Describe the main features of the policy/measure:
The Australia-Singapore Art Group (ASAG) was established in May 2016 for an initial five-year term until 2021.
ASAG provides strategic and expert advice on arts and cultural engagement, exchange and partnership opportunities, and collaborative capability development between the creative sectors of Singapore and Australia. It supports the mobility of artists and cultural professionals through cultural activities between the two countries, including touring theatrical productions, hosting authors at writers’ festivals, and collaborative dance performances.
The Group includes representatives from Australia and Singapore with arts sector experience, government and business skills. The Ministry of Culture, Communities and Youth (MCCY), Singapore and the Office for the Arts within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications in Australia, act as secretariats for their respective countries for the ASAG members and meetings.
In more recent years, ASAG has further developed its approach to support triangular cooperation with developing nations, for instance through support of participation in the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts, which showcases artists from a variety of countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
What are the results achieved so far through the implementation of the policy/measure?:
ASAG has had six meetings thus far — January 2017 (Singapore), May 2017 (teleconference), September 2017 (Adelaide), July 2018 (Singapore), September 2019 (Melbourne), and November 2020 (virtually hosted by Singapore) — during which major collaborations between cultural organisations were discussed and agreed upon, such as the Cultural Leaders’ Forum and Singapore showcase at OzAsia, both held in September 2017 in Adelaide, as well as the joint blockbuster exhibition by the National Gallery of Singapore (NGS) and the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) on the work of renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
Financial resources allocated to the policy/measure in USD:
N/A
Partner(s) engaged in the implementation of the measure:
| Name of partner | Type of entity |
|---|---|
National Museum of Australia
| Public Sector
|
Singapore National Heritage Board
| Public Sector
|
Australia Council for the Arts
| Public Sector
|
National Arts Council Singapore
| Public Sector
|
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
| Civil Society Organization (CSO)
|
Singapore Symphony Orchestra
| |
Adelaide Festival Centre
| Civil Society Organization (CSO)
|
Has the implementation of the policy/measure been evaluated?:
YES
If yes, what are the main conclusions/recommendations?:
There has been an increase in regular cultural exchanges between Australia and Singapore across art forms relating to ASAG. ASAG has raised the profile of the arts and cultural sectors of both countries, as well as boosted sustained collaboration beyond one-off events.
It is recommended that Australia and Singapore give added consideration to further cooperation in long-term capability building, joint engagement of third countries to demonstrate benefits of Australia-Singapore cooperation in the region, and in promoting the economic and social value of the arts.