COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE HERITAGE SECTOR IN 2022
OUR SG HERITAGE PLAN PROGRESS UPDATE AND OUR SG HERITAGE PLAN 2.0
Our SG Heritage Plan – Update
Our SG Heritage Plan was launched in 2018, and has helped reaffirm Singapore’s shared values and identity, introducing diverse heritage offerings and multiple touchpoints. Some highlights of what the plan has achieved to date include museums that are now more accessible through digital initiatives and offerings that reach out to a greater audience; new Street Corner Heritage Galleries to celebrate heritage in everyday spaces, and community heritage galleries, including the Kreta Ayer Heritage Gallery and Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery; and greater public recognition of the value of heritage in our everyday lives through our National Monuments and by celebrating our intangible cultural heritage.
Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0
NHB has been actively consulting a diverse range of stakeholders since June 2021 to gather their views on the future of the heritage landscape. Incorporating the insights from our museum community, youth, creatives, heritage societies, and heritage business owners, NHB is exploring the following areas for Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0:
a) Telling the Singapore Story in compelling and multimodal ways, and showcasing Singapore’s heritage beyond our shores, while learning from the best internationally to develop our talents in the sector;
b) Developing and leveraging new digital capabilities to enrich their efforts to connect Singaporeans to their heritage and to reap operational efficiencies;
c) Working with industries and communities to celebrate our unique local histories and heritage;
d) building on existing efforts to engender stronger community co-ownership of our heritage and strengthening and creating new opportunities for volunteerism.
ARTS AND CULTURE DIGITAL ROADMAP
MCCY launched the Arts and Culture Digital Roadmap on 28 February 2022. Hosted on MCCY, NAC and NHB’s websites, the Roadmap articulates digital solutions and funding support available to the sector, in support of the sector’s digital transformation efforts and adoption of technology across the arts and culture value-chain. It includes a self-assessment checklist for arts and culture organisations, and a list of funding schemes and resources that support digital transformation.
INCORPORATING ACRP SCHEMES INTO NHB’S REGULAR GRANT SCHEMES
The Organisation Transformation Grant (OTG) was introduced as a one-off measure under the Arts and Culture Resilience Package in 2021. Since its introduction, the OTG has supported over 100 transformation projects involving more than 190 organisations. NHB will mainstream the OTG into its existing grant schemes – such as the Heritage Participation Grant, Minor Project Grant and Major Project Grant – for the heritage sector, and details will be announced at a later date.
GAZETTE OF PADANG AS A NATIONAL MONUMENT
NHB is working towards the gazette of the Padang as a National Monument on National Day 2022. This is in line with the historic significance of the Padang, having borne witness to many significant national events including the inaugural National Day Parade in 1966.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENTS ON POSSIBLE ELEMENTS FOR SINGAPORE’S SECOND UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE LIST FOR ICH NOMINATION
NHB has commenced consultations with various heritage stakeholders on the possible intangible cultural heritage (ICH) elements for Singapore’s second UNESCO ICH nomination. During the engagements, stakeholders have expressed that the second UNESCO ICH nomination should remain multicultural in nature, as well as relatable to all Singaporeans. The current shortlist of elements are:
NHB will be further engaging key stakeholders and the general public before reaching a decision on the ICH element to be nominated.
FOUNDERS’ MEMORIAL TRAVELLING EXHIBITION
The upcoming Founders’ Memorial “Share Your Story, Shape Our Memorial” Travelling Exhibition will feature a Public Call for objects and stories that relate to encounters with our founding leaders, and/or a national policy or milestone linked to independent Singapore, such as citizenship and building a shared Singapore identity, and Singapore’s urban transformation and economic progress. The travelling exhibition will also share an update on the Founders’ Memorial architectural design.
UPDATE ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND SPACES
The Peranakan Museum
Following extensive consultations with the community, the Peranakan Museum will reopen in 2023, with an expanded curatorial focus that looks at the rich cross-cultural traditions and distinctive arts of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia.
Children’s Museum Singapore
The Children’s Museum Singapore (CMSG) will open in December 2022. CMSG will showcase a range of topics in its interactive exhibitions, including Singapore’s history and biodiversity, and help foster a stronger awareness of our shared values and national identity from a young age.