Renaissance City Plan III

Heritage Development Plan

Renaiss ance Cit y Pl an III — He rit age De ve lopment Pl an
© Copyright 2008, National Heritage Board
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

All photos in this publication are copyrighted.

Permission is required for reproduction.

ISBN: 978-981-08-1701-5

Published By
National Heritage Board
140 Hill Street, #03- 02 MICA Building
Singapore 179369
Tel: (65) 6338 0000
Fax: (65) 6332 3568
Website: http://www.nhb.gov.sg

Editorial Team
Corporate Policy
Corporate Services and Planning Division
National Heritage Board

Printed and bound in Singapore.

Designed and produced by SiliconPlus Communications Pte Ltd

First Edition 2008

CONTENTS
FOREWORD BY NHB CHAIRMAN 3

1 NATIONAL IDENTITY AND 5

THE SINGAPOREAN HEART AND SOUL

2 HERITAGE VISION: 9
A Distinctive Global Hub For
Heritage And Culture

3 UNIQUELY SINGAPORE 15

4 PUTTING SINGAPORE 21
ON THE WORLD STAGE

5 ENGAGING MINDS, 27
INSPIRING HEARTS

6 AT HOME WITH HERITAGE 35

7 ATTRACTING TALENT AND 41

BUILDING CAPABILITIES

8 RELISHING AND RESTORING 45

HERITAGE RESOURCES

9 FROM HARDWARE TO HEARTWARE 49

Opening Festival of the National Museum of Singapore (NM) © National Heritage Board
FOREWORD BY
NHB CHAIRMAN
Entrusted with the mission to foster Moving ahead into the future, I am excited
nationhood, identity and creativity through about the opportunities presented to the
heritage and cultural development, the arts and heritage sector under RCP III.
National Heritage Board (NHB) has NHB will continue to engage our valuable
made significant progress since its partners in the development of an even
establishment in 1993. more vibrant heritage ecosystem to enliven
the museum scene in Singapore. We have
The Renaissance City Plan (RCP) directives been showcasing Singapore’s unique
for the development of a vibrant arts and culture on the international stage through
cultural landscape in Singapore have our exported shows, collaborations with
contributed to NHB’s success in achieving foreign partners and will continue this
its mission. Since 2000, the funding from effort to increase Singapore’s reputation
RCP has been a valuable added resource as a country with outstanding museums.
that enabled NHB, in partnership with NHB will also build on our outreach
stakeholders from the public, people momentum, engaging the community with
and private sectors, to embark on many knowledge sharing projects and events
major impactful exhibitions, activities and that will allow members of the public to
events to engage the hearts and minds of embark on exciting heritage discovery
both Singaporeans and visitors. The rising journeys with us.
visitorship figures through the years to our
museums and outreach events and the I invite you to join us as partners and
accolades NHB museums have received participants in NHB’s many offerings
from the international media attest to the of museum exhibitions, workshops and
increasing recognition and vibrancy of outreach events and activities. Together,
Singapore as a global arts city. we can make history in the realisation of
RCP’s vision to establish Singapore as a
vibrant arts and cultural events hub.

Professor Tommy Koh

Chairman, NHB

3
INTRODUCTION

Visitors at Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) during National Heritage Board 15th Anniversary © National Heritage Board

4
1
Singapore’s Cultural
Landscape

1960 – 1980s:
Building a Singaporean Identity

NATIONAL IDENTITY Singapore’s independence in 1965

marke d the b e ginning of a

AND THE SINGAPOREAN Singaporean nationalism and the

evolution of a unique Singaporean

HEART AND SOUL

identity premised on multiculturalism
and a sovereign state. In the early
years following independence, pressing
demands on national resources to

“
develop Singapore’s economy took
Museums were not high on Heritage and culture resonate with a
precedence over heritage and cultural
nation’s heart and soul. Since Singapore
our national priorities. In the development. The early thrust of heritage
gained independence in 1965, heritage
next lap, it is important to give and cultural activities facilitated cross-
and culture have played an integral part
cultural understanding among the multi-
more attention to culture and in our nation’s development by forging a
racial and multi-cultural local population
common understanding and bond through
the arts. Our objective is to to build a racially harmonious society at
shared experiences as Singaporeans ride
help Singapore find its soul, that time. In 1969, the first museum
through political, social and economic
in Singapore, the Raf fles Museum
for it cannot be bread alone development. It burnishes in its citizens
and Library was renamed the National

”
a sense of national identity and serves as
that we live. Museum. It was re-positioned as a
a source of strength and ballast in times
social history museum with a strong
of uncertainty and change. Amidst the
~ Minister George Yeo, ethnographic emphasis to reflect the
at the Opening of the Gems dynamic changes arising from Singapore’s
museum’s new role in nation building.
of Chinese Art Exhibition rapid transformation, heritage and culture
on 30 January 1992 serve as a stabilising keel connecting
1990 – 2008:
all Singaporeans with their hearts and
Cultural Renaissance for a
souls. The rising affluence and mobility of
Global City for the Arts
Singaporeans have also fostered greater
interest and recognition of the need for In the late 1980s, there was a growing
heritage and culture in our lives. There is realisation that heritage and culture were
a palpable urgency for the rejuvenation crucial in acting as a counter-balance to
and recounting of the past as relevant our economic growth. A concerted push for
sources for celebrating and empowering museum development was mooted by the
the present and the future. Advisory Council on Culture and the Arts
(ACCA) in 1989. This laid the foundation
for the initial capital investments in heritage
infrastructure and the burst of cultural
activities, which enlivened Singapore in
the 1990s. ACCA also recommended the
establishment of NHB from a merger of
the National Archives, National Museum
and Oral History Department. NHB came
into being on 1 August 1993 under the
Ministry of Information, Communications
and the Arts (MICA), to oversee museum
and heritage development in Singapore.

5
NATIONAL IDENTITY
Heritage AND THE SINGAPOREAN
Development Plan HEART AND SOUL

The establishment of NHB set in Building on this, NHB has undertaken Cultural Awakening
motion major expansion plans for the efforts to renew and grow the heritage
local museum landscape. The National infrastructure even fur ther. SHM Museum Visitorship
Museum was reconstituted into three underwent a major redevelopment in At A Record Of 1.86 Million
specialised museums, namely the 2003 and re-emerged in late 2006 as
The dramatic makeover in museum
Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), the the National Museum of Singapore (NM),
development over the last 18 years has
Singapore History Museum (SHM) and featuring iconic architecture combining the
captivated the people’s hearts and minds.
the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) to elegant neo-classical historic monument
This is most evident in the significant
better recognise and address the diversity with a new high-tech modern extension.
rise in museum visitorship, particularly
in the identities and interests of our The former ACM at Armenian Street closed
since the launch of RCP in 2000. NHB’s
communities and the rich content of our for re-development and re-opened in April
museums attracted a record 1.86 million
multi-cultural heritage. The expansion plan 2008 as the new Peranakan Museum
visitors in FY2007, a more than 300
was successfully realised over the next complete with Peranakan-themed retail
per cent increase from just 0.60 million
decade with museums being located in and restaurants creating a soiree of sorts
in FY2002. Another 4.36 million people
historic monuments that were beautifully for Peranakan aficionados. SAM also
participated in NHB’s outreach activities
restored. The National Museum was developed a contemporary art extension,
in FY2007, up from about 0.33 million
re-named as SHM in 1993 to reflect its 8Q SAM, in August 2008 to showcase the
in FY2002, an increase of over 1,200
mission to showcase Singapore’s history. national collection of contemporary and
per cent!
SAM opened its doors at a former Catholic international art.
boys’ school in 1996, with a mission
Fifty-Two Museums in Singapore
to present the world’s largest public Government investment in these museum
and Counting
collection of Singapore and Southeast developments has amounted to a total
The vibrancy in museum developments
Asian modern art. In 1997, ACM, housed of $246.53 million in capital investment.
in the public sector is also seen in the
in a former Chinese school at Armenian It was also during this period, in 2000,
private and people sectors. NHB has
Street, officially opened its doors to that the government launched RCP to
been working closely with the Museum
showcase the ancestral cultures and develop Singapore’s cultural scene. From
Roundtable (MR), a group chaired by
heritage of Singaporeans. 2000 to 2008, a total of $25.08 million
NHB to cultivate a more vibrant museum-
of RCP funds have been allocated to
going culture in Singapore. Since its
To support the work of the museums, NHB for the development of museum
inception in 1996, MR, chaired by NHB,
the Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC) and heritage-related programmes. These
more than doubled 52 member museums
was opened in 2000 to be the standard- major initiatives have truly transformed
in 2007, with the most notable growth
bearing institution in terms of collections our museums into iconic lifestyle venues
experienced in the last decade. Currently,
management and conservation. Today, it that celebrate and showcase our heritage.
private and the people sectors account
remains one of the leading preservation The continued investments underlines
for a third of the museums in Singapore.
and conservation institutions in the the government’s commitment and
These varied heritage attractions focusing
region. The new millennium also marked confidence in the heritage sector.
on divserse themes such as history, art,
another milestone in Singapore’s museum
culture, hobbies, defence and community,
development. The Singapore Philatelic Besides these museums, NHB also
healthcare and science add much colour
Museum (SPM), located in the conserved developed two interpretative centres,
and buzz to Singapore’s cultural scene
Methodist Book Room, was added to the Reflections at Bukit Chandu in 2002 and
Overall MR visitorship has reached
NHB family to stimulate interest in philately Memories at Old Fort Factory in Bukit
5.2 million visitors in FY2007, a 163 per
and to promote the use of philatelic Timah in 2006 to showcase significant
cent increase from 1.98 million visitors
materials in learning about the world historic events and personal experiences
in FY2003.
and the national history and heritage. In that would remind Singaporeans of their
2003, ACM’s flagship opened its doors at roots and the sacrifices that have been
Empress Place along the Singapore River, made in nation building.
showcasing Singapore’s ancestral cultures
and civilisations with displays from East,
West, South and Southeast Asia.

6
NATIONAL IDENTITY
Heritage AND THE SINGAPOREAN
Development Plan HEART AND SOUL

Key Milestones in HERITAGE Development

Strategic ACCA RCP I RCP II RCP III

Initiatives
1989 2000 2004 2008
Museum
Development
1887 1969 1993 1996 1997 1998 2002 2003 2006 2008
Raffles National National Singapore Asian National Reflections at Asian National Musuem The Peranankan
Library and Musuem Heritage Art Musuem Civilisations Archives of Bukit Chandu Civilisations of Singapore Musuem
Musuem Board Musuem Singapore Musuem (Armenian
(Armenian Street) (Carning Rise) (Empress Street)
Place)

2000
Memories at Old
Heritage
Ford Factory
Conservation
8Q SAM
Centre

Singapore
Philatelic Museum

Key Heritage
Initiatives
1994 1996 1999 2000 2004 2006 2007
NHB’s first Founding 1st Heritage Istana Art Singapore www.yesterday.sg Inaugural
blockbuster of Museum Trail - The Civic Event Heritage Fest Parton of
exhibition Rountable District Trail International Heritage
- Alamkara: 5000 (MR) Musuem Day Awards 2006
2001
years of India 2005 (IMD)
Singapore’s first
participation in Singapore
Venice Biennale Family Tree Explore Piloted Hi2P
Portal Singapore!

2nd Heritage
Rrail Singapore
River Trail

Growing Cultural and Heritage almost doubled registering $2.36 million Awareness Survey (HAS) conducted in
Philanthropy and artefact loans increased more than 2006 revealed strong public support.
With the greater visibility and mindshare twofold to $181.4 million. To recognise More than 90 per cent of Singaporean
of the heritage sector, there has been and celebrate donors and to spur more respondents surveyed supported
a corresponding increase in giving to widespread philanthropy, the annual preserving our heritage and the
the heritage cause. Donations of cash Patron of Heritage Awards (supported by government’s efforts in improving the
and in-kind have both shown healthy RCP funding) was launched in FY2006. heritage landscape. They also strongly
growth. Cash donations to NHB (and its A total of 72 companies, foundations and affirmed the importance of heritage as a
institutions) since its inception in 1993 organisations and 65 individuals have so “rooting” factor, agreeing that preserving
have grown dramatically, almost tripling far been recognised for donations in cash our local heritage increases their sense of
to $37.8 million for the period FY2000 to and in-kind and artefact loans worth over belonging and becomes more important
FY2007 from $13.4 million for the period $129 million. as Singapore evolves into a global
FY1993 to FY1999. Donations and loans city. Seven in 10 Singaporeans also
of artefacts have also risen significantly. In Greater Heritage Awareness and believed in being personally involved in
FY1999, the value of artefact donations Appreciation heritage activities. Notably, the Heritage
registered only $1.19 million and artefact The investments in infrastructure and Awareness Index (HAI) increased by
loans stood at $79.6 million. As of software have had a positive impact on 20 per cent from 5.24 in 2002 to 6.25
FY2007, the value of artefact donations Singapore and its residents. The Heritage in 2006.

