Charting 20 Years of Passion, Persistence and Progress at Art Outreach
By Mae Anderson

'My Own Words' is a monthly series which features personal essays by practitioners in the Southeast Asian art community. They deliberate on their locality's present circumstances, articulating observations and challenges in their respective roles.

‘Art Outreach Celebrates the Singapore Story’, presented at an Assembly Programme at North Vista Primary School, July 2022 . Image courtesy of Art Outreach Singapore.

As we mark two decades at Art Outreach Singapore, I'm reminded of our journey through the evolving contours of Singapore's arts landscape.

Our inception in 2003 was driven by a singular, compelling vision: to infuse the appreciation of art into the lives of Singapore's youth. We envisioned an art literate community where art was not only created but also understood and appreciated. Our initial step was straightforward yet ambitious. The scarcity of art-trained educators in primary schools, along with a curriculum primarily geared towards art creation, highlighted the need for art appreciation. To address this, we introduced a series of free lessons aimed at enhancing visual literacy, delving into topics ranging from ‘The Evolution of Portraiture’ and ‘Public Sculpture in Singapore’ to ‘Printmaking’ and ‘Land and Environmental Art’. Volunteers, whom we trained, became our torchbearers, delivering these lessons to local classrooms, especially in heartland schools.

Art Outreach was commissioned by the Public Art Trust to develop and run tours of the sculptures commissioned for Singapore’s Jubilee year in 2015. Here, students from Admiralty Primary School are engaged with the artwork ‘24 Hours in Singapore’ by Baet Yeok Kuan, January 2016. Image courtesy of Art Outreach Singapore.

With time, the necessity to support other facets of the arts became evident. Our first major transition was steered by the realisation that contemporary art, despite its richness, was often seen as enigmatic, even inaccessible. We rose to this challenge, extending our purview beyond classrooms to public programmes, discussions, and tours. The aim was clear: making contemporary art relatable, turning public spaces into canvases of learning, and broadening the artistic perspectives of local audiences.

“The aim was clear: making contemporary art relatable, turning public spaces into canvases of learning, and broadening the artistic perspectives of local audiences.”

6th IMPART Art Prize awards ceremony in February 2023. Prize recipients (from left): Jon Chan, John Tung. Kent Chan is not pictured. Photo by Colin Wan. Image courtesy of Art Outreach Singapore.

As the local school scene evolved, featuring an enriched arts curriculum and an influx of specialised art educators, it provided Art Outreach an impetus to recalibrate. The contemporary arts community, especially emerging practitioners, beckoned us. In response, 2017 saw the introduction of the IMPART Art Prize. While the prize money acted as a catalyst, our primary objective was holistic support – encompassing professional growth and long-term development. The IMPART Art Prize's philosophy resonated deeply with our core: it wasn't just about identifying talent, but also championing it, creating ripples of awareness for Singaporean art and its practitioners.

Art Encounters, a mobile art studio and gallery programme that featured repurposed shipping containers ran from January 2020 till January 2023. ‘Till the Last Blossom’ by Ashley Yeo was presented from September to October 2022, at the main entrance of Plaza Singapura. Photo by Colin Wan. Image courtesy of Art Outreach Singapore.

Moving further, our endeavours took a tangible form. We understood that while art exhibitions narrated a story, a deeper dive into the artist's world – their thoughts, methodologies, and the actual process of creation – offered invaluable insights. This conviction laid the foundation for 'Art Encounters' in 2020. Three repurposed shipping containers became dynamic art hubs, constantly relocating across Singapore to offer fresh backdrops. Each site hosted an artist who crafted and exhibited their artworks within the containers, while the public observed, interacted, and learned. This raw, unfiltered peek behind the curtain bridged gaps, fostering a deeper connection between artists and art aficionados.

‘along the lines of–’, a solo exhibition by Berny Tan, curated by Kirti Upadhyaya that ran from 12 to 20 August 2023. The show was a part of the 5th edition of HEARTH, Art Outreach’s free art space programme. Image courtesy of Art Outreach Singapore.

In parallel, 2020 heralded another flagship initiative, HEARTH. By providing free space and resources, we extended a supportive hand to local artists, empowering them to actualise their artistic dreams. Furthermore, this initiative fostered collaboration and public engagement as artists were given the opportunity to conduct workshops and showcase their creations.

An interactive talk by Ken Tan, Director of Lehmann Maupin (Southeast Asia), was the first presentation in Art Outreach’s newly launched Professional Development series in June 2023. Image courtesy of Art Outreach Singapore.

Group photo of participants attending the Professional Development Talk, ‘Do the Hustle’ by Chow & Lin, July 2023. Image courtesy of Art Outreach Singapore.

Yet, in our expansive journey, one truth became evident: while nurturing artists is a noble cause, the ecosystem's lifeblood is the ensemble – including the arts leaders, professionals, and even the audience. Recognising the dual challenge of sustainability and succession, we ventured into mentoring, offering career guidance, and internships. Our foray into Professional Development Workshops this year was an affirmation of this belief. By offering a blend of career-centric discussions and skill-based sessions, we aimed to support and sculpt the future vanguards of our arts ecosystem.

“While nurturing artists is a noble cause, the ecosystem’s lifeblood is the ensemble – including the arts leaders, professionals, and even the audience.”

Our evolution has also seen us stepping into an advisory role, collaborating with organisations, be it public agencies or private institutions. From curating art talks and developing art tours to commissioning projects and running events, we have appreciated the opportunity to partner with diverse stakeholders in the shared ambition to elevate the appreciation and understanding of art within Singapore. These collaborations not only amplify our reach but also infuse a variety of perspectives and expertise into our initiatives.

From our embryonic phase, focused on classrooms in 2003, to the multifaceted, adaptive entity of today, our journey has been exhilarating. For a modest charity, our strides may seem audacious – constantly reimagining and tweaking our modus operandi. But this has been our essence, our DNA – to pivot, adapt, and serve our community's needs most effectively.

Eve Tan, Art Outreach’s Director (Programmes and Partnerships), conducting docent training for a tour of the Singapore Management University (SMU) art collection, December 2020. Art Outreach was commissioned to develop both a walking tour and an audi — Eve Hoon, Art Outreach’s Director (Programmes and Partnerships), conducting docent training for a tour of the Singapore Management University (SMU) art collection, December 2020. Art Outreach was commissioned to develop both a walking tour and an audio tour of the artworks. Image courtesy of Art Outreach Singapore.

Traversing the intricate landscape of art philanthropy has not been for the faint of heart. While domains such as education, healthcare, and social services often enjoy robust support, the arts – especially charities like ours – confront a more precarious backing. This stark contrast only heightened the challenges of our climb. Endeavouring to marshal resources for our daily operations while concurrently building an endowment has indeed tested our mettle. Yet, our unwavering mission has been clear: to cultivate a sturdy foundation for Art Outreach, allowing us to envision and enact strategies unfettered by resource limitations. This demanding path has not only highlighted the steadfast commitment and passion at the heart of our organisation but has also honed a tenacity and resilience that now define our ethos in championing the arts in Singapore.

As we stand at this 20-year juncture, we reminisce about our past, but our vision is unwaveringly set on the future. The arts landscape is ever-changing, and Art Outreach Singapore commits to continually adapting and championing its cause. Here's to a future characterised by innovation, resilience, and an unwavering passion for the arts.

Read all My Own Words essays here.