The Arts House Turned Five!
Five New Collaborations with Singapore Arts Groups lined up in 2009!
Singapore, 27 March 2009 – The Arts House turned five yesterday on Thursday, 26 March 2009 and embarked on five new collaborations with various arts groups in Singapore this year in view of the gloomy times ahead!
The Arts House took the leap by collaborating with five local arts groups to showcase a variety of theatre productions, a dance festival in conjunction with the Singapore River Festival and a cultural festival which traces the ancestral background of the Malays within the Malay Archipelago.
In addition, The Arts House reinforced existing partnerships with Short+Sweet Singapore, Singapore Drama Educators Association, National Book Development Council of Singapore and National Arts Council for upcoming major festivals this year such as Short+Sweet, Celebrate Drama!, Singapore International Storytelling Festival and Singapore Writers Festival, and continued to play a supporting role to more arts groups especially in performance arts throughout the year.
The five new major productions that will be supported by The Arts House this year include
- CampFire 09 and Songs for Gaia
In conjunction with the annual Singapore River Festival, The Arts House is partnering ECNAD to present CampFire09, a dance festivalto be held at The Arts House from 19 – 27 June 2009. The festival line-up includes dance performances, a dance photo-taking competition, talks, workshops, a dance marathon and especially featuring ECNAD’s upcoming production Songs For Gaia.
- Blanc Space: The New Play Season
In collaboration with Drama Box, The Arts House will be hosting a two-week programme that will showcase three completed scripts which were written during the Playwright Series I, an 18-month script incubating programme where aspiring writers are paired up with local playwright-mentors to develop new original Chinese theatre plays. Blanc Space will also feature two Playread Sessions for new scripts-in-progress developed under Playwright Series II, and a series of workshops and forum discussions.
- Play Den Productions
With an aim to encourage new works and productions of Singapore issue with universal appeal, The Arts House will co-produce a series of four theatre productions together with Orangedot Management to be held at the Play Den from August to December 2009. Collectively, the theme to be explored is Back to Soul, a re-look into the simple productions with high production values, working with local directors, writers, actors and design collaborators. In line with The Arts House's mission to actively promote and showcase Singapore talents on international platforms, the Play Den Productions will eventually be exported overseas to take part in regional arts festivals organised by our venue partners like the Hong Kong Fringe Club and Brisbane Powerhouse.
- King Size Bra
In collaboration with The ETCeteras, the Parliamentary Debating Chamber at The Old Parliament House will relive its time as a “stage for negotiation” with the politics in a team and of creation among the different protagonists. In this satire to be staged in October 2009, the back-stage will take front-stage. Watch how a production team (of the PM, SM and MM) struggle to put together a fairy tale King Size Bra as they wrestle with faults and conflict within and without thrashing against bonds both external and self-imposed, gasping for breath between what is necessary, and what is merely arbitrary.
- Dunia Melayu (Malay World) Festival
Showcasing leading thought leaders and artists of the Dunia Melayu, the festival seeks to build and deepen historical, cultural and social engagements within the Dunia Melayu and the rest of the world. Co-organised by The Arts House and NUDA, the 8-day festival will feature a series of talks, performances and exhibitions from 4 – 12 December 2009.
Mr Jeremiah Choy, Artistic Curator of the Play Den Productions and General Manager of Orangedot Management said: "We want to look at modular and mobile productions that emphasises on good writing, directing, acting and everything that supports that. In the present day audience notion of "bigger production is better", we want to prove that small scale productions can be more personal and powerful too. It is heartening that The Arts House is collaborating with us to work on these productions despite the economic downturn. This support during these hard times demonstrates the faith and true support that The Arts House has for the arts and the artistes.”
“We thank The Arts House for their support for making Songs For Gaia possible and collaborating in CampFire. This collaboration helps to make dance-related projects possible, accessible and encourage more public awareness and participation," said Mr Lim Chin Huat, Artistic Co-Director of ECNAD on their upcoming collaboration with The Arts House.
Ms Lim Hai Yen, Artistic Director of The ETCeteras added: "The current economic downturn presents challenges for arts groups which are seeing sponsors and audiences tightening their purse-strings. It is heartening that organisations like The Arts House have been unwavering in their support for the arts. The ETCeteras is happy and grateful to The Arts House for their belief and partnership in the pursuit for more original works, the freedom and space the team provide are also overwhelming generous!"
Said Mr Colin Goh, General Manager of The Old Parliament House Limited (which manages The Arts House): "We are not slowing down or cutting back on our programming this year despite the economic climate. Instead, we are doing more for our arts groups by supporting and providing them opportunities to showcase their works. We will work hand-in-hand with these arts groups to ensure that the survival of the local arts scene throughout the hard times. We will be positive and hope the new collaborations will instil assurance in The Arts House’s pledge in creating a brighter future for all our artists in Singapore.”
Indeed, The Arts House will continue to strive and support our local arts scene and see through this economic downturn. For more information and updates on the upcoming festivals and activities, please visit www.theartshouse.com.sg or contact our Box Office at +65 6332 6919.
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The Arts House at the Old Parliament
Occupying the 182-year old building which was the former Parliament House and Singapore’s first Court House, The Arts House was officially opened in March 2004 as the only gazetted government building designated as a multidisciplinary arts centre. The Arts Househas since beenoffering itsvisitors a broad spectrum of activities ranging from contemporary arts & entertainment events to lifestyle options, and at the same time playing an active role in the development of the Singapore arts & creative scene with its strong intent in supporting and promoting Singapore artists and their artworks through its various initiatives and platforms in Singapore as well as internationally. The Arts House is managed by The Old Parliament House Limited, a not-for-profit full-service arts management company limited by guarantee. For further information, please visit www.theartshouse.com.sg
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For media queries, please contact:
Amira Osman
Executive, Arts & Communications
The Arts House (Managed by The Old Parliament House Limited)
1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429
Tel: +65 6332 6915
Fax: +65 6336 3021
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