7
INTRODUCTION

Two Figures, Chen Wen Hsi, c. 1950s

Singapore Art Museum Collection © National Heritage Board
2
In the face of heightened competition
amongst the world’s cities, heritage and
culture are regarded as a key ingredient
in defining a vibrant and cosmopolitan
global city. Cities, which are vibrant
and accommodating to a myriad of

HERITAGE VISION:
lifestyle options, are becoming preferred
destinations for the creative classes and
a highly mobile workforce. A vibrant
A DISTINCTIVE GLOBAL HUB museum and heritage scene can be a

FOR HERITAGE AND CULTURE tipping point in Singapore’s attractiveness

to global talents and businesses. The
inclusion of museums and art galleries
in the development of the mega-sized

“ Progressively, these efforts

will transform Singapore into a
A nation’s heritage defines its identity and
inspires its future. In many ways, heritage
bears testimony to the collective meaning
integrated resorts (IR) at Marina Bay and
Sentosa demonstrates Singapore’s plans
to integrate heritage and culture into its
global city of arts and culture. of a society’s values and informs the top-notch lifestyle attractions.
Indeed, the world is noticing evolution of its culture and lifestyle. It is
thus unique to the individual community. Interest and desire to preserve heritage
– media articles and analyst and pass it on to the future generations
However, in the age of rapid globalisation,
reports are describing how there is a rising threat of losing unique will grow with increasing economic
vibrant Singapore has become, identities and diluting traditional cultures. affluence, socio-political maturity and an
Yet, globalisation has opened a huge ageing population that is more educated
and what an attractive place it
window to opportunities for new ideas, than before. These trends will create
is to live in….more importantly, collaboration and networking. We can demand for heritage attractions and
it will provide Singaporeans with explore different cultures and celebrate activities, opening up opportunities for
each other’s heritage through a shared partnerships and support in the heritage
a rich cultural life, nurture the
desire of building stronger people- arenas and galvinising active participation
sense of pride in our heritage to-people ties. Singapore’s unique in these heritage initiatives at various
and history, and strengthen our heritage allows us to position ourselves levels, including leadership and advocacy.

”
as a distinctive cultural destination by
identity as a nation.
offering authentic encounters withmulti- Globalisation is a double-edged sword.
culturalism different races, ethnicities While globalisation brings immense
~ Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,
and religions living harmoniously in one oppor tunities for Singapore, the
at the Official Opening of the
New Peranakan Museum country, as well as a cultural introduction acceleration of development attendant to
on 25 April 2008 to the diversity of Asia. the economic expansion of Asia brought

A Bird’s Eye View of Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) along Singapore River © National Heritage Board

9
Heritage
Development Plan HERITAGE VISION

about by globalisation will also present a: Distinctive Content distinctive and unique content, presented
challenges. It will take much more for a in a contemporary manner, is therefore a
small nation like Singapore to stand out A critical element in defining the Singapore key strategy in NHB’s vision.
amidst the international competition for cultural brand must be content that is true to
recognition and resources. It will take the identity of its constituent communities. NHB’s efforts in this area have made
even more for heritage-related initiatives, Singapore’s unique multi-cultural milieu encouraging headway. NHB’s major
which typically form a small part of the can be presented in innovative ways that in-house curated museum exhibitions
economy, to stand out. At the same time, are world-class, educational and rooted such as Beauty in Asia by ACM and
there is greater compunction to retain in scholarship, yet fun, entertaining Convergences: Chen Wen Hsi Centennial
a unique Singaporean identity amidst and accessible to the man in the street Exhibition by SAM have attracted positive
the threat of being subsumed under a – Singaporeans and visitors alike. The international attention, with reports and
generalised label of being Asian by the presentation should be accessible across mentions appearing regularly in Newsweek,
global fraternity, which hitherto may not different platforms, including the Internet International Herald Tribune and Financial
be fully aware of the rich diversity and and co-location with third parties in Times. NHB’s efforts contribute towards
subtle nuances in the multitude of ethnic unconventional physical spaces that giving Singapore positive exposure on
groups and societies that form Asia. facilitate more pervasive community the global stage and branding Singapore
interaction and co-creation. as a cultural capital of Asia. Total media
Singapore has managed to successfully value in FY2007 alone registered about
balance heritage preservation with The focus is not just on the presentation $30 million, with 3,772 media reports.
development, modernity and efficiency. of the hardware such as historic buildings In the same year, the RCP allocation was
Our monuments and historic districts and architecture but also is on the software, $1.78 million for museum exhibitions and
retain their character and stand as i.e. people, traditions and identity – unified programmes, which means that the media
testimony to the cultural diversity of in authentic yet inspiring ways to capture value reaped a positive return of almost
our respective ethnic communities. It is the essence of the community’s values 17 times the allocated RCP amount in the
through more distinctive and innovative and mixed cultures. The development of same period.
positioning of heritage programmes that
public interest and support can be further
strengthened.

Singapore’s Vision
and Strategies for A
Distinctive Global City
for Art (Heritage and
Culture)
In line with RCP’s vision, NHB’s vision is to
develop Singapore into a distinctive, global
city for heritage and culture, integral to
the whole-of-government effort to position
Singapore as a vibrant global city. As a
global heritage hub, we aim to achieve:
(A) Distinctive content
(B) Global standards
(C) Community partnerships
(D) Dynamic heritage ecosystem
Convergences: Chen Wen Hsi Centennial Exhibition at Singapore Art Museum (SAM)
© National Heritage Board

10
Heritage
Development Plan HERITAGE VISION

b: Global Standards

In appealing to the global arena, we target

the following aspects1 :
(a) Place – Providing venues committed
to world-class conservation of heritage
resources and presenting them
aesthetically and in culturally authentic
ways that are readily accessible to the
public and overseas visitors.

(b) Presence – Targeting top-of-mind

awareness of Singapore heritage and
cultural contributions. NHB exports
shows with distinctive and original
Made in Singapore content. Some
have attracted international acclaim
and publicity in credible international
press and professional journals.
Significant shows that have been
C “Made-In-Singapore” Content for the Beauty in Asia Exhibition at Asian funded by RCP include the Venice
Civilisation Museum (ACM) © National Heritage Board Biennale and an upcoming exhibition
by NM to the School of African and
Oriental Studies, London.

1
The Anholt GMI Cities Brand Index lists six attributes
that drive global perception of the world’s cities viz:
place, presence, pulse, potential, people and
prerequisites. NHB in being the lead public agency in
culture and heritage will have influence in the former
four attributes. In 2007, Singapore was ranked 21st
(out of 30 cities) in contributions to the world (over
the last 30 years) and the reputed area of contribution
is economics rather than culture.

11
Heritage
Development Plan HERITAGE VISION

(c) Pulse – Rendering a wide range of

heritage and cultural activities in
Asian Stories, Asian Memories innovative ways to generate buzz
and make for a culturally vibrant
From Research and Documentation to a World-Class Museum: and engaging lifest yle. RCP
The Story of Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) and The Peranakan funds have facilitated exhibitions,
Museum (TPM) workshops, community trails and
ACM is one of NHB’s flagship museums sited in the 139-year-old Empress Place cultural festivals, such as the popular
Building. This 14,000-square metre museum features over 1,300 artefacts from Singapore HeritageFest and Istana
China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia. In developing the museum, Open Day.
extensive research of Asia was carried out to document information on the cultural
practices of Asian communities and civilisations. The research, supported by RCP (d) Potential – Offering a wide range
funds, informed the construction of the ACM galleries and the content of the of educational and developmental
audio-visual displays, enabling ACM to narrate convincing stories of Asian cultural opportunities and options for
practices and facilitate a deeper understanding of Asian cultures and civilisations. heritage and culture professionals
Today, ACM is a museum of international repute, which has won many accolades and enthusiasts. Seminars, lectures
on its excellent collection of audio-visual research focusing on the intangible and workshops on Asian/ASEAN
cultures and civilisations of Asia. traditions, arts and culture, such
as the Asian Conference Series
TPM, an outstanding boutique museum showcasing Peranakan heritage, and the NHB Lecture Series, have
is another comprehensive presentation of local heritage and culture that has been conducted with support from
captivated the hearts and minds of locals and foreigners. RCP funding enabled RCP funds.
the in-depth research and documentation of Peranakan culture and the span of
its quaint blend of Asian-colonial traditions and lifestyles. The distinctive content
of the Peranakan collection enabled TPM to stage an exhibition in the Ayala
Museum, Manila, in FY2006, building bridges for Singapore and helping to
promote the Singapore brand.

BED
Permanent Galleries of the Asian Civilisations
Museum (ACM) © National Heritage Board

12
Heritage
Development Plan HERITAGE VISION

c: Community various community and public spaces, A distinctive global city of heritage and
such as community clubs, retail spaces culture also requires a well-developed
Partnership
and public libraries. Going forward, Public and adequate resourced value chain of
Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives will mainstream and ancillary professionals
An important hallmark of the heritage
become even more important avenues and businesses in the heritage sector.
hub is community engagement and being
of engaging more grounds-up efforts to To address this need, an annual budget
inclusive to the respective community
groups, reaching out to the various ethnic expand the heritage and culture sector. of $2.1 million has been allocated from
groups, heartlanders, underprivileged RCP since 2008 for industry development
groups and the elderly across a plethora of through dedicated incentive schemes
conventional and novel platforms. Through d: Dynamic Heritage such as the Heritage Industry Incentive
partnerships with key stakeholders, such Ecosystem Programme (HI2P) and the development
as the Preservation of Monuments Board of education programmes for heritage
(PMB), Urban Redevelopment Authority Another significant hallmark of heritage conservation professionals to seed and
(URA), Singapore Tourism Board (STB), cities is the governance of heritage assets groom private and people sector players
Economic Development Board (EDB), with the aim of protecting them and in the heritage ecosystem.
National Parks Board (NParks), National elevating their value. Toward this end,
Library Board (NLB), People’s Association NHB will develop and implement heritage The alignment of NHB’s vision with
(PA) and Housing Development Board management standards, accreditation the RCP goals and strategic outcomes
(HDB), NHB works to enhance and schemes, assistance/incentive schemes and relevant Key Performance Indicators
expand the heritage and culture footprint and a framework to guide the development (KPIs) is given in the strategic framework
by co-locating and integrating heritage in and maintenance of heritage assets. below:

Strategic Framework for Singapore’s Vision for Heritage and Culture

RCP Vision A Distinctive Global City for the Arts

RCP3 DISTINCTIVE CONTENT DYNAMIC ECOSYSTEM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Goals

• International Recognition of • A More Vibrant Arts and • Increased • National Pride

RCP3 Singapore’s Arts and Culture Culture Scene Demand and and Sense of
Outcomes Appreciation Ownership
for the Arts
and Culture

NHB
EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION HERITAGE AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION &
Strategic
Goals
IN CONTENT CREATION CULTURAL FOOTPRINT OWNERSHIP

• International accolades and awards • Grants awarded (Hi2P) to heritage • Heritage • Donations and
and culture organisations/ Awareness Index sponsorship
• International Media Research businesses
citations • Museum Visits • Public feedback
• Scholarship and development of
specialist manpower • Outreach • No. of Singaporeans
KPIs attendances participating in at
• Number of heritage and culture least 1 heritage
platforms (including community • Online presence event every year
or satellite museums, private
museums, cultural spaces, etc) • Media value • Culture and Heritage
publications and
• Number and Value of Overseas and readership
Local Collaborations

