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1)State your stand: yes or no (answer the Qn directly first)

2)State your (reason) Point #1– Example, Explain, Elaborate, Link

3)State your (reason) Point #2– Example, Explain, Elaborate, Link

4)Provide alternative POV: However, others may argue that…(PEEEL)

5)Next, talk about your own Personal experience (current or past) using 5W1H, talk about what happened after the experience. Did it change your outlook or perspective on the issue or theme? Did it make you change something about yourself?

6)Restate your point: Therefore, I agree / disagree that...and end off with personal reflection, predictions for future etc

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Yes, i think my parents will share the same views as me.

Being someone who rarely comes across and is not appealed by performing arts, I do not appreciate it as much as others. Growing up, my parents tend to sign me up for sports-related and educational tuitions as they found it more important and useful in helping me to find a career in the future as compared to performing courses like ballet or piano. Therefore, i am not as well-versed or in touch with arts or performances. Besides, the mentality of being a street artist or performer is usually deemed as someone who is poor or uneducated in the older generations. Therefore, being a street artist or performer is believed to earn unstable incomes and unable to support themselves or their family. Hence, i feel that my parents would share the same views as me.

However, some of my classmates may not share my views. I have heard from them that the performing arts industry was getting popular amongst our generation. Although the past where most families would look down at the performing arts industry, some parents nowadays do not have that mentality and are rather open to their children aiming for their interest. This change in opinion of performing arts has allowed students to be more daring, attend to performing arts CCAs and pursue the performing art industry. Hence, I think that my classmates might not share my views.

Generally , I do understand where my friends are coming from. They are considering this field to be a successful one. Looking at famous celebrities, many of them are well paid. However, with my parents continuous repetition about being easily replaced in the arts industry ingrained in me, I also share similar views as my parents. My parents and i both agree that in order to succeed in the arts industry,  a perfect body, image and reputation is required. However, this is extremely difficult to attain. For example, Gigi Hadid, the rich model had to starve herself for three days before the Victoria secret runway with just surviving on just a apple a day. In the arts industry we are forced to forgo our health in the process of succeeding. Therefore, after comparing both views, I would still agree with my parents.

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1)State your stand: yes or no (answer the Qn directly first)

2)State your (reason) Point #1– Example, Explain, Elaborate, Link *

3)State your (reason) Point #2– Example, Explain, Elaborate, Link *

4)Provide alternative POV: However, others may argue that…(PEEEL)

5)*Always include your own Personal experience (current or past) using 5W1H, talk about what happened after the experience. Did it change your outlook or perspective on the issue or theme? Did it make you change something about yourself?

6)Global outlook: Link to what is happening in the current society, nation, global news and trends e.g. COVID-19...

7)Restate your point: Therefore, I agree / disagree that...and end off with personal reflection, predictions for future etc

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No , it does not
Firstly being a street performer have a negative connotation to it. Firstly in western countries street performers are seen as beggars or drug addicts who have to resort to performing on the streets to fund their habits. This is echoed in popular media and western movies where people in shabby clothing would play an instrument on the street. Therefore because of the negetive  perception of street artist by society i would not be insterest in it

Secondly basking contradicts the culture or the idea of success in singapore. being an asian society our parents always emphasise the importance of success and would always stress on the 3 big Cs Career,Cash and Car. This materialist outlook towards ones worth and success opposes the idea of basking. For example, on friday the video ms maizura showed shows young basker facing the stigma of being a beggar. Therefore being a basker does not appeal to me as it really opposes the ide of success in sg

However, I do understand that some may find street performing or busking particularly interesting due to the freedom it permits. Buskers can set their own hours and perform at their own pace, without being tied to any bosses and employers. The autonomy and full creative freedom is something that can be very appealing to some in Singapore, which I feel is more academically focused. Furthermore, busking can provide a thrill like no other. Every day of busking has the potential for a new and unique experience. The nature of busking is such that the audience is a little more than a few meters away, which can lead to more engaging, satisfactory and fulfilling performances. For many street performers, the joy of the performance itself and the full freedom of your own salary is enough to keep them coming back to perform again
A vivid experience was when I attended a performance by a street performer in Ang Mo Kio. The lighthearted tunes and songs intrigued me and hence I strolled over to take a look. I saw a guy with a walnut coloured guitar where had a microphone stand. Mostly, he was singing mandopop songs with a soothing and a passionate voice. I looked into his guitar bag where donations are made and saw a few $2 notes lying about in the bag. This made it look like he is very poor or he is a beggar

Firstly, I am not enticed to be a street performer. In the western countries baskers are usually beggars or drug addicts who restored to performing in order to make end meets or fund their drug habits. This culminated in baskers having a negative connotation as beggars and drug addicts. For example, sometimes when I walk along orchid Road I'll see some baskers and sometimes mothers would tell their child to study harder so

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Firstly, our (who is 'our' referring to?)take on making a living as a street artist is that it is not a liable way to make ends meet. (P) The wage of a street performer is dependent the size of their audience. The more crowd they are able to bring in means that The bigger the crowd the higher the chances of earning a greater income (E) is higher. For example, whenever i go to places in singapore with a high human density, such as Orchard road or Chinatown, i see many street buskers performing for huge crowds. Whereas street buskers in In places in the heartlands such as outside Ang Mo Kio hub or Junction 8,  places with a low human density, do not have the crowds as large as those of orchard road and chinatown, sometimes even having buskers can only gain tips from a small or no audience at all. (E)

