Resonance: January - March 2009

140 Hill Street, 6th Storey, MICA Building Singapore 179369 T: 65 6270 7988 F: 65 6837 9480 E: mica@mica.gov.sg www.mica.gov.sg

Issue 8 â&#x20AC;˘ Jan - Mar 2009

Helping The Creative Industries

The Kangxi Emperor: Treasures from the Forbidden City 13 March 2009 – 14 June 2009

NLB and its Economic Survivor Series

A conversation with a NAC Arts Scholarship recipient

Boost for Design Training and Capability Development

IDA International – Exporting Singapore’s e-Government strategies

Providing Singaporean film directors with opportunities

Ensuring needy students have access to infocomm

Shop for library gifts online

Dear Readers The economic downturn has hit many businesses and individuals hard. The creative industries have not been immune from the downturn. MICA will do its utmost to help creative enterprises in these turbulent times, as well as to prepare them to take advantage of new opportunities when the economy recovers. In this issue, read about the various initiatives that MICA and its agencies have undertaken to sustain the creative industries and help individuals during this time of economic uncertainty. We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Resonance.

Snapshots – events roundup

This March, the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) offers rare insights into the life and rule of one of China’s greatest emperors, Emperor Kangxi. 95 exquisite treasures from The Palace Museum in Beijing, the private collections of Mr Christopher Hall and Mr Denis Low, and ACM’s very own collection tell the story of Emperor Kangxi’s life, from the time he ascended the throne at the tender age of eight, his consolidation of Manchu rule over China, to his efforts in achieving peace and prosperity. With The Kangxi Emperor: Treasures from the Forbidden City happening at ACM, Singaporeans can now enjoy a comprehensive overview of a significant part of China’s history without travelling the distance.

Singapore Day 2009 25 April 2009

Singapore Arts Festival 2009 15 May 2009 – 14 June 2009

Singapore Day 2009 comes to London on 25 April 2009. Soak up the ambience as Hampton Court Palace is transformed into a Singapore you grew up in, the Singapore of today and the Singapore of the future. Grab the chance to relive your childhood memories of home, growing up years and shared experiences. Find out where Singapore is headed in the areas of lifestyle, recreation and the economy. Singapore Day is the signature programme in the overall effort to engage overseas Singaporeans. It is held annually in a different city with a significant overseas Singaporean community.

The Singapore Arts Festival 2009 will be showcasing 26 core productions and over 400 free outreach programmes, exhibitions and special events that promise to enthrall, engage and uplift the spirits. Organised by the National Arts Council, the programme features seven new commissions which include two world premieres. In view of the current economic climate, ticket prices have been reduced by 20%, starting at $16 for some shows.

EVENTS ROUNDUP

Here’s a sneak preview of the line-up of exciting events that MICA has in store for 2009.

For more information, please log on to www.singaporeartsfest.com.

Editorial Board Julia Hang Gavin Chelvan Contributors Kenneth Tan Diana Ng Lim Jia Ying Tam Shu Er Photo Credits Infocomm Development Authority National Arts Council National Library Board Oak3 Films

Recycle Your Reading 25 April 2009 Exchange your used books with other book lovers at the Book Exchange. Simply follow these three easy steps: 1. Bring your used books to any Public Library from 11 to 24 April, 11am to 8pm. On 25 April, used books are accepted only at the National Library Building. 2. Drop off your used books and get a book exchange coupon indicating one-for-one exchange for the books accepted. 3. Bring your coupon to The Plaza, National Library Building, on 25 April from 10.30am to 6pm to redeem for used books dropped off by other book lovers. Children’s and adults’ fiction and non-fiction books in any of the four official languages are accepted. Textbooks, magazines and audio-visual materials will not be accepted. For more information, please visit www.pl.sg. For enquiries, please call NLB Helpdesk at 6332 3255 or email: helpdesk@nlb.gov.sg.