13
INTRODUCTION

14
3
So how can heritage and cultural
institutions stand out from the mass of
offerings in the market and engage its
audience – Singaporeans and visitors –
without compromising its authenticity

UNIQUELY SINGAPORE: and substance? How can the agenda of

nation-building and cultural identity be

CREATING DISTINCTIVE incorporated into the new offerings? NHB

will address these challenges by focusing
‘MADE-IN-SINGAPORE’ on the following key strategies:

HERITAGE CONTENT (A) Instill excellence and innovation

(B) Strengthen the NHB brand
(C) Build the heritage ecosystem

“ We are part of a long

civilisation and we should
A nation’s heritage is a unique resource
that should be cherished by its people
as the pride of their society. In an a: Instill Excellence
be proud of it. We should increasingly borderless world, individuals and Innovation
not be assimilated by the are bombarded by content of every
kind, round-the-clock, in a plethora of Our heritage offers a rich resource of
West and become a pseudo-
accessible and convenient platforms. artefacts, records, experiences and
Western society. We should There is no shortage of options competing memories. In the context of Singapore,
be a nation that is uniquely for one’s time and attention. Heritage and this history is distinctive in that it has
cultural content however is not generally been couched in a largely peaceful multi-
multiracial and Asian, with
the favourite item on the lifestyle menu. racial and multi-religious co-existence.
each community proud of A recent survey 2 of the Singaporean Collectively, they form an immense
its traditional culture public and visitors revealed that museums database of facts and powerful lessons

”
ranked low as a leisure destination choice that can be accessed and harnessed for
and heritage.
compared with shopping centres, cinemas the re-construction of past triumphs and
and libraries. This is a reality check and setbacks. These stories can be presented
~ Then First Deputy Prime Minister,
underscores the need for the heritage in new ways, offering fresh perspectives
Mr Goh Chok Tong,
at the PAP Youth Wing Charity sector to deliver distinctive and innovative and insights that are cogent and compelling
Night on 28 October 1988 positioning of its programmes, discover for the audience today. NHB has developed
fresh ways to tell stories and become even some significant works that exemplify
more relevant to the public. this principle, including Convergences:
Chen Wen Hsi Centennial Exhibition and
Empire of Nature: The William Farquhar
Collection of Natural History Drawings.

BCH Convergences: Chen Wen Hsi Centennial Exhibition at Singapore Art Museum (SAM)
© National Heritage Board

2
Brand Equity Awareness Survey commissioned by NHB ‘s Corporate Communications and Industry Promotion in 2007

15
Heritage UNIQUELY
Development Plan SINGAPORE

Another significant “made-in-Singapore”

Convergences: Chen Wen Hsi exemplar of heritage intellectual property
(IP) is the publication of Singapore:
Centennial Exhibition The Encyclopedia. Funded by RCP, the
Encyclopedia covers practically everything
the general reader might want to know
One example is the very well-received exhibition that Singapore Art Museum about Singapore four decades after its
(SAM) curated on the late Singaporean pioneer artist Chen Wen Hsi (1906–1911). independence. It comprises inputs from
Titled, Convergences: Chen Wen Hsi Centennial Exhibition, the exhibition which distinguished representatives in academia,
was supported by RCP funding, brought together many of Chen’s works from both government, and private corporations
the National Collection, as well as loans from private and public collections. The and was written and compiled by over
exhibition attracted positive reviews and sparked international interest in Chen’s 200 expert contributors, amongst them
works as well as those of other Singaporean and Southeast Asian artists3. To historians, archaeologists, geographers,
date, Chen’s works have been included in the collections of museums overseas, political scientists and other experts. The
such as the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum and the National Art Gallery in Malaysia, publication was overseen by a distinguished
attesting to the international interest in Singaporean artists. Editorial Advisory Board chaired by
Professor Tommy Koh and was also a good
The Chen Wen Hsi Centennial Exhibition is a testament of NHB’s curatorial example of Public-Private-People (PPP)
excellence and has raised Singapore’s reputation as an artistic knowledge hub. partnership, with 36 sponsors across
Visitorship to the exhibition was over 88,000 in total or about 690 per day. The various sectors generously donating to this
strong support for Chen’s exhibition exemplifies the public’s solid endorsement landmark project.
of the “Made in Singapore” works. The show attracted donations from Credit
Suisse and the Lee Foundation and also engaged and inspired collectors and
enthusiasts who contributed artworks and artefacts for loan, and offered fiscal
sponsorship. Such outstanding local curatorial productions also generated
important collaborations with overseas museums.

Empire of Nature: The William Farquhar

Collection of Natural History Drawings
The Empire of Nature: The William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings
exhibition at NM was another “Made in Singapore” exhibition with distinctive
content that challenged conventional thinking of history in early Singapore.
Showcasing an entire collection of 477 natural history drawings of the flora and
fauna that existed in the Straits Settlements, which were commissioned by one of
modern Singapore’s founding fathers William Farquhar (1774–1893), it provided NHB’s Landmark Publication – Singapore:
a glimpse into the livies of early artists in modern Singapore, shedding new light The Encyclopedia © National Heritage Board
on one of the little known professions that existed alongside traders, merchants
and coolies in the 19th century. The exhibition demonstrated NHB’s ability to
conduct original research into the history of the land and present the content in
an interesting and meaningful way.

This rare collection of natural history drawings was also on display in its entirety
for the very first time since 1827 when Farquhar donated it to the Royal Asiatic
Society (RAS) in London. The exhibition was made possible through the donation
of philanthropist GK Goh, who acquired the collection from RAS for S$3 million in
1993 and entrusted it to NM in 1996. The donation is testimony to NHB’s strong
rapport and engagement with collectors and its repute as a trusted reference CA Empire of Nature: The William Farquhar
Collection of Natural History Drawings at the
for original research and scholarship. The exhibition drew 17,726 visitors over a National Museum of Singapore (NM) ©
period of five weeks with multiple reports in local press. National Heritage Board

3
For example, reputable museums such as the Guangdong
Museum of Art and the National Art Museum of China
have expressed interest to further the discourse in Chen;s
art practice and artistry through collaborative research
partnerships in future.

16
Heritage UNIQUELY
Development Plan SINGAPORE

b: Strengthen the
Singapore The Encyclopedia NHB Brand

Since NHB’s establishment, significant

Singapore: The Encyclopedia is a milestone for us. It is NHB’s most ambitious mileage has been achieved in developing
publication. With its publication, Singapore joins the ranks of global cities like the distinguished positioning of its
Chicago, London and New York, which have their own comprehensive single- museums and heritage institutions.
volume reference books. Anyone seeking to learn more about Singapore should However, the general public is still not
refer to Singapore: The Encyclopedia. We hope that every home, school, library, familiar with the various NHB heritage
office, hotel and embassy will keep a copy.” institutions. A recent survey showed
that most respondents who claimed
~ Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large and
Chairman of the National Heritage Board familiarity with the museums were unable
to correctly identify the correct buildings.
There is, thus, a need to improve public
Innovative application of our heritage is Besides achieving excellence in its
education and promotion of the NHB
a central tenet in NHB’s drive to create curatorial works and heritage programmes,
heritage institutions in Singapore.
unique and compelling content which NHB has also been recognised for its
will inspire and engage the public to innovative use of technology in presenting
To this end, NHB will continue to proactively
ponder the meaning of “Singapore” and and promoting heritage. Funded by
engage the media to raise awareness of
being “Singaporean”. One example is the RCP, the Singapore Family Tree (SFT)
the heritage and cultural landscape of
Ethnic Arts Programme, which is jointly website was launched in 2007 to
Singapore, and particularly the work of
developed by NHB and the National facilitate documenting the genealogies of
NHB. The mass media is an effective
Arts Council (NAC). Supported by RCP Singaporeans, which contributes to NHB’s
vehicle to transmit national heritage
funds, the Ethnic Arts Programme, mission of strengthening national identity
knowledge as revealed in the Heritage
proffers an original concept “Rooted and rootedness in Singaporeans.
Awareness Survey 2006 4. NHB views its
Growth” to preserve and develop the
relations with the media as strategic and
ethnic-based arts sector for greater inter- NHB’s focus on excellence and innovation
has so far attained impressive traction with
cultural and inter-racial harmony. One in transforming its museums and heritage
the media. The number of media reports
of the key thrusts of the plan involves and cultural programmes has garnered
on NHB’s activities has tripled from 1,010
leveraging our multi-cultural heritage to several national awards, including the
in FY2005 to 3,772 in FY2007.
re-position Singapore as an Asian centre Best Re-invented Attraction Award for
of experimentation and creation of new National Museum of Singapore (NM) from
Additionally, NHB will intensify and
fusion content, combining East and West, the Association of Singapore Attractions
expand strategic tie-ups with partners
traditional and contemporary sensibilities and the Uniquely Singapore Award for
such as STB, Ministry of Education (MOE),
to propagate the relevance of ethnic arts Singapore HeritageFest from Singapore
Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA),
practices among the young and elevates Tourism Board (STB) in 2007. NHB’s
Economic Development Board (EDB),
Singapore’s artistic heritage value in the innovative deployment of its content
National Library Board (NLB), National
global arena. Significantly, the concept re- online has also garnered it accolades
Arts Council (NAC) and others to raise its
energises the nation-building agenda and in the region, such as the prestigious
profile and extend its reach amongst the
refreshes the message of racial harmony. ZDNet’s Asia Smart 50 award. It also won
local communities. For example, using RCP
the Network World Asia All Stars Award in
funds, NHB is collaborating with STB and
2007 for using innovative IT solutions.
a research company to conduct a study
on the public’s perception of museums.
NHB has also piloted an industry grant
that incentivises private sector players
to tap on NHB’s intellectual property to
develop novel products and services that
popularise the Singaporean heritage and
culture through the NHB brand.

4
The Heritage Awareness Survey 2006 was commissioned
by NHB’s Corporate Services and Planning Division.

17
Heritage UNIQUELY
Development Plan SINGAPORE

c: Building the Heritage (i) Support Local Enterprise (ii) Engage in Joint Development
Eco-system NHB has initiated procurement of services and Transfer of Knowledge
and supplies from local professionals Being the foremost content developer and
The local heritage and culture industry and service providers. Such use of local provider of specialist support services,
has by and large mapped its growth suppliers will over time build skills and particularly those related to archival and
mainly with the significant developments competences in the system and contribute conservation skills, NHB plays a leading
in NHB. However, to date, the industry to lower cost for the industry with less role in helping to transfer specialist and
is still a fledgling sector. NHB is the sole reliance on foreign suppliers. Financial management know-how to the private
operator of the national museums and assistance in the form of incentives and sector players in the heritage ecosystem.
accounts for a large share in terms of scale grants is important in attracting and This is done through collaborating with
and visitorship. It is also the main content sustaining businesses in the heritage private players on jointly developed
developer and consumer of ancillary ecosystem. The players in the heritage projects where NHB directly guides
services such as those of conservators, ancillary/support industry are typically and imparts knowledge and skills to
exhibitors and art handlers. NHB is thus small specialist enterprises with limited the partner organisations. For example,
the primary driving force behind the capital. Such financial incentives help Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC) and
growth and development of the local to defray start-up financial outlay and SAM work closely with local art handlers,
heritage ecosystem. Its proactive support lower the cost threshold for such local framers and conservators to raise their
of the players in the system is pivotal for enterprises. NHB has piloted a financial service standards and expand the ready
their survival and continued development. incentive scheme in 2007 (the precursor pool of such skills and ultimately supplier
To this end, NHB will to Heritage Industry Incentive Programme, selection in the sector. NM and SAM
(i) Actively support local enterprises, or HI2P), to proactively develop industry worked with local designers and exhibition
and players by incentivising manpower contractors to put up shows such as Under
upgrading and training initiatives to the Crescent Moon (NM) and Widayat
(ii) Engage in joint development and
raise overall skill standards and core between Shows: A Retrospective (SAM).
transfer of know-how.
competencies, and providing seed Over time, this will elevate professional
funding in PPP arrangements to take on standards in the industry and build critical
noteworthy heritage and cultural projects. mass. The latter is essential for generating
To date, grants of about $500,000 have a meaningful self-sustaining ecosystem
been provided to various industry players that offers sufficient breadth of service
for projects ranging from publishing to and depth of relevant skill tiers. There will
cultural tourism services. then be more opportunities and potential
for local sourcing of products and
outsourcing of services to the local private
sector providers.

