The Singapore Arts Council has announced a record turnout for the 2006 national arts festival. The festival, which ran from the 1 – 25 June, drew half a million visitors to its many cultural attractions. Attendance at core events reached 80.3%, up from 74.4% in 2005. Director for Singapore Arts Festival and Senior Director for Performing Arts, National Arts Council (NAC), Goh Ching Lee, said: “We are heartened that this national celebration of the arts has been able to engage the Singapore public. Through the process of being touched, moved, and entertained by high quality performances from Singapore and all over the world, Singaporeans can be more connected as a community within itself and to the rest of the world. The turnout reflects Singapore audiences’ continuing support for and appreciation of new local commissions, as well as the Festival’s spirit of innovation." The festival featured six world premieres, six Asian premieres and three co-commissions. Singapore productions attracted unprecedented audiences of 86.1%. The National Arts Council thanked the artists, sponsors, partners and media involved in supporting the flagship event. For more information, CLICK HERE.