Julia Hang (Mrs) Chairperson, Resonance Editorial Board resonance:08:09

SHOP FOR LIBRARY GIFTS Local and overseas visitors who wish to remember their memorable experiences at the National Library Board (NLB) libraries can now buy them online at The Library Shop, at http://shop.nlb.gov.sg. From publications, collectibles, accessories, apparel and stationery, there is a wide choice of unique gifts that could make interesting gifts for your friends and even corporate partners. Bring home a souvenir of the National Library Building, with the choice of a pewter penholder, notepad or a contemporary framed artpiece. Travel through time with our set of coasters depicting the Raffles Library & Museum, the National Library at Stamford Road, the current National Library Building and Bishan Public Library. Go casual with our Knowledge, Imagination and Possibility-themed T-shirts and relive your eureka moments at the library. Pen your thoughts for reflection with our heritage-themed notepad or spruce up your book collection with the ever-popular bookends.

Feeling nostalgic about the red-brick National Library at Stamford Road? Keep those memories alive with postcards, watches, magnets, bookends and memo holders. Also on sale are exhibition memorabilia such as a publication on “Zheng He and Maritime Asia” and a wood-crafted art piece on the “KaalaChakra: Early Indian Influences in Southeast Asia” exhibition. Books available online are corporate publications like “Knowledge, Imagination, Possibility: Singapore’s Transformative Library”, reference books like the “National Directory of Scholars”, and even books for children like “The Tale of the Missing Tail and Other Original Singapore Stories”. A delivery service is included at attractive rates to complete your shopping experience. Most overseas destinations are included if you are sending your purchases to friends living abroad. Visit http://shop.nlb.gov.sg now to start shopping!

NLB AND ITS

ECONOMIC SURVIVOR SERIES The current economic downturn spells some challenging times ahead, with the possibility of unemployment or the need to switch jobs. It is not always easy to know where to look for help to upgrade our skills or simply to make the process more painless. The National Library Board (NLB) has stepped up to the plate with its new Economic Survivor Series, which introduces a series of free knowledge-based workshops to address the social and life-skill readiness of retrenched professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs), mid-career job seekers and fresh graduates. The programmes, which will be supported by key government partner agencies such as the Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, will be conveniently held at the 22 Public Libraries across the island. This is in line with NLB’s aim to help individuals build capacity in self-awareness and learning, so they can better manage in this downturn. The Economic Survivor Series comprises of four key learning tracks and participants will also be equipped with info-literacy skills to search for resources effectively at the end of each course. A virtual guide of programme-related library e-Resources will enable participants to maximise the use of the library resources to further develop their understanding of topics.

Participants of the “Secure a Job” workshop break into small groups to share personal insights on career building tips

Learn-A-Skill The public can attend hands-on workshops to learn new skills of varied interest areas such as gardening, baking, DIY nail art design, jewellery making and basic massage. Beyond personal development, these skills may also potentially spin off to become viable revenue sources for participants. One such course is a course in April teaching participants how to grow their own leafy vegetables. Career Planning & Development Career consultants will conduct talks and workshops where individuals will be guided on career building tips from writing effective resumes, promoting creativity at work to enhancing one’s employability. One of the courses in May will teach participants how to enhance the level of creativity at work. Financial Literacy & Family Resilience A series of financial literacy programmes will be conducted to provide basic financial education for families and individuals to build assets and achieve financial stability. Being financially savvy can help people make more informed spending decisions and protect themselves against unforeseen circumstances. In addition, there will be a series of health and mental well-being talks that will provide useful information on how to maintain a positive mindset and well-being in the light of the current economic situation. One such course in May teaches participants on how to stretch their Medisave dollar. Entrepreneurship Budding entrepreneurs will have a chance to get up close and personal with successful entrepreneurs through networking sessions. At these sessions, participants will gain insights on ways to stay relevant as well as business opportunities present in the current financial downturn. One of the courses in May will touch on the three factors necessary to start a business in Singapore. More information about NLB’s Economic Survivor Series can be found at www.pl.sg.

