In a significant boost to bilateral cultural relations, the National Arts Council of Singapore (NAC) and Creative Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the arts sector over the next five years.
Signed on 23 May in Singapore by NAC Chief Executive Officer Low Eng Teong and Creative Australia CEO Adrian Collette, the MoU marks a formal commitment by both agencies to work together more closely across various domains, including joint research in arts and wellness, technology, and audience engagement.
The agreement also paves the way for deeper artistic collaboration and cross-cultural exchange between artists and arts organisations from both nations. Key initiatives will include co-productions, presentation platforms, and mobility opportunities for creatives, enabling a richer and more diverse exchange of ideas and practices.
The MoU complements the ongoing agenda of the Australia-Singapore Arts Group (ASAG), which has been extended for a second term until 2025. Established under the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2015, ASAG serves as a vital platform for fostering bilateral arts and cultural cooperation.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the ASAG meeting, just ahead of the Cultural Leaders’ Forum 2024, further underscoring the shared commitment of both countries to promote dialogue and partnership in the arts.
Low Eng Teong, Chief Executive Officer of NAC, said, “NAC’s partnership with Creative Australia signifies the deep commitment of Singapore and Australia to work together to create new opportunities for our artists to showcase their talent and grow new audiences. As we look to promoting greater understanding and appreciation of each other’s arts and cultures, we hope to also contribute to an even more vibrant and diverse arts scene in Singapore, Australia, and the region.”
Creative Australia CEO Adrian Collette AM said, “Creative Australia warmly welcomes this new Memorandum of Understanding with the National Arts Council of Singapore. This agreement underscores our shared dedication to championing and investing in the arts, working collaboratively on research, and fostering meaningful connections between artists and organisations from our respective countries. We look forward to exploring the opportunities that arise to work together with the National Arts Council of Singapore in a spirit of friendship and mutual collaboration.”
Singapore and Australia share a strong and long standing arts and cultural relationship. In 2019, NAC signed a three-year Letter of Understanding (LoU) with Creative Australia (formerly Australia Council for the Arts) to signal both parties’ commitment to greater cultural cooperation.
Under the LoU, NAC and Creative Australia supported eight artists from the two countries under a micro-residency programme to seed research on artistic practice and collaborative opportunities, with the potential to spark new connections or deepen existing partnerships. NAC also commissioned a video performance titled Childhood for the Cultural Leaders’ Summit and ASAG meeting held virtually in 2020, bringing together elements of music, dance and poetry from Australia and Singapore.
The Singapore-Australia CSP has provided opportunities for both countries to learn from one another and showcase the best of the countries’ respective arts and cultural offerings to global audiences.
Some notable collaborative projects include showcases by Singaporean artists from NAC Major Company recipient SAtheCollective at the 2020 Sydney Festival, and the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts organised by Arts Centre Melbourne which showcased Singapore productions and artists.
More recently, in 2023, Wild Rice Singapore and Victorian Opera’s co-production, The Butterfly Lovers, written by Cultural Medallion recipient Ivan Heng with music composed by Richard Mills, was presented in both nations to stellar reviews and marked the first time the classic Chinese folktale has had a remake as an original English-language opera.
