Singapore embarks on arts mission tour to Asian cities

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 ◆ Singapore embarks on arts mission tour to Asian cities

Three Singaporean agencies have embarked on an arts mission tour to five Asian cities of Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo and Taipei from Aug. 16-23, aiming to promote Singapore as an international arts hub for unique and exciting arts and entertainment experiences.

During the tour, the artists would conduct informal dialogue sessions to update on the latest developments in the Singapore arts industry as well as to share their insights on the transformation Singapore has undergone in the past 10 years, Yeow Mei Sin, deputy director of the Singapore Tourism Board told reporters here on August 16.

In the last decade, the government's direct funding to arts has increased tenfold, and "the Lion City is ready to join the ranks of the other top arts cities in the world, " Yeow said.

With the opening of the world-class performing arts center Esplanade in October this year, a three-week arts festival would be put on there, pushing the city's artistic atmosphere to a new height.

According to Susan Loh, director of the Singapore National Arts Council, there are concerts, arts galleries and exhibitions at the small city every weekend, and world renowned artists have been attracted to the stages there.

These arts performances not only enriched the lives of the Singapore people, but also facilitated the development of tourism, Yeow noted. In 2000, some 70,000 tourists visited Singapore for arts activities, doubling the number in 1999.

The arts promotion tour was co-organized by the Singapore National Arts Council under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, the Singapore Tourism Board and Contact Singapore. Singapore home-grown violinist Min Lee accompanied the delegation to symbolize the country's success in nurturing artists.