resonance:00:01

A conversation with a NAC Arts Scholarship recipient Evelyn Tan, just 18, is at the Boston Conservatory pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in modern and contemporary dance on a National Arts Council (NAC) Arts Scholarship. Evelyn joined the Singapore Ballet Academy in 2003 and has since obtained her Royal Academy of Dance Advanced Level with Distinction. In 2005, she performed in Singapore Dance Theatre’s Nutcracker as well as The Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake at the Esplanade. She has danced with the John Mead Moving Image Arts Dance Company since 2006. In 2007, she took part in Perth’s Theatrical Festival 2007 and obtained first place in the National Open Novice category and the Neo-Classical Under-18 Novice category. She also received an Honourable Mention at the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD) Asia-Pacific Competition 2007.

What has taking up the Shell-NAC scholarship meant for you? Getting this scholarship meant the opportunity to obtain the exposure and training I felt I needed to become a successful dancer. It also motivated me to continue on the path I have chosen because it shows that others are willing to invest in my abilities as a dancer. Knowing the Government is helping sponsor my education in dance also shows me that they want to invest in the arts. With such enthusiasm towards the arts I know a lot of positive changes will occur in Singapore’s dance scene. Has becoming a dancer always been your ambition?

Ever since I was young I have always enjoyed being on stage. I loved being on stage so much that I tried singing and acting as well (anything as long as it gave me the opportunity to perform). It wasn’t until I was around 13 years old that I realised dance was my favourite form of communicating to the audience. At that age I was more aware of what I really wanted to do with my life. Thankfully my mum had put me in dance classes since the age of 4 so when I came to the realisation of what I wanted to do, all I had to do was intensify the amount of training to reach my goals.

How would you describe your overseas experience?

My experience overseas so far has been an eye opener. I wanted to continue my education in dance outside of Singapore because I knew it would expose me to things I had not experienced before. As a dancer, one needs to be versatile in order to be successful and it is the exposure that allows one to mould into a versatile dancer. So far one of the most beneficial things I have experienced is having many different dance teachers. Some teach different things from others and they all offer different views on what makes a great dancer. With such variety in teaching methods, all I have to do is pick the components that are most beneficial and combine them so I can become the dancer I want to be. Being overseas, I have also seen that Singaporean dancers have enough talent to be successful. Dancers are like athletes, the more training they have, the stronger they become. There is so much talent back home and with the support for rigorous training, many dancers will be able to take their talent to another level, which is what I have been given the opportunity to do, with the support of NAC. What has been your biggest personal achievement thus far?

It is hard to pinpoint my biggest achievement so far. All my achievements have played an important role in influencing my choice to take the path of a dancer. The performances I have participated in, remind me of why I choose to do what I do. Every performance feels like an achievement because of all the training and practice I had to put in to get to that one moment. It is truly a very rewarding feeling. What would you like to see happen in Singapore’s dance scene in ten years’ time?

The Singapore dance scene is definitely moving in the right direction. With institutions such as SOTA and professional performance locations such as the Esplanade, more opportunities are developing. The Singapore public is becoming more exposed to the arts and hopefully in ten years’ time, the support from the public will increase.

Dr Lee Boon Yang officiating at the launch event of IDA International

IDA INTERNATIONAL Exporting Singapore’s e-Government Strategies With increasing requests and interest from foreign governments for Singapore to advise on e-Government masterplanning and developing of ICT solutions, the Info-comm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) launched IDA International Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary, to serve as the execution arm for all collaborations on public service infocomm between Singapore and other countries on 17 February 2009. Singapore has successfully established several government-to-government infocomm collaborations with countries from all regions in the world. These include Brunei in Southeast Asia; Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain in the Middle East; South Africa; as well as Brazil and Trinidad & Tobago in the Americas. IDA International will continue to further explore possible collaborations in Asia, the Middle East, South Africa, Central & South America and the Caribbean. Mr Seah Chin Siong, CEO of IDA International, highlighted that Singapore’s 30 years of experience in infocomm solutions in the public sector puts it in good stead to explore engagements and collaborations on e-Government. He said, “There are many countries today that can benefit from Singapore’s ICT experience and expertise. Singapore is in a unique position to assist these countries in areas such as National Infocomm planning, Government Chief Information Office (GCIO) capability development,