Building the Heritage Eco-system © National Heritage Board

18
Heritage UNIQUELY
Development Plan SINGAPORE

NHB’s Heritage Industry

Incentive Programme (HI2P)
Launched in September 2008, the Heritage Industry Incentive Programme (HI2P) The Original Singapore Pub & Grub Walks Series
provides financial assistance to industry players in the heritage ecosystem for supported by HI2P © National Heritage Board

developing original content and building capabilities in the heritage and cultural
arena. Under the aegis of RCP, a total of $2.1 million in grants will be made
available under HI2P for the implementation of the ecosystem.

Since its launch, HI2P has committed funding to two organisations, for the
implementation of projects ranging from production of exhibition catalogues
and brochures to workshops and seminars related to heritage and culture, to
the development of heritage trails and heritage-related training programmes.
These projects have enriched the heritage and cultural landscape in Singapore,
and extended the depth and breadth of Singapore’s cultural offerings. For more
information on HI2P, please visit NHB’s website at http://www.nhb.gov.sg or
contact our officers:

Ms Stella Clare Wee Ms Joanna Han

Manager, Industry Development Assistant Manager, Industry
and Planning Development and Planning
DID: 6332 4259 DID: 6332 4419
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 6334 3054 Fax: 6334 3054

Exhibition featuring Singaporean Artist Tan Swie Hian at the Tan Swie Hian Museum supported by HI2P © National Heritage Board

19
Heritage
Development Plan INTRODUCTION

Exhibition Poster for On the Nalanda Trail: Ebddhism in India, China & Southeast Asia © National Heritage Board

20
4
By putting its shows on the international
platform, NHB aims to achieve the
following objectives:
(A) Develop a global world-class brand
(B) Promote cultural diplomacy
(C) Establish Singapore as the regional
hub in heritage management and

PUTTING SINGAPORE ON scholarship

THE WORLD STAGE a: Develop a Global

World-Class Brand –

“
Showcasing Singapore
The Singapore Art Museum In our increasingly inter-connected and
to the World
fluid world, businesses and talents are
will partner the National
circulating across borders, tapping onto
Art Museum of China to RCP funding has been critical in facilitating
the vast opportunities that globalisation
the internationalisation of awareness of
co-present “Encounters offers for growth and development. Such
a global outlook is also critical for the Singapore’s heritage and culture, with a
and Legends” to promote total of over $2 million (or 8.23 per cent of
Singaporean heritage and cultural sector.
Singaporean and Southeast The internationalisation of exhibitions the total RCP budget since 2000) invested
curated with content from Singapore’s in exporting shows and another $450,000
Asian art. I believe these
museum collections elevates the profile of (or 1.8 per cent of the total RCP budget)
partnerships will lead to for related international relations and
our collections and creative talent. It also
further exchanges and raises awareness of Singapore’s unique publicity costs.
productive dialogues among heritage and enhances people-to-people
understanding amongst international One of the early significant events was
the artistic community from audiences. It is an excellent platform for Singapore Art Museum’s (SAM) first

”
Singapore and China. interaction with international heritage participation at the Venice Biennale 2001:
and cultural professional communities, The 49th International Exhibition of
~ Minister for Information, facilitating cross cultural discourse Contemporary Art in 2001, spearheaded by
Communications and the Arts, and downstream collaborations. Just as the Singapore Art Museum. Singapore was
Dr. Lee Boon Yang, significant, internationalising our shows one of the first countries in the Asia-Pacific
at the Singapore Season offers significant opportunities and scope region to participate along with Australia,
in China 2007 Singapore Evening,
for branding Singapore as a global hub and Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Envisaged
12 October 2007
NHB as a centre of excellence for heritage as a vital rite of passage to international
and cultural content and management. recognition and prestige in the world of art
It also promotes and lends credence to and culture, Singapore’s first participation
our very own Singaporean artists. in the Venice Biennale was a momentous

Encounters adn Legends: A Travelling Exhibition to the National Art Museum of China © National Heritage Board

21
Heritage PUTTING SINGAPORE
Development Plan ON THE WORLD STAGE

Joint Publication on Cubism in Asia: Unbounded

Dialogues © National Heritage Board

step to secure a prestigious platform to

showcase Singapore artists to the world
and validate their professional status.
The significance of the participation was
also in the strengthening of Singapore’s
cultural relations with Italy and the opening
of doors to subsequent partnerships with
third countries in the areas of cross-cultural
artistic dialogue and collaborative works
such as overseas exhibitions and loans of
artefacts.

Another case in point was Singapore’s

collaboration with the National Museum of
Art in Japan and the National Museum of
Art in South Korea to stage a joint exhibition,
Cubism in Asia: Unbounded Dialogues,
that brought together our region’s unique
national treasures of 120 pieces of modern
masterworks from 11 Asian countries,
namely China, India, Indonesia, Japan,
Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Malay Woman, Cheong Soo Pieng, 1950
Singapore Art Museum Collection © National Heritage Board
Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. It also
sprouted a nexus of renowned artists and
curatorial professionals from across Asia.
The critically acclaimed show opened in
Japan in 2005 and later travelled to Seoul
and Singapore. It completed its tour in
Paris in 2007 where it was on display
at the Japan Foundation there. The
success of Cubism in Asia has led to a
new collaboration between Singapore Art
Museum (SAM) and the National Museum
of Contemporary Art (Korea) to undertake
a new joint research project, titled
Asian Realism.

22
Heritage PUTTING SINGAPORE
Development Plan ON THE WORLD STAGE

The development of an international

presence and branding takes time.
Singapore has achieved some noteworthy
success in this area. SAM has attracted
exhibitions of world-renowned artists
to exhibit their works in SAM. More
significantly, the improving international
profile and status of Singapore as a hub
for heritage and culture has attracted
important donations from eminent artists,
both local and foreigners. As a result of
efforts to profile Singapore’s heritage and
cultural standing in the international arena,
world-renowned artists have chosen to
exhibit their works at SAM or donate
their collections to Singapore. One such
example is the donation to the Singapore
Art Museum in 2007 of a painting titled
Day and Night by Gao Xingjian, the Nobel
Prize recipient for Literature in 2000. The
exhibition titled Gao Xingjian Experience,
celebrating the donation of Gao Xingjian’s
work to Singapore was supported by RCP
funds. Gao’s donation not only attests
to Singapore’s success in garnering
international recognition, it also goes a long
way in fostering artistic and intellectual
exchange between Singapore and the
world and can fuel Singapore’s vision to
become a hub for heritage and culture.

Moving forward, NHB has plans to

step up its efforts in internationalising
exhibitions featuring Singapore and
ASEAN, and position the Singapore brand
as a unique, multicultural hub with an
outstanding collection of ASEAN works
that is supported by expert research and
scholarship capabilities. In the coming
years, NHB plans to bring an exhibition
on Singapore’s contemporary society and
another exhibition on Southeast Asian art
CHA to the United Kingdom. There are also
Gao Xingjian Experience Exhibition and
Donation of his masterpiece Day and Night plans to showcase our unique collection
© National Heritage Board of Peranakan artefacts in Europe. These
will be funded from RCP III funds of
$350,000 annually.

23
Heritage PUTTING SINGAPORE
Development Plan ON THE WORLD STAGE

b: Promote Cultural
Diplomacy – Cultural Display of Nonya Kebaya –
Gateway to Asia
The State Affairs of the Heart
Respect for heritage and culture is
common across cultures and societies. It Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood, the late wife of the Malaysia’s Prime Minister
is a universal value and a unifying force Abdullah Badawi, showcased her private collection of kebayas, the Malay traditional
that can be harnessed to provide the “soft dress, at ACM in March 2005, underscoring the historical and cultural affiliations
power” in navigating the delicate and between the two neighbouring countries. The exhibition, Nyonya Kebaya: A Living
sophisticated nuances in international Art, held at ACM from 9 March to 29 May 2005, showcased 70 kebayas from the
political relations. When the President private collection formed by Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood. It is the first time
of the United States, Mr George Bush this private collection has left Malaysia and ACM was the first venue to host this
attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Co- splendid collection of kebayas.
operation (APEC) Summit in 2006, he
and the First Lady chose to visit ACM to ACM and the Yayasan Budi Penyayang
symbolically register his political stance as Malaysia worked closely together to
respectful and desirous to learn about Asia, bring this exhibition to the Singapore
before directly engaging in negotiations at audience. As ACM’s director,
the APEC Summit subsequently. Dr Kenson Kwok put it: “This has been
a great collaboration with our Malaysian
More recently, ACM’s exhibition, On colleagues. It is wonderful that the
The Nalanda Trail: Buddhism in India, opportunity to organise this exhibition
China and Southeast Asia, marked the has arisen.” The event was publicised Nyonya Kebayas of Datin Paduka Seri Endon
Mahmood, the late wife of the Prime Minister
commencement of the East Asian Summit widely in the mass media and helped of Malaysia and Ms Ho Ching, the wife of the
held in Singapore. The Prime Minister to boost warm relations between the Prime Minister of Singapore on display at Nyonya
Kebaya: A Living Art Exhibition at Asian Civilisations
hosted a special visit for ASEAN leaders two countries. Museum (ACM) © National Heritage Board
to ACM. The exhibition demonstrated
Singapore’s support of the East Asian
Summit’s agenda to re-establish Nalanda
University. It also exemplified the spirit of
international co-operation, symbolically
represented by the exhibition’s unspoken
theme of promoting inter-civilisational
dialogue and inter-faith understanding.
A key exhibit was a copper plate which
signified Southeast Asia’s historical links
with India that hark back to the 14th
century Srivijaya Empire. This significant
loan was unveiled by the Prime Minister of
India, Mr Manmohan Singh and the Prime
Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong
in November 2007.

RCP funding has been channelled to

support such heritage and cultural
programmes that are politically strategic
and over time, will strengthen Singapore’s
positioning as the heritage and cultural
gateway or bridge to the rest of the region
On the Nalanda Trial: Buddhism in India, China & Southeast Asia unveiled by Prime Minister of India
and Asia. Such exhibitions generate Mr Manmohan Singh and the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong marking the commencement
immense media exposure and connect of the East Aisan Summit held in Singapore in November 2007 © National Heritage Board

with Singapore’s efforts at forging

and strengthening ties with our Asian
neighbours.

24
Heritage PUTTING SINGAPORE
Development Plan ON THE WORLD STAGE

c: Establish Regional
Hub in Heritage
Management and
Scholarship – Champion
Thought Leadership
in Asian Heritage
and Culture

As the lead agency in operating and

developing the museum landscape in
Singapore, NHB possesses tremendous
domain knowledge and leads the region
in museology and heritage management
and scholarship. Funded by RCP, NHB
has facilitated cross-cultural dialogues
on Asian museology by organising
international conferences and workshops,
specifically, Asia-Europe Foundation for
Museums (ASEMUS) and the Asian Art
Museum Directors’ Forum (AAMDF).
Building on these, NHB initiated and
organised the inaugural ASEAN Museum
Directors’ Symposium in 2007, which
brought together museum directors in
ASEAN to discuss Asian museology
and scholarship. Such conferences and
workshops not only provide excellent
platforms for the exchange of knowledge
and expertise, they also help to establish
Singapore as a regional knowledge hub
and venue for meetings, conventions and
exhibitions on heritage and culture sector.
The resulting conference publications
documenting thought-leading discussions
made in Singapore also contribute to the
intellectual discourse worldwide.

