Singapore’s arts sector saw a stunning increase in philanthropy last year, with SGD136.1m (€91.2m) donated – 46 per cent more than in 2014, and a new record.
National Arts Council (NAC) chief executive Kathy Laic said she was, ‘heartened by the outpouring of support’ and added that the NAC hope to ‘sustain this momentum in the years to come.’
The increase was not entirely unexpected, as 2015 marked 50 years since Singapore gained independence from Malaysia. 2015 also saw the opening of two major arts institutions – the National Gallery Singapore and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre – which may partly explain the increase.
Continued Lai: ‘The government may provide essential and basic operating support to arts groups, but the private sector provides that extra boost in ways that makes all the difference in building a robust and inspired arts sector.’
In total, 145 organisations and 185 individuals made major donations to the arts. Major donors are recognised with Patron of the Arts Awards, presented by NAC in a ceremony at Singapore’s Shangri-La Hotel on 20 July.