A statistical analysis of visual arts exhibitions in Singapore conducted by the National Arts Council (NAC) has indicated that the Singapore arts scene is gaining strength. The study examined the increase in the number of visual arts exhibitions, with a focus on exhibition organisers, venue utilisation and government funding, with the highlights of the study indicating that:

After years of reported steady growth, the number of visual arts exhibitions within Singapore reached an all time high of 520 for 2000, an increase of 28% since 1999. The NAC has noted that the figure remained close in 2001, offering a heartening indication that this level of activity is sustainable and not a one off occurrence.

While the 1999 figures indicated that foreign exhibitions in Singapore outnumbered local exhibitions, its has illustrated that exhibitions held by local artists (including joint exhibitions) have outstripped those by foreign artists since 2000.

Commercial galleries are the main organisers of visuals arts exhibitions, as well as providing the main venues. Together with visual arts groups, they are noted as organising more than half of the visual arts exhibitions in Singapore.

The Singapore government has consistently funded 20% to 35 % of all visual arts exhibitions within the past four years, with the funding quanta also increasing significantly since 2000.

The total number of visual arts programs booked by schools through the NAC’s arts education programs have seen a significant increase, with visual arts programs being listed as the second most popular program within schools in the last three years. A full copy of the report is available online at;www.nac.gov.sg/annex.doc