CGB
Aisan Art Museum Directors’ Forum
organised by NHB in Singapaore in 2007
© National Heritage Board

25
INTRODUCTION

26
ENGAGING MINDS,
INSPIRING HEARTS:
EXPOSING SINGAPOREANS TO
WORLD-CLASS COLLECTIONS
5
“ Not every Singaporean will
have a chance to visit the
Museums are like windows to the world.
Through the exhibition of artefacts and
artworks, museums play a special role
Our audiences have higher expectations
and demand greater scale and
sophistication of museum exhibitions
Louvre Museum in Paris in introducing domestic audiences the and events. NHB’s efforts in bringing
to view these exhibits in diverse societies and cultures around the the world to Singapore build professional
world. In the process, museums foster competence and create significant
their lifetime. Bringing the
greater understanding and appreciation goodwill and artistic currency for Singapore
exhibits here will enable of how societies relate to each other. in the global heritage and cultural scene.
Singaporeans, both young Museums and heritage institutions NHB intends to foster Singaporean’s
also play an important intermediary cosmopolitanism and global mindset
and old, as well as the
role by facilitating platforms for cultural through two main channels:
underprivileged to enjoy and diplomacy, opening doors to political
(A) Staging blockbuster shows with class
come face to face with Greek goodwill and economic opportunity. Such
content from overseas museums,

”
cross-cultural appreciation also contribute
culture and history... and
to learning, creativity and enhancement of
quality of life. (B) Staging country festivals celebrating
~ Ms Yap Su-Yin, neighbouring Asian countries.
Programme Director,
Tan Chin Tuan Foundation

BC Mystery Men Finds from China’s Lost Age Exhibition at Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) ©
National Heritage Board

27
Heritage ENGAGING MINDS,
Development Plan INSPIRING HEARTS

A: Staging Blockbuster
Shows – Inspiring with Journey of Faith – Art and History
World-Class Content
from the Vatican Collections
In 1994, shortly after the formation of
NHB, the first blockbuster from overseas, ACM’s inaugural collection with the Holy See, Journey of Faith – Art and History
Alamkara: 5000 Years of Indian Art, was from the Vatican Collections, showcasing a rare collection of artefacts from the
staged. A key intent behind the exhibition Vatican Museum in Asia for the first time, was a visual feast for Singaporeans and
was to present the ancient heritage of visitors. By offering authentic encounters with great treasures of the Catholic faith,
the Indian community, a key segment of the exhibition garnered much support locally and from the region, especially from
Singapore’s population. According to then Catholic communities, and attracted over 133,000 visitors to ACM over a span of
NHB Chairman Mr Lim Chee Onn, the aim four months. The grand finale, 24hrs@ACM, witnessed long queues at ACM for
in exposing Indian cultural heritage to the the first time, in the wee hours of the exhibition’s last weekend with 12,000 visitors
Singapore audience was “an attempt to making a last-minute visit to the museum to view the exhibition.
change perceptions by providing insights
on Indian culture and society. Only then will The exhibition, which opened on a high note with Singapore’s Foreign Minister
we be able to understand our neighbours, Mr. George Yeo, Vatican City’s Foreign Minister Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, and
and ourselves, more completely”. Director-General of Vatican Museums
Alamkara, which was organised by Dr Francisco Buranelli gracing the
ACM and National Museum, New Delhi, opening ceremony, cultivated great
was well received, and even inspired a diplomacy mileage between Singapore
dedicated fan to launch a ‘resurrected’ and the Holy See. The momentous
online version of the exhibition in 2002 world-class content also ignited
for the benefit of heritage enthusiasts, immense philanthropic support,
researchers and students. drawing cash donations amounting
to S$478,000 and various in-kind
Since these beginnings, NHB has staged sponsorships amounting to S$24,000
more than 10 international blockbusters as the Archbishop of Singapore and
to date, collaborating with world-class Nuncio in Bangkok canvassed for Queues at Asian Civilisations Museum during
24hrs@ACM, the grand finale of Journey of Faith:
partners, such as the Louvre Museum, the funding support for ACM. Art and History from the Vatican Collections
Vatican Museum and the Topkapi Palace
Museum, to showcase world-renowned
artworks and artefacts. Such shows are
costly to stage and RCP funding has been
critical in enabling exhibitions to travel to
Singapore. About S$4.3 million, or 17 per
cent of the total RCP funds available, have
been channelled to bring such world-class
collections to Singapore.

Blockbusters attract a significant

increase in visitorship to the museums
and also increase the arts exposure of
Singaporeans, especially those who may
not have the opportunity to view these
objects in their distant countries of origin.

Alamkara: 5000 Years of Indian Artat Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) © National Heritage Board

28
Heritage ENGAGING MINDS,
Development Plan INSPIRING HEARTS

To reach out to communities, NHB also

brings components of such blockbusters
to the HDB heartlands. For example, the
Nalanda Trail held at ACM travelled to
NLB’s regional libraries, reaching over
150,000 viewers in the HDB heartlands.
The Heritage Awareness Survey 2006
also showed that participation in heritage
activities and visiting museums helps to
rally community spirit and belonging to
the global community.

Blockbusters raise professional and

service standards in the heritage and
cultural industry in Singapore. The
professional, technical and management
expertise required to stage a blockbuster
is immense. The process inherently
requires the co-creation of new content
and reinforces NHB’s drive to build
capabilities in local content development.
A commentary on the Timeout Singapore
website puts it succinctly: “On the
Nalanda Trail: Buddhism in India,
China and Southeast Asia …signals a
sea change in Singapore’s approach
to culture. As well as boasting world-
class art, the show confirms the city-
state’s newfound confidence in ‘made in
Singapore’ content. This exhibition, unlike
many that have made headlines in the last
few years …has been researched and put
together entirely by ACM’s own team of
art historians. The result is impressive,
combining accessible information about
Buddhism and the spread of the religion
with new analysis of the relationship
between Southeast Asian, Chinese and
Indian Buddhist expression.”

The abilit y to stage successful

blockbusters is a strong demonstration
of the competence of NHB’s museum
professionals and a solid stamp of approval
by the lenders of NHB’s museums as
world-class operators. Such networks
reinforce NHB’s vision to establish
Singapore as a global heritage hub.

CGB
Journey of Faith: Art and History from the Vatican
Collections at Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) ©
National Heritage Board

29
Heritage ENGAGING MINDS,
Development Plan INSPIRING HEARTS

Through collaborating with renowned

overseas museums to present world-
Blockbuster at National Museum of Singapore class international art and heritage works
– Paris, France Masterpieces from the Louvre in Singapore, NHB aims to open the
minds and hearts of Singaporeans and its
residents to nurture a more cosmopolitan
A stellar example of the success of blockbusters is the Greek Masterpieces From and globally savvy society in Singapore.
the Louvre exhibition, for which NM collaborated with the Musée du Louvre in NHB will continue to bring exhibitions
Greece. The presented 130 artefacts (with an insured value of 32 million euros) of international repute to Singapore.
dated from the fifth to first centuries BC. The exhibition attracted over 87,000 With support from RCP funding, ACM
visitors, which included several dignitaries and a high proportion of expatriates will collaborate with Palace Museum in
and tourists besides Singaporeans. The latter expressed pleasure and pride in Beijing, China, on an exhibition on the
viewing such rare and precious artefacts in Singapore. The Louvre exhibition also Kangxi Emperor in 2009, bringing a rare
garnered extensive media publicity, which has been valued at $1.7 million. collection of artefacts from the Forbidden
City to Singapore. At National Museum
NM received a cash sponsorship from the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation (TCTF) which of Singapore (NM), RCP funding will
enabled an extended educational outreach to schools and underprivileged families go towards supporting an exhibition on
and facilitated the National Book Development Council’s (NBDC) involvement by Egyptian Mummies from Vienna, Austria.
having professional storytellers share fascinating Greek myths and legends to the
public for free. Donors, like TCTF, are important catalysts and drivers for the local
heritage and cultural landscape.

BD
Greek Masterpieces from the LouVRE at
National Museum of Singapore (NM)
© National Heritage Board

30
Heritage ENGAGING MINDS,
Development Plan INSPIRING HEARTS

b: Staging Country NHB also worked with STB to promote the

Vietnam Festival, reinforcing the whole-
Festivals – Fostering
of-government effort to make Singapore
Understanding through a vibrant global city. The inaugural
an Integrated Festival Vietnam Festival was a great success and
Experience supported the larger engagement of
the ASEAN agenda to foster better
To provide a holistic experience to the understanding among ASEAN countries.
understanding of other cultures and To date, it has attracted more than
civilisations, NHB initiated a wide country- 250,000 visitors to the NHB museums
themed festival under the aegis of RCP and generated extensive media coverage
in 2007. The festival approach was locally, in the Vietnamese Press and in
inaugurated with the Vietnam Festival, international media.
which was held in conjunction with the
35th anniversary of diplomatic relations NHB will continue to organise more
between Singapore and Vietnam. It was country-themed festivals to engage and
officially opened by the Vietnamese Deputy expand Singaporeans’ appreciation of
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham cultures in the region. A China festival
Gia Khiem at a ceremony hosted by is also being featured from July to
Mr George Yeo at ACM on 20 May 2008. September 2008. NHB museums will
have exhibitions of Mao artefacts in ACM,
The Vietnam Festival enhanced the a contemporary Chinese art exhibition in
cultural appreciation of Vietnam and SAM in collaboration with the National
generated much goodwill between the Art Museum of China (NAMOC), a
two countries. The Vietnam Festival contemporary Chinese film festival in NM
also offered an excellent platform for and a show on Chinese stamps in SPM. A
integrated programming across the festival on the Philippines is being planned
NHB heritage institutions as well as with for 2009, in celebration of 40 years of
other Museum Roundtable members, diplomatic ties between Singapore and
like Healthzone and Raffles Museum of the Philippines. Together, these will enable
Biodiversity Research. Singaporeans were Singaporeans to experience the region at
able to experience Vietnam from multiple home, fostering better understanding and
avenues, such as exhibitions of art and appreciation of our neighbours.
artefacts, performances, films and food.

Journey through the Land of the Lotus Exhibition

at Singapore Philatelic Museum (SPM) as part of
Vietnam Festival © National Heritage Board

31
Heritage ENGAGING MINDS,
Development Plan INSPIRING HEARTS

Mothers Of The Expat World Take Note

At the start of the summer holidays Rosie Milne shares her pretending-to-be-somewhere-you’re-not works quite well, too.
secret of keeping the Little Darlings occupied. We did indeed eat Vietnamese food all week: fried tofu with
five spices; beef with lemon grass; rice paper rolls with mango,
I take a laissez-faire attitude to bringing up my children so it’s avocado, cucumber, mint, coriander and spring onion, and so
rare that I ever feel inclined to offer anybody parenting advice. on and so forth. In case you want to try something similar we
However the summer school holidays have now arrived, and used Authentic Recipes From Vietnam, by Trieu Thi Choi and
on the very first day I hit on a such an unexpectedly successful Marcel Isaak, as a starting point.
means of keeping my Little Darlings – more accurately, my
Little Draggers – occupied that I feel I would be doing a My choice of Vietnam as our pretend location was not casual.
disservice to mothers everywhere if I didn’t share it. Singapore happened to be in the midst of a Vietnam Festival,
enabling locals and tourists alike to catch Vietnamese films
at the National Museum, marvel at Vietnamese artefacts at
the Asian Civilisations Museum, admire Vietnamese art at the
Singapore Art Museum, explore Vietnamese stamps at the
Philatelic Museum, and view a rare collection of Vietnamese
film posters at the National Archives.