ICT Industry development and human capital development amongst others. Through IDA International, we are able to bring our public service infocomm solutions to accelerate the execution of Government Infocomm programmes in these countries.” In order to further internationalise our local ICT sector to tap on new opportunities, IDA International will also be involving local industry partners in its foreign engagement by leveraging on Singapore’s eGov and public sector infocomm success. IDA International will also engage government agencies like IE Singapore and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) to export Singapore’s infocomm capabilities together. At the launch of IDA International, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr Lee Boon Yang, underscored that in addition to supporting public sector infocomm collaboration, IDA International will also be an ideal platform for local infocomm companies to tide over the current poor economic situation by reaching into new markets. Dr Lee said, “I would like to encourage all local infocomm enterprises to explore possible collaboration with IDA International to tap on the Government’s resources to help grow their business overseas. We can work together to seize the opportunities that are still available in these difficult times, and at the same time prepare ourselves to move ahead even faster when the world economy recovers.” resonance:06:07

ENSURING NEEDY STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO INFOCOMM Since 1999, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has been helping to build an all-inclusive digital society by providing needy students with access to infocomm via the NEU PC Programme. To date, the NEU PC programme has benefited more than 26,000 needy households. The NEU PC programme started as a pilot scheme in 1999, offering refurbished PCs to financially-challenged households. Addressing today’s dynamic school curriculum, IDA enhanced the NEU PC programme further in 2006, renaming it, the NEU PC Plus programme. The NEU PC Plus programme offers students from low-income households and disabled people new computers. The computers come bundled with 3-year free broadband access and software at a price of less than $300. The NEU PC Plus programme has proved especially useful to students who currently have to go to school or libraries to gain access to computers to do their homework. P.A. Mukgunthan, one of the 7,000 beneficiaries of the NEU PC Plus programme, now saves time and transport

costs with home access. Mukgunthan told The Straits Times newspaper: “I’m very happy to have free Internet. Now I can do all the things that my friends are doing too”. A total of $47 million has been approved for the provision of computers to needy households via NEU PC Plus. This is expected to benefit an additional 38,000 needy households by 2015. More plans are in the pipeline to improve the NEU PC Plus programme. In 2009, a supplementary programme will be developed to enable households who already own a PC but cannot afford to pay for Internet services to have access to broadband services. Needy students can apply for the NEU PC Plus programme through the Association of Muslim Professionals, Chinese Development Assistance Council, The Eurasian Association, the Institute of Technical Education, Sikh Centre, Singapore Indian Development Assocation, Society for the Physically Disabled and Yayasan MENDAKI. For more information, please refer to IDA’s website www.ida.gov.sg/neupc.

PROVIDING SINGAPOREAN FILM DIRECTORS WITH

PPORTUNITIES

As part of the Government’s effort to increase funding for collaborative media projects with the private sector, the Singapore Film Commission (SFC) will continue to support Singaporean directors through the New Feature Film Fund. The fund, set up in 2008, gives emerging Singapore talents the opportunity to direct their feature film in collaboration with production companies. Last year, nine Singapore directors benefited from SFC’s funding support of over $2 million. One notable project which received funding was “Thunder Boys” by Singaporean actor and director Alaric Tay. This resulted in the first Singapore-Japan co-production. “Thunder Boys”, helmed by Singapore’s Pilgrim Pictures, Shooting Gallery Motion Pictures and Japan’s Flash Point, will cast actors from Singapore, Japan and China, with the intention of breaking into Japan. Potentially, such exposure could pave the way for more Singaporean films to be distributed in larger markets. “SFC’s award is a significant personal achievement as it represents the validation of my directing skills. I also hope to show the world the tropical side of Singapore – that we are not just an urban jungle, but a lush tropical Singapore, with beautiful beaches, greenery and waterways that come alive,” said Tay. Beyond production costs, the New Feature Film Fund also provides for up to $20,000 in funding support for first-time feature film directors to market their film. SFC is also partnering distributor Golden Village to distribute the films within Singapore and will negotiate with foreign distributors for overseas distribution. This ensures that all films funded under this scheme will receive a theatrical run in local cinemas. Mr Kenneth Tan, director of SFC and Chief Operating Officer of the Media Development Authority said, “We believe Singapore has a pool of untapped creative talent. Having supported more than 200 short films and 100 filmmakers at overseas film markets and festivals over the past decade, we want to help nurture the next generation of aspiring filmmakers.” The New Feature Film Fund scheme is open to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, with funding applicable to all genres except documentaries. More information on the scheme can be found on SFC’s website www.sfc.org.sg.

