to be proud of.”
Organisations that have been helped in the inaugural year of the fund and will be for the second year, include inwardBOUND and its community theatre arm re:ACT. It staged the ‘re:ACT Festival: Intergenerational Issues in Singapore’ (pictured) to encourage closer community connection between senior citizens and young people.
Low Eng Teong, chief executive of the National Arts Council, was cited as saying: “The success and impact of the arts programmes made possible by our partnership with Marina Bay Sands are truly uplifting.
“It is encouraging to see support benefitting more local groups as we drive positive change in our communities through the arts,” he added.