I had a cunning plan to take the offspring to as many of these

exhibitions as possible in our Vietnamese week, but, in fact,
we only made it to Viet Nam! From Myth to Modernity at
the Asian Civilisations Museum, and Journey Through The
Land Of The Lotus at the Philatelic Museum. At Viet Nam!
From Myth To Modernity, I asked each child to pick his or
her favourite artefact. The Beloved Son, who is mad on frogs,
chose a miniature bronze drum, decorated with three frogs,
Stamp collecting has always struck me as irredeemably anorak but I was
wrong to be so sniffy. which could have been as old as the sixth century BC. If I
understood all right, the drum might have been thought of
“Darlings,” I trilled, in my most ingratiating voice, “I know as the reincarnation of a frog, and it could have been used
we’re not actually going anywhere this summer but why don’t in rainmaking rituals, as frogs were thought of as the sprits of
we pretend we’re somewhere exotic? Golly! I know! Why don’t water and of rain.
we pretend we’re in Vietnam? Gosh! We can eat Vietnamese
food all week! ... In the meantime, why don’t you go on the Apparently, some Vietnamese sources cite the toad as “the
Internet and prepare speeches about Vietnamese culture? uncle of the heavenly god” whose croaks bring rain. The
Daddy and I’ll take you out tonight for Vietnamese noodles, Darling Daughter does not share her brother’s frog obsession,
and you can give your speeches over dinner!” and she chose a stone banister carved in the shape of a
mythical lion-dog called a Sau. This came from a staircase
Wow! How exciting! My children are not complete idiots and in a royal palace, and it dated from the 11th-13th centuries
I had little hope they’d actually fall for this research-is-fun AD. The Sau was depicted with a ball in its mouth and its
lark. I expected rolled eyes and point blank refusals. But, claws outstretched. It had an extravagant mane, and a flowing
astonishingly, they thought mine was a simply wonderful idea. tail. It was wearing a collar, with a bell attached, and, rather
They both spent the whole day busily making notes: The charmingly, it had a lotus flower on top of its head.
Beloved Son on the Viet Cong; The Darling Daughter on Tet
– Vietnamese New Year. As for myself, I particularly liked some of the blue-and-white
ceramics, especially a 15th century dish decorated with
As bribed, The Banker and I took them to a hole-in-the-wall dragons. Apparently, it might have been a diplomatic gift from
Vietnamese noodle joint for dinner. Here they delivered their the Vietnamese to the court in East Java. Meanwhile, our visit
speeches with such loud enthusiasm that I’m sure half the to Journey Through The Land Of The Lotus was our first to the
other customers hoped we’d be chucked out. So mothers Singapore Philatelic Museum. I’d been reluctant to attend this
of the expat world there you have it: set your Little Darlings temple of stamp collecting, since said stamp collecting has
schoolwork if you need a bit of peace and quiet. And the always struck me as irredeemably anorak – an attitude clearly

32
Heritage ENGAGING MINDS,
Development Plan INSPIRING HEARTS

inherited by The Beloved Son, who informed me, as we set

off, that he’d never had any interest in stamps. However, we
were both wrong to be so sniffy. The Museum turned out to be
great fun, with lots of hands-on and interactive activities – if
you’re ever in Singapore with children, do consider paying it a
visit. A series of galleries explore how stamps are made, and
used. The permanent collections include a comprehensive
survey of local stamps dating back to 1854, and also stamp
oddities, such as stamps impregnated with fragrances, and
stamps that glow in the dark. We, of course, had come to
see the Vietnamese stamps. These were presented along
with a selection of postcards that traced the history of
Vietnam from French colonial rule in the early 1900s up to the
present day.

Vietnam has 54 minority groups, and various ethnic costumes

were also on display, many of them lent by The Vietnam
Women’s Museum in Hanoi. Other ethnic costumes were
represented on a delightful set of dolls, also lent by the
Women’s Museum. After we’d explored the exhibition, we went
to the shop where, for about 75 pence, The Darling Daughter
bought a set of stamps depicting Vietnamese flowers, and
The Beloved Son bought a set depicting those well-known
cultural artefacts, Vietnamese hot air balloons.

Our Vietnamese week is now over. The children are debating

where we should pretend to go next: Italy, or Mexico? Since
we’ve just got back from The Philatelic Museum I can’t resist
the obvious joke: I’ll keep you posted.

Viet Nam!: From Myth to Modernity Exhibition

at Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) as part of
Vietnam Festival © National Heritage Board

Reproduced with permission from Telegraph UK website at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2008/07/31/rosiemilne.xml

33
INTRODUCTION

‘What’s Your Story?’: Theme of Singapore HeritageFest 2007 © National Heritage Board

34
6
community engagement are as follows:
(A) Cultivating arts and culture muses of
tomorrow
(B) Garnering heartshare

AT HOME WITH (C) Cultivating volunteerism

HERITAGE:
(D) Engaging online communities

ENGAGING COMMUNITIES, A: Cultivating Arts

FOSTERING NATIONHOOD and Culture Muses of
Tomorrow

“ This year, the HeritageFest is

launched in the heartlands
Heritage and culture are anchors for
Singaporeans, instilling national pride and
retaining their sense of identity and rooted-
NHB believes in the importance of
developing a love for heritage and culture
among the young, who will become the arts
for the first time, with a vast ness in the face of rapid globalisation. They and culture muses of tomorrow. Children
who visit museums will become the next
array of activities organised enrich the quality of lives of Singaporeans,
contributing towards making Singapore a generation of museum-goers in Singapore,
in the heartlands. In this who will inspire yet another generation of
great home. Through engendering greater
way, we are making a special community participation and engagement museum-goers by bringing their children
in the arena of heritage and culture, to the museums. With the support of RCP
effort to connect with our
communit y bonds and at tachment funding, NHB has developed a series of
Singaporeans and PRs living to Singapore are strengthened. NHB programmes specially tailored for children
in the heartlands. Multi- recognises the importance of gaining and youths. The aim of these programmes
heartshare and mindshare of Singaporeans is to seed interest in heritage and culture
sensory festivities, spanning
in transforming Singapore into a vibrant in young minds and build cultural ballast
vernacular concerts, dress-up global city. To this end, NHB’s engagement among young Singaporeans in a fun,
competitions for children to strategies have been guided by the ethos engaging and educational way. These
of social inclusiveness and community programmes are generally popular and
a food exhibition, all free of
ownership, catering to the diverse needs are set to be the mainstay of our museum
charge, have also been lined of our communities. Our strategies for programming.
up at other popular heartland
malls such as Compass
Point and HDB Hub to
bring heritage events to

”
Singaporeans’ doorsteps.

~ SMS MICA, RADM (NS)

Lui Tuck Yew,
at the Opening of the
Singapore HeritageFest 2008

Engaging Children at the Singapore Philateic Museum (SPM) © National Heritage Board

35
Heritage AT HOME WITH
Development Plan HERITAGE

Students’ Tour to the National Museum of Singapore (NMS) © National Heritage Board

The Children’s Discovery Gallery at the installations developed specifically for

Singapore History Museum (SHM) was children during blockbusters. Our efforts
developed with RCP funding and was in cultivating young audiences have been
used as an early strategy to draw young very encouraging thus far, and we have
audiences. Designed for children aged seen increasing demands for new seasons
seven to 12 years old, the exhibition of such programmes. These initiatives
adopted interactive exhibits to explain have established our museums as premier
Singapore’s cultural heritage, visual and learning destinations for families with
performing arts. It was a popular exhibition, children.
and reinforced NHB’s conviction to focus
our audience development efforts on The NM’s Museum Toddlers programme Children’s Corner at The Peranakan Museum (TPM)
© National Heritage Board
young children and youths. is aimed at introducing toddlers to the
arts and heritage through artefact-based
Over the years, Children’s Discovery Gallery learning. Co-developed with an education
evolved into a plethora of new programmes specialist, this programme adopts children-
for young audiences with different age oriented pedagogy to inspire the senses
groups, such as Toddlers programme and of toddlers. Through this programme,
History Alive Interactive tours! Interactive NHB hopes to show that no child is too
tours. NHB also consciously devotes young for museums. It has proven to be
spaces for children within museums, very popular with the public, and NHB
such as the interactive learning corners will continue with this programme in the
within permanent galleries at ACM as longer term.
well as activity booklets and interactive

36
Heritage AT HOME WITH
Development Plan HERITAGE

For pre-schoolers, the Out of the NHB has adopted drama as a form of
Box! Workshops adopt inter-disciplinary pedagogy to reach out to school children
approaches to engage children to think through the Dramatising Heritage
out of the box through history and culture. and Drama of History Competition
Focusing on puppets and legends, the programmes developed with RCP
first series of workshops adopted the funding. Dramatising Heritage was a
Asian epics of Ramayana and Journey to comprehensive series of plays on heritage
the West to inspire pre-schoolers to think that were brought to kindergartens,
creatively about heritage and culture by primary schools and secondary schools
engaging them in group tasks relating to in 2000. About 500 of these travelling
the epics. Since its launch in 2006, the heritage shows were performed until
Out of the Box! Workshops have been 2003. The Drama of History Competition
considered a signature programme at NM. by NM is an ongoing event which
With RCP funding, NM intends to develop requires students to write and stage
a second series of the workshop using a their own 10-minute plays based on a
different collection from the museum. topic or character in Singapore’s history,
after viewing the museum’s mixed-
media exhibits. The popularity of both
programmes attests to the success of
experiential learning as an innovative way
to reach out to children and cultivate their
early bonding with the museums.

For youths, Soul 2 Soul attempts to

engage youths in a competition to create
works related to heritage and culture
through photography, graphic design and
guerilla film-making. Over 100 pieces of
creative works were produced arising
from the programme for the inaugural
competition in 2007, culminating in an
exhibition curated by young talent Brian
Gothong Tan. This was a positive start for
NHB to attract youth audience and create
an appealing environment to draw them
back for repeat visits and engagement.
With continued funding from RCP, NHB
has plans to develop Soul 2 Soul into a
bi-annual youth festival with the next run
commencing in 2009.

GB
Children’s Season at the National Museum of
Singapore (NMS) © National Heritage Board

37
Heritage AT HOME WITH
Development Plan HERITAGE

B: Garnering in 1999) with the view of bringing heritage organisations, residents, as well as other
and history to life. Since the Singapore government agencies. The community
Heartshare
River Trail, NHB has since branched plays an important role in sustaining these
out into Community Heritage Trails. trails by incorporating these as part of their
To extend the reach of heritage and create
NHB works closely with grassroots and ongoing programmes in their respective
museums without walls, NHB has been
residents to document the communities’ grassroots organisations. Besides being
organising heritage and cultural festivals,
heritage, with the aim of deepening the an effective heritage outreach project to
with the twin strategy of bringing heritage
heartlanders’ sense of belonging towards promote heritage awareness, this project
closer to the communities and bringing
their neighbourhoods and through that, also promotes community bonding, social
communities closer to heritage. These
strengthen their sense of national identity. cohesion and racial harmony due to its
efforts contribute towards developing a
To date, four additional community grounds-up approach. For example, the
strong heritage and cultural base in the
walking trails around Singapore have been Bukit Timah Trail was based on research
building of our ‘renaissance’ economy.
marked including Jalan Besar (2006), by students from National Junior College.
Balestier (2006), Bukit Timah (2007) and Besides community trails, NHB’s reach to
The Singapore HeritageFest is NHB’s
Queenstown (2008). communities is complemented with oral
signature annual event funded by RCP.
history interviews and new publications
The HeritageFest raises Singaporeans’
Moving ahead, RCP funding will allow that document residents’ shared memories
awareness and appreciation of heritage.
NHB to develop new community trails about the rich history and multi-ethnic
A collaborative effort between NHB
together with community and grassroots culture of Singapore.
and partners from the public, private
and people sectors, the HeritageFest
c eleb r ate s Sing ap o re’s di ver s e,
multicultural heritage through the
many fun, educational and interactive
programmes at regional hubs and
shopping centres. Over the past
years, the festival’s specially curated
exhibitions, treasure hunts, heritage trails,
competitions, movie screenings and
performances have provided a platform to
share personal stories or different aspects
of our heritage and shared culture.

