• Developing cities today understand the role that a vibrant arts scene can play in raising their global profiles.

• In the Middle East, cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Damascus, Beirut and Doha are developing cultural precincts, art fairs, gallery districts and museums.

• In the Asia-Pacific region, Seoul and Beijing are developing reputations as cutting-edge arts locales which look to both experimental and traditional forms of cultural expression. Hong Kong is fast developing as an Asian Hub for arts trade and auctions.

Culture and Economic DevelopmentSurvey of Asian Region and Questions for Discussion

The Gulf States

Museum of Islamic Art

Saadiyat Island Cultural Centre

Gulf Art Network- Massive investment in creating iconic and authentic content, events and institutions- Strong foundation in terms of wealth, heritage, audiences and talent- Sophisticated means of marketing, engagement and audience development

Models for Bras BasahEdgy, Eclectic, Contemporary

Beijing

Beijing- Asia’s centre for contemporary art

798 Special Art Zone - Originally a derelict government ammunitions plant, converted into studios and live-in lofts by artists in search of low-cost space.

- China's premier contemporary art hub with 50 galleries, art centres, artists, bookshops, bars and restaurants.

- Facing gentrification, like Soho/Chelsea in New York

- Ever-increasing rents have priced out many artists and galleries, who have since moved further away to Songzhuang Artist Village and Cao Chang Di.

Models for Bras BasahEdgy, Eclectic, Contemporary

Hong Kong

Thriving Fine Arts & Entertainment Industry-Vibrant commercial art scene and auctions calendar

- facilitative tax policies, (eg no GST and low withholding tax).

West Kowloon Cultural District- US$2 billion World class integrated arts and cultural district on a 40 ha prime waterfront site.

- Contains 15 performance venues and a Museum Plus.

- Phase 1 will be ready in 2014-2015 and Phase 2 by 2026.

Models for Bras BasahEdgy, Eclectic, Contemporary

Seoul

“Vision 2015, Cultural City Seoul” Masterplan - US$7.8B plan to increase Seoul’s competitiveness by re-inventing the city landscape and developing high quality culture.

- Aims to increase the number of art galleries from 25 to 50, and museums from 67 to 150 by 2015.

- Build public-run studios for affordable stage performances

- S$2m to support amateur artists or young professionals

Musical theatre industry - Growing at 30% per annum, with more than 50 production companies staging 150 musicals each year

- Private property developers are integrating cultural facilities within commercial buildings

• Singapore has come far in terms of cultural infrastructure, vibrancy and audiences.

• But we are still not noted internationally for our arts and culture scene.

• Nor have we fully recognised the value of arts and culture like our neighbors.

• How can we use arts and culture to enhance our image and rejuvenate our economy?

Where does Singapore stand?

• Which iconic cultural institutions and events can we develop and promote?

• Which of our historical structures, precincts and monuments should we preserve and promote?

• How do we develop distinctive content which references our geographical context and histories?

Distinctiveness

Development

• What arts and cultural infrastructure is needed to grow and sustain a more vibrant and diverse local arts landscape?

• How do we attract or develop the arts and cultural talent required to support this industry?

• What can we do differently to create a vibrant and sustainable arts industry? Business Models, eg. arts clusters, theatres in malls, arts centres managing residential/commercial properties Flexible policies, eg. GST, land pricing and use.

• Broadway contribution to New York City’s economy: S$8 bil

• 60% of this comes from tourism

• London’s performing arts cluster (28 institutions and festivals) contributes S$1 bil to London’s economy

• More than 50% of the value-add comes from tourists

New York CityLondon

Performing Arts – Still no Asian centre

Broadway theaters defied the recession to post record ticket sales of USD943.3M in the 2008/09 season in what has been attributed to “a need for escapism” (Reuters, 26 May 2009).

West End Theatres have posted record sales of 480.6M pounds in 2008, as people show a “dogged determination to keep going out to have a good time” despite the recession (Telegraph.co.uk, 26 Jan 2009).

Resilience to prevailing economic conditions

Left: “The World’s Greatest Art Businessman” Larry Gagosian set up branch gallery in Hong Kong in May 08

Right: Philantrophist Guy Ullens, owner of Ullens Centre for

Contemporary Art (UCCA), a private museum in Beijing. UCCA conducts

regular seminars for public to learn about contemporary Chinese art

Left: Anupam Poddar, owner of high-end luxury Devi Garh hotel chain, and his mother Lekha . Set up Devi Art Foundation near Delhi in 2008 to showcase personal collection of 2,000 contemporary art works from India for public enjoyment

Visual Arts – Shift of focus to Asia

Asian art gaining international prominenceRising affluence in Asia generates

new art collector market

China overtook France as 3rd largest art auction market in 2007

Indonesian contemporary art prices rose by up to 4000% since 2006

Indian contemporary art price index rose by >3000% since 1998,

Major New York galleries opening Asian outposts

Global Art Businesses & Personalities Establishing in Asia

Demand

• How can we grow regional and global demand (ie cultural tourism) to sustain the development of our arts scene?

• What strategies can we adopt to encourage greater philanthropy and patronage? How do we engage potential regional and international patrons & collectors?

• How do we encourage Singaporeans and residents to participate more in arts and culture activities?

Singapore New York London

Tourists per year as % of

city popn (2006)

212% 99% 208%

Admissions to major theatres

1.5M 12.5M 12.4M

Visitorship to top 5

museums2.6M 8.3M 20.4M

Diversity

• Singapore is already Asia’s most open and culturally diverse city, melding the best of the East and the West.

• How can we better promote our historic and evolving cultural diversity as an attractive factor?

• How can we reap new economic opportunities from catering to the specific needs of different peoples? Eg. Muslims/Middle Easterners, new Indian and Chinese residents, Southeast-Asians

A Leading Global City

• Mercantile, trading nation • Fiercely independent, fiercely mercenary• Developed a strong sense of aesthetics • Expropriated the cultures & talents of the region as its own • Influenced regional and global economy and culture• Lasted for 1100 years…