The film Blood Ties is one of the recipients of the New Feature Film Fund

resonance:02:03

Don’t allow the economic downturn to slow you down. Instead, let this be the best time to scale up your professional competencies!

The Design Capability Development Programme grant reaches out to designers and platforms across all design disciplines

In an economic crunch when businesses are practising cost cutting, the Government is pumping in more grants and subsidies for Singaporeans to undergo training and development to level up their competitiveness in preparation for the upturn. For the design sector, the DesignSingapore Council has enhanced its Design Capability Development Programme with funding of $10 million over the next two years. This programme provides funding support and enables designers, design students and companies to further their design capabilities through overseas exposure and continuing professional development.

Through this funding support, DesignSingapore aims to help Singapore designers and companies achieve design excellence and stay globally competitive. On top of funding support for design capability, DesignSingapore will be setting up a one-stop centre to help companies adopt design as a business strategy, match-make designers with companies, and provide design resources. Located on Level 1 of MICA Building, the Centre is part of the overall Design for Enterprises initiative launched in November 2008. This initiative comprises three programme stages – Design Touch, Design Engage and Design Excel, to help businesses progress through different levels of design capability.

The Design for Enterprises Centre will be a vital touch point for companies to learn about design, and work with design professionals to integrate design into their businesses. On top of calling its existing hotline and tapping on the online portal, companies will be able to visit the Centre’s resource library and The Professional Development Grant furthers seek the assistance of Centre Managers professional skills, design knowledge and on design matters. Through phone and management expertise of designers through walk-in consultations, Centre Managers local and overseas training. Singapore-based will analyse business needs, conduct companies will also receive sponsorship referrals and guide companies to take when they engage professionals to conduct up relevant design services. in-house design training for their staff. In addition, the Centre will offer clinic, Announced in December 2008, the Design dialogue and networking sessions, sharing Capability Development grant has benefited of successful case studies, seminars and Space Furniture, which was invited by company visits, as well as be a showcase Patricia Urquiola, a renowned Spanish of Singapore design excellence. designer, to give a lecture on furniture Both the Design Capability Development design to a Singapore audience. Another Programme, and Design for Enterprises grant recipient was Lu Yilin of fashion label Yumumu, who received funding for a 4-week Centre is expected to further empower the design sector and increase the women’s-wear pattern-making course at embedding of design across the economic the Istituto di Moda Burgo in Milan, Italy. clusters. This in turn, will level up design “As a recipient of the Design Capability grant, competencies and strengthen Singapore’s I feel that this exchange programme provided long-term design competitiveness. me with access to amazing resources, opportunities to attend talks by prominent designers and an immersive experience which has been extremely beneficial to my design education”, said graphic designer Wui Shu Xian, another grant recipient who participated in an exchange programme at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Open to all designers, the Overseas Development Grant serves to enhance their international exposure, experience and networks by providing financial support for internships, attachments, workshops, school exchanges and other relevant design programmes overseas.

BOOST FOR DESIGN TRAINING AND CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT

The Design for Enterprises Centre is part of the Design Touch component under the Design for Enterprises initiative

resonance:04:05