In the recent years, HeritageFest also

inaugurated Culture 101, a series of
talks on art appreciation with the aim of
introducing the community to art and
culture, debunking notions of art and
culture as an elite activity. It also included
a vintage car show, which attracted new
audiences to the HeritageFest. In the four
years of the festival’s inauguration in 2004
to 2007, it has attracted over 4 million
visitors in total including locals and tourists.
In recognition of the festival’s efforts to
showcase Singapore’s rich and unique
culture, the Singapore HeritageFest won
the STB’s Uniquely Singapore Award at
the Singapore Tourism Awards in 2006.
Community Events at Singapore HeritageFest 2007 © National Heritage Board
With support from RCP funds, NHB
marked Singapore’s second walking trail
along the Singapore river in 2005 (the
first being the Civic District Trail, marked

38
Heritage AT HOME WITH
Development Plan HERITAGE

The International Museum Day (IMD) C: Cultivating D: Engaging Online

is another NHB key annual event aimed
Volunteerism Communities
at bringing communities closer to the
Museum Roundtable (MR) museums and
Recognising the impor tance of As we move into the digital age, heritage
allows them to experience museums as
engendering support from communities, and culture also expands beyond the
lively and exciting cultural destinations
NHB has stepped up efforts to engage our physical to the virtual realm. NHB has also
with something for everyone. Celebrated
volunteers in the Friends of the Museums been quick and bold in harnessing the
annually by all museums around the
(FOM) and Museum Volunteers (MV). potential of the new media to offer new
world, NHB works hand in hand with other
NHB museums work with volunteers to services and experiences to its audience.
museums in the MR to raise awareness
offer training, personal development, and NHB has established its presence on the
of Singapore’s museums and increase
special previews to its museum exhibitions. web to reach out to online communities,
museum visitorship through various
Such active volunteering at museums via its websites such as a2o (i.e. access
exciting lifestyle activities and events such
engenders greater ownership of heritage to archives online), Yesterday.sg (i.e.
as special bus tours, workshops, outdoor
and culture amongst our communities. Singapore heritage blog), MyStory Portal
picnics, calligraphy classes and free visits
(i.e. a community wiki to post one’s
to selected museums. IMD has been
memories or write about treasured family
reaching out to an average of 100,000
heirlooms) and SGCooL (i.e. an online
visitors per year since 2006.
repository of artefacts and artworks in
the Singapore national collection). NHB’s
outreach through the virtual space has
gained ground amongst netizens. In
the near future, NHB will be offering
more online opportunities through web
2.0 services such as Facebook, blogs
and wikis.

In 20 0 4, NHB inaugurated the

Community Events at Singapore HeritageFest Singapore Family Tree (SFT) portal, a
2007 © National Heritage Board
one-stop genealogy portal connecting
Singaporeans past and present, local
and overseas. The portal is aimed at
preserving Singaporean’s personal, family
and community heritage, and deepening
their sense of community, rootedness
and connectivity with their ancestral
cultures. In the SFT, individuals can build
their “family trees” online using their
personal artefacts, digital images, videos,
oral recordings and particulars of family
members and relatives and enables
individuals or groups to search for long
lost friends and relatives. To date, some
70,000 entered their names into the SFT
database and generated 6,000 family
trees with links extending as far as Europe
and USA.

39
INTRODUCTION

Conservator at work at Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC) © National Heritage Board

40
7
in the appreciation of the arts and culture
through the multi-sensory experiences
offered by the new museum.

As the Singaporean socio-economic

landscape matures, more developments
can be expected in the heritage and
cultural sector. The renewed interest

ATTRACTING TALENT AND in heritage and culture will lead to

the flourishing of community projects

BUILDING CAPABILITIES championed by ethnic communities

to celebrate their individual cultural
identities and increased public interest
in the preservation of monuments. Such

“ The nurturing of more

artistic talents will take time.
A vibrant global city for heritage and
culture needs a ready pool of creative
talents, including artists and other ancillary
developments will add new dimensions in
the talent requirements for the heritage
and cultural sector and increase demand
for a wider range of expertise in areas
Perhaps even more time professions, who inspire and stimulate the
such as ethnology, archaeology and
than it takes than to build creative cluster with new ideas and artistic
heritage valuation.
imagination, re-inventing and nourishing
museums and concert halls.
the growth of the heritage ecosystem.
But this is an endeavour In the medium term, demand for talents
We need to nurture more high-quality
in the heritage and cultural sector will
that we are committed to in talent in the heritage and cultural sector
rise. New developments in the heritage
as Singapore strives to become a vibrant
order to ensure that the arts and cultural sector and increasing
global city for heritage and culture.
and culture in Singapore will private collections based in Singapore
will bring added opportunities but also
always be able to stimulate, the immediate challenge of addressing
educate and anchor our Small domestic market, the shortfall in skilled manpower, both
hard to compete for in terms of numbers and skill-sets. The
people in this fast changing
talent development of the skilled manpower
world. Nurturing a dynamic required will take time and resources. To
arts and cultural sector is At present, opportunities to pursue address this projected shortfall in skilled
professional training and development in manpower, RCP has channelled a total of
also important because it
heritage and culture, particularly heritage- S$6.43 million from FY2000 to FY2008
is the artistic core of the related subjects, in Singapore are limited. into talent development in the heritage
creative cluster. Without the Given the small size of the heritage and and cultural sector, accounting for about
cultural sector, Singapore’s education 26 per cent of the total RCP budget
arts and culture, there can be allocated to NHB.
institutions do not offer specialised

”
no creative industry. courses in art history, archaeology or
conservation. NHB is the existing de-
~ Minister of Information, facto standards bearer of the heritage and Building the Talent
Communications and the Arts,
Dr Lee Boon Yang,
cultural sector. Pipeline
2003, at the opening dinner of
However, the outlook for the heritage and To build the talent pipeline in heritage
the 2nd World Summit on Arts and
Culture on 24 November 2003 cultural sector is set to brighten in the and culture, NHB is working closely with
near future. In the short to medium term NAC and other agencies such as the
(2010–2013), high-profile plans to develop School of the Arts (SOTA) and Workforce
the National Art Gallery (NAG), which is Development Agency (WDA) to raise the
targeted to open in 2013, and the two profile and value of careers in heritage
museums in the Integrated Resorts (IR), and culture. Our strategies involve
which will open in 2010, will drive interest upgrading the skills and professionalism
and demand for personnel trained in of players in the heritage and cultural
heritage and culture. The recent launch of sector and enhancing appreciation and
8QSAM, a contemporary art museum, is a understanding of traditional arts among
new platform to engage young audiences teachers and members of the public.

41
ATTRACTING TALENT
Heritage AND BUILDING
Development Plan CAPABILITIES

Creating awareness and support among A: Spotting Talent – Under the RCP programme, NHB awarded
the public is also critical in shaping scholarships to two promising youths to
Heritage Internships
views about entering and establishing a read History and Art History under the
career in the heritage and cultural sector. NHB Scholarship Scheme which was
The decision to pursue a career in heritage
Towards this end, NHB rolls out a raft of inaugurated in 2007. Moving forward,
and culture does not happen by chance,
outreach activities to engage the public, NHB will enhance the Scholarship
and is often reinforced by interactions in
especially young children, youths and Scheme as a ongoing feature as part of
the heritage and cultural sector. To talent-
schoolteachers. The activities include our efforts to attract talent for the heritage
spot young emerging heritage talents,
setting up a kids’ museum club and and cultural sector.
NHB has put forth Heritage Internship
organising heritage-inspired programmes,
Awards (HIA) for students and young,
workshops, seminars, lectures and RCP funds also supported education
practising professionals who possess a
enrichment programmes for youths and programmes conducted by HCC aimed
passion to pursue careers in museums,
teachers. at raising awareness and educating the
archives and conservation. These
public on heritage preservation and
internships, which are supported by RCP
conservation. These programmes are
funds, introduce students to heritage and
Capabilities Development culture, and help them make informed
intended for members of the public as
Framework well as private collectors and professionals
decisions about pursuing life-long careers
working in the heritage and cultural sector,
in the sector. NHB has regularly offered
Even as the heritage and cultural sector and to date, it has successfully reached
internship opportunities to students at
is set to grow, it can be expected that out to about 10,000 people.
our local tertiary institutions, and to date,
the public sector will remain the biggest about 100 students have participated in
employer of heritage and culture NHB will be working with WDA and other
the programme.
professionals, locally. It is thus imperative creative industries such as NAC, to develop
that NHB takes the lead in spearheading a Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ)
certification scheme for conservators and
training and development programmes B: Building Specialist registrars in Singapore. As part of this
and establishing itself as a centre of
Competencies and certification scheme, NHB will work with
excellence in heritage and cultural
management and scholarship. Nurturing Talent – WDA to draw up the course materials and
Specialised Courses and possibly facilitate training programmes
to build up critical skill-sets in the areas
NHB’s c ap ab ili tie s devel opment Heritage Scholarships
framework focuses on four key areas: of conservation and artefact registration.
Separately, NHB is in discussions with
(A) Spotting talent, To develop the professionalism of heritage
Republic Polytechnic (RP) to develop a
talents who have decided to pursue a
(B) Building specialist competencies joint certification course on aesthetics
career in heritage and culture, NHB offers
and nurturing talents, and art appreciation, targeted at working
professional development opportunities
(C) Developing professional excellence, adults interested in the arts and heritage.
by disbursing scholarships and developing
and Such efforts are a vital step in engaging
specialised training programmes in
the heritage and cultural professionals
(D) Celebrating talent. conservation and archival management.
and growing the heritage ecosystem.

NHB’s Capabilities Development Framework

• Thought Leadership
Professional Leadership and
Heritage • Research & Development Research for Heritage Scholars
Scholars • Professional Excellence

• Specialist Training Scholarships and Specialised

Heritage Professionals • Professional Development Courses for Heritage Professionals

Heritage Enthusiasts • Engagement Talent Spotting

Internships for Enthusiasts

42
ATTRACTING TALENT
Heritage AND BUILDING
Development Plan CAPABILITIES

C: Developing
Professional Excellence The Man who Made History
To further augment Singapore’s aim to Makes History
become a centre of excellence in heritage
and culture, NHB will be investing
Special Recognition Award: Mr Jeyathurai Ayadurai, General Manager, Singapore
resources from RCP funds to grow
History Consultants (SHC); Director, The Changi Museum Pte Ltd; Managing
our research and scholarship arm. An
Director, Journeys Pte Ltd.
important development in this area is the
formation of a Research and Publications
History earned its place in history during the Tourism Awards 2008, as it were.
Unit (RPU) within ACM with the aim of
establishing a regional hub synonymous
Mr Jeyathurai Ayadurai, Director of
with excellent research and publication
The Changi Museum, who also wears
in Asian art, archeology and culture. The
two other hats – General Manager,
RPU will be the pre-eminent expert that will
Singapore History Consultants (SHC)
spearhead knowledge-sharing on various
and Managing Director, Journeys
platforms such as lectures, seminars,
Pte Ltd – was singled out for his
conferences and publications contributing
to ACM’s mission of exploring and “knowledge of local military history
presenting the cultures and civilisations and his significant contributions to
of Asia. Two research fellowships per year Singapore heritage”.
Mr Jeyathurai Ayadurai,
will be offered to further RPU’s research. Director of The Changi Museum
RCP funds will also be allocated to support
research and publication efforts of other In awarding the Special Recognition Award to Mr Ayadurai, STB credited him for
NHB institutions. creating “an entirely new market when he founded SHC in 1995 to educate and
share with others, Singapore’s rich history and heritage”.

D: Celebrating Talent “Through his valuable insightful research and consultancy services, Mr Ayadurai
has developed SHC into a premier research organisation specialising in Singapore’s
– Building Scholarship
history,” said STB.
and Knowledge Base
“As Director of The Changi Museum, Mr Ayadurai has raised awareness of the
Recognising achievements of heritage Pacific War, making the museum a must-visit for veterans and visitors interested
professionals is crucial in attracting and in the War’s history. The museum has also received international praise for its
retaining talents in the heritage and
sensitive and poignant portrayal of those war years.
cultural sector. NHB will leverage on
platforms that are organised by sectors
“Through Journeys Pte Ltd, Mr Ayadurai developed the ‘Original Singapore Walks’,
with a shared interest in heritage and
a novel way to appreciate Singapore’s culture and heritage. Mr Ayadurai has
culture, such as academia, professional
steered the firm and its walking tours to make Singapore heritage hip and exciting
bodies or related industries. NHB also
for visitors and locals to enjoy.”
plans to work more closely with industry
players to introduce suitable industry
awards to motivate decisions to join
the heritage and cultural sector as they Reproduced with permission from the Singapore Tourist Board’s official website https://www.stbpassport.com/
newbites_sp08_s4.aspx
publicly exemplify and validate the
success of careers in the industry.

43
Heritage
Development Plan INTRODUCTION

NHB national collection at our treasure trove in Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC)

44
8
In meeting these goals, NHB faces both
challenges and opportunities. There
is a need to develop a comprehensive
system to guide the establishment of
conservation and management standards
applicable across the heritage and

RELISHING AND cultural sector. To have a holistic view

of the heritage and cultural resources, it

RESTORING HERITAGE is essential to provide a comprehensive

listing of the heritage and cultural assets

RESOURCES we have as a nation. While there exists

a number of platforms and is offered
by heritage and cultural information,

“
this presentation is rather fragmented
The complexity and range of Cultural heritage is a unique and and offered by individual stakeholders.
irreplaceable resource. It is thus a national There is currently no common
the challenges facing Singapore directory that pulls the information
responsibility to safeguard our cultural
has increased, with greater heritage for the benefit of our future together as a whole. Globalisation has
global economic and socio- generations. Cultural heritage includes sparked greater interest in heritage and
intangible cultures encompassing cultural preservation, and has increased
political tension as a result of the appeal of cultural tourism, which is
traditions, values and beliefs, artefacts
conflict and competition. There and artworks, places and buildings as now a leading growth sector in ASEAN.
are numerous issues globally well as archives and records. NHB is the There is widespread resolve for heritage
custodian of Singapore’s cultural heritage and archival materials to be restored,
– including climate change, rejuvenated and re-used.
and leads the charge in safeguarding
bioethics, ideological trends – and sutaining the integrity of the nation’s
that will have a major impact on heritage resources. Beyond carrying out NHB aims to ensure the authenticity,
its custodian role, NHB also manages sustainability and relevance of heritage
the future of Singapore. As our and cultural resources through the three
and develops the heritage and cultural
nation progresses, our unique resources to fulfil its vision to transform key areas of focus:
Singaporean identity, shared Singapore into a distinctive global hub (A) Managing heritage resources,
for heritage and culture. These twin
values and heritage will be our (B) Developing heritage resources, and
accountabilities centre on the underlying
greatest resource to ensure goals of relishing our heritage and cultural (C) Strengthening governance of heritage
that Singapore remains Home, resources as sovereign treasures and resources.

”
restoring them as an integral part of our
regardless of where we are.
daily lives.
~ SMS MICA, RADM (NS)
Lui Tuck Yew,
at the Racial Harmony Day
Celebrations on 21 July 2008

Learning about Singapore’s Heritage and Culture © National Heritage Board

45
RELISHING AND
Heritage RESTORING HERITAGE
Development Plan RESOURCES

A: Managing Heritage NHB actively promotes the appreciation The online repository makes available the
and application of the national heritage, NHB database of Singapore’s historical
Resources
artefacts, artworks and archival records, records, artefacts, publications and other
including oral history recordings, through heritage resources for viewing and use
In managing the assets which include the
exhibitions in the museums, interpretative by interested parties from anywhere in
national collection of historical records,
centres and travelling exhibitions. The the world. Moving ahead, through the H-
documents, artefacts and artworks, NHB
NAS facilitates research of historical Portal, NHB aims to be the lead aggregator
ensures their authenticity and integrity
records and references in its archives of all heritage and cultural information in
through rendering professional assessment
reading room. NHB also promotes the Singapore, linking up heritage and cultural
of their value, comprehensive record
use of the national heritage resources resources from repositories in the public,
and documentation of their existence
in publications, design works as well as people and private sectors and hopefully,
and adequate protection and insurance
merchandising. Besides the physical spur the development of the online
against any loss and damage. These
platform, the public can also access the heritage and cultural market.
functions are carried within the larger
heritage resources online through the
NHB management framework as well as
e-Archival System (www.a2o.com), which In addition to the management of physical
via specialised functional divisions.
is funded by RCP for national archival records and artefacts, NHB also looks
e-records and for images and explanations into the conservation and management
NHB ensures proper conservation and
of part of the national collection of of intangible heritage. The Oral History
storage of historical records and national
artefacts and artworks through the Centre (OHC) programme of collecting
collection of artefacts and artworks
Singapore Collections Online or SGCooL memories of people who have influenced
through its peak institutions, the National
(www.sgcool.com). and participated in Singapore’s history
Archives of Singapore (NAS) and HCC
through recorded interviews was
respectively. These institutions organise
SGCool was the first online repository augmented from FY2004 with a five-year
and deliver specialist care within secure
of artefacts and artworks in Singapore, funding under RCP. Under this project,
repositories that form the viscera of the
launched in May 2007. In 2008, NHB OHC works closely with the community
national heritage management system.
amplified the boundaries of virtual access sectors such as entertainment and
They have set in place systematic
by launching the H-Portal to provide a the arts, self-help groups, sports and
procedures for proper recording and
single sign-on and one-stop service hub for traditional trades to document vernacular
management of heritage resources
all NHB websites and online services. The histories of these communities, serving
which are in line with the best practices
H-portal is also a social networking and as an important resource chronicling
of the industry. NAS has achieved ISO
knowledge-sharing platform for curators, Singapore’s lived experiences. Most of
9001:2000 certification in imaging
researchers, specialists and enthusiasts the interviews conducted by OHC are
and record conservation services, in
in the heritage and cultural ecosystem. currently available online.
recognition of quality and operational
efficiency in key preservation processes
while HCC has achieved ISO 9001:2000
certification in the area of providing of
heritage collections management services
such as documentation, inventory,
storage and preventive conservation.
Life by the River, Liu Kang, 1975
These certifications attest to the stringent Donated by Liu Kang, Singapore Art Museum Collection © National Heritage Board
procedures NHB has put in place for the
management of heritage resources.

46
RELISHING AND
Heritage RESTORING HERITAGE
Development Plan RESOURCES

B: Developing Heritage national significance, with artistic and C: Strengthening

cultural value that can complement the
Resources Governance of Heritage
existing national collection. This can
further build up the base for research Resources
Even as our museums and NAS have
and scholarship and reinforce Singapore
taken steps towards a fairly representative NHB is working towards the establishment
as a global hub for heritage and culture.
collection of works of Singapore and the of an accreditation system for private- and
Moving forward, NHB will work closely
region over the years, there is a need to public-sector museums and heritage
with all public agencies to leverage further
continue building on the scope and depth galleries, which will ensure the presence
on the IMCMS to form a comprehensive
of their collections to present a richer of a physical and regulatory environment
resource base on Singapore.
and more compelling story on Singapore that is conducive to heritage and cultural
and our regional links. As Singapore development. This will allow for greater
New capacity-building is taking place
matures and actively seeks to establish transparency and accountability of
with NAG and the recently opened
itself as a global heritage hub, NHB, as contemporary arts space, 8QSAM. industry players, and also spur specialised
the national custodian, leads the nation Storage and conservation capacity will training programmes to raise professional
in actively procuring, on an ongoing also be increased with the upcoming standards across the heritage and
basis, artefacts, artworks and records HCC extension. NHB will work with key cultural sector. NHB is committed to
that are representative of the nation’s stakeholders, such as URA, PA, NLB work with public agencies and other
developmental milestones. Having a good and HDB to develop satellite venues private stakeholders including heritage
quality and representative collection is through the integration of heritage spaces interest groups to develop a consistent
essential for attracting collaborations, integrated within public and community policy framework and put in place other
loans and exchanges with leading overseas buildings to foster greater awareness and institutional and infrastructural provisions
institutions. participation of the public in heritage to manage, develop and strengthen the
and culture. NHB also encourages active governance of heritage resources. This
NHB has aggregated information on museum development in the private will help Singapore to realise its vision
artworks and artefacts of some agencies, sector. For example, NHB is working of becoming a distinctive global hub for
such as the Singapore Sports Council with the Oei Hong Leong Foundation to heritage and culture.
(SSC) and NUS Museum, which have realise a new museum for Buddhist
subscribed to the Integrated Museum artefacts, and providing consultancy in
Collections Management System museum development to community
(IMCMS). There are also artefacts and heritage projects.
artworks that have been collected by other
public-sector agencies, which maybe of

NHB’s Newest Addition: A Comtemporary Art

Museum at 8Q SAM © National Heritage Board
DA
Heritage Workshops and Guided Tours
at NHB © National Heritage Board

47
Heritage
Development Plan INTRODUCTION

Making Museums Alive! at the International Museum Day 2007 © National Arts Council

48
9
Since its implementation in 2000, RCP
has achieved successes on many fronts.
On the international front, it has helped

FROM HARDWARE TO to expand the Singapore brand to include

the image of a creator of unique heritage

HEARTWARE: content and a trailblazer for innovative

IT applications of heritage resources,

TOWARDS A DISTINCTIVE showcasing Singapore on the international

stage while fostering warm ties with other
GLOBAL HUB FOR HERITAGE countries. On the national front, RCP

AND CULTURE
funding has provided opportunities for
Singaporeans to experience the rich cultural
heritage of other civilisations, broadening
the horizons of Singaporeans while serving

“ I hope many more

individuals and organisations
The main RCP thrusts have facilitated
growth and development of Singapore’s
heritage and cultural sector. Under RCP’s
as an anchor for Singaporeans in the face
of rapid globalisation. On the personal
front, RCP funds provide opportunities for
will come forward to support aegis, NHB has embarked on six broad the personal growth and development of
our heritage. Together, we strategic directions, capitalising on the both Singaporeans and foreigners through
latent potential of heritage and culture initiatives to develop heritage talents, grow
can realise our vision of the heritage ecosystem and provide a
to transform Singapore into a distinctive
Singapore as a vibrant, global hub for heritage and culture. The variety of events and programmes at our
inspiring and Creative City six broad directions are: museums and in the HDB heartlands.

rooted in our heritage (a) Creating distinctive made in The RCP initiatives have translated into

”
and culture. Singapore heritage content, tangible results reflecting increased public
(b) Putting Singapore on the world awareness and community engagement
~ Minister of Information, stage, on heritage development. The most
Communications and the Arts, (c) Exposing Singaporeans to world- visible factors are rising visitorship to our
Dr Lee Boon Yang, museums, outreach activities and online
class collections,
at Patron of Heritage Awards web resources. The 20 per cent jump
Ceremony on 3 April 2007 (d) Engaging communities, fostering
nationhood, in the Heritage Awareness Index from
2002 to 2006 attests to the effectiveness
(e) Attracting talent and building
of RCP initiatives over the years. The
capabilities, and
support bases for heritage and culture
(f) Relishing and restoring heritage have enlarged significantly over the
resources. years with growing cultural philanthropy
and increasing museum volunteers
These strategic directions breathed new offering their time at our museums. The
life into Singapore’s heritage and cultural local museum landscape has grown
scene, infusing the heritage ‘heartware’ with more private museums and industry
into ‘hardware’, paving the way for a partners coming onboard, contributing
vibrant and cosmopolitan global city and to the diversity and vibrancy of local
transforming Singapore into a world-class museum scene.
home for Singaporeans and foreigners
alike. These directions will help realise the
vision for a renaissance Singapore and
underpin NHB’s commitment to pursuing
policies and strategies that will secure a
sturdy base for developing Singapore as a
global heritage hub.

49
Heritage FROM HARDWARE TO
Development Plan HEARTWARE

Recognising Heritage Supporters at the Patron of Heritage Awards 2007 © National Heritage Board

Going forward, NHB will build upon these

achievements to scale even greater heights
with continued funding from RCP. NHB
will strengthen partnerships in the people,
private and public sectors to increase the
intensity and diversity of heritage and
cultural offerings in Singapore. NHB will
also be playing a greater role than before
in spearheading efforts to develop the
heritage ecosystem in Singapore through
(HI2P) launched in September 2008. All
these will work towards realising our vision
to make Singapore a Distinctive Global
Hub for the Heritage and Culture.

As we usher in an exciting new phase of

growth, the dynamism and energy of all
players – the people, public and private
sectors – will propel Singapore to scale
new heights in our heritage and cultural
development. These new developments
will also underscore NHB’s commitment
to position Singaporeans for the vision of a
renassance society and nation.

50
© Copyright 2008, National Heritage Board
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

All photos in this publication are copyrighted.

Permission is required for reproduction.

ISBN: 978-981-08-1701-5

Published By
National Heritage Board
140 Hill Street, #03- 02 MICA Building
Singapore 179369
Tel: (65) 6338 0000
Fax: (65) 6332 3568
Website: http://www.nhb.gov.sg

Editorial Team
Corporate Policy
Corporate Services and Planning Division
National Heritage Board

Printed and bound in Singapore.

Designed and produced by SiliconPlus Communications Pte Ltd

First Edition 2008

Renaissance City Plan III
Heritage Development Plan
Renaiss ance Cit y Pl an III — He rit age De ve lopment Pl an