In addition, street performers not only have to makesure that they are performing in a highly populated area to attract a large audiences, but also have to ensure that their performance has the wow factor, so as to receive a higher tip. (P) Statistics show that the more impressive a performance is, audience will be extremely satisfied, thus leaving a higher tip. (E) For instance, a fire breathing performance is a risky thing to do as you may sustain fire related injuries. But being able to pull it off would be highly impressive as not many people can do it, hence leaving the audience more impressed and inclined to give satisfied and giving a better tip, than as compared to singing or playing a music instrument which may not seem as unique. (E)

Plus, unforeseeable factors such as the weather conditions and pandemic play a part in bringing in the income for street performers. Such as During the covid 19 pandemic, where performers are not able to be out and about performing for a living, causing them to have no source of income and turn to other bread-making methods. Conversely, the sky may start pouring randomly or the heat from the sun is overbearing, forcing the street performers to pack up and stop performing for their wage. Therefore, the income of a street performer is always varying and not stable. “Work was intended not to give a man a reason to live, but rather to give him a means to live.” Without a source of secure income, survival is not definite. Hence, my parents and i would rather opt for a job that provides us with a stable income, such as office related jobs, in order to lead a life that is more fulfilling.

Secondly, my parents would be worried that I could not provide for myself well. The equipment needed for busking can be around $1200 as musical instruments like a guitar cost a hefty sum of money. An average day of busking can bring in about $50 during the weekends, but that can easily go up to between $100 and $150. Even on a good week, street performers can earn up to $550 and that is only a fraction of the equipment cost. We also have to include living expenses such as food, transportation, clothes and more. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit Worldwide Cost of Living 2021 report, Singapore stands second on the list of the costliest cities in the world. Furthermore, Singapore is the most expensive city in Asia. Not only is expensive to live in Singapore, street performers also have to consider retirement savings and compared to adults having job salaries around $5000 per month, street performers are at a disadvantage as on average, they are earning up to $2000 per month. On the other spectrum, not only money is a concern but also the amount of time spent into busking is well over any corporate jobs. Before being able to busk in Singapore, street performers have to apply for a busking license. Not only does it take a while for the National Arts Council (NAC) to acknowledge, but also buskers have to attend a workshop and pass an audition first. On the NAC website, it states that “Buskers in Singapore are required to attend an audition to ensure consistency in the quality of busking activities” hence the need of an audition. Hence, time and money are spent in busking and the reward from it may be underwhelming.

However, some may argue that people are able to make a living as a street artist. Some performers’ parents could already be in the entertainment industry, and had earned a good reputation which thus being reputable, it gives them a leverage in the street performance industry, and earn a higher income than the average street performers. Like a wise person once quote said, ’Money means nothing without having passion, purpose and dedication behind it’ Means that their passion in street arts will be able to make a living as they have a motivation to always going no matter how rough this path may be for them. It is a very extraordinary and unique life craft / career that one must commit to that few are fortunate enough to experience and when the commitment is there, they will figure out the rest to their art and their goal, nothing will stand in their way. They  and they would persevere. Which as a full-time artist, they know where the income is coming from allowing them to make a living.

To end off with a quote, “Before civilization, artists painted for the living. Today, most paint for a living.” This tells us that making a living for survival is our ultimate goal in this day and age of the ever-growing economy, filled with may ups and downs. In conclusion, my parents and i share the same views on making a living as a street performer,

generally developed and uses a range of vocab organisation could be better;

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1)State your Parents’ stand: yes or no. Include your (reason) Point #1– Example, Explain, Elaborate, Link. *

2)State your Friends’ stand: yes or no. Include your (reason) Point #2– Example, Explain, Elaborate, Link *

*Include your own Personal experience (current or past) using 5W1H whenever possible

3) Next, talk about the general consensus: Would parents or teenagers generally share the same views? Give reasons (P) + EEEL **Link to what is happening in the recent news!

4) Restate your point: Therefore, my parents / friends… agree / disagree that...and end off with personal reflection, predictions for future etc

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i think that the people in my country are not interested in art activities.
Firstly,  jobs in the art industry do not pay well, and this would not attract people who are actually interested in art, as they know that they may not be able to feed their family or make ends meet if they choose to pursue something in the art industry.
from on a study in 2022 based on fresh poly graduates, those who had a diploma in arts, design and media had a much lower starting pay than that of those who graduated with business or engineering diplomas. this lower pay steers people away from taking art diplomas as may they feel that the time and effort to get the diploma may not be worth the compensation at the end
Secondly, art may seem “boring, or uninteresting” to students as they dont have much exposure to the subject as soon as they turn secondary 3 and choose other electives to take for their o level.

However, people may argue and say art is actually getting more and more appreciated in singapore, as more people are attending art museums and exhibitions to check out works of art whenever they are free.
Personally, the last time our school brought us along to the art museum, i was not impressed and felt bored during the trip there, and many other of my friends agreed with me, as the works of art were not those that we could relate to. therefore i think that people in my country are not interested in art

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Making a living as a street artist or street performer does not appeal to me .

Firstly , Street performers and artists often face unpredictable income and financial instability.  They may end up being strapped for cash . Personally , I find it as an unreliable form of income . An annual salary of as low as 10,000 for street performers was recorded. As of May 3, 2023, the average annual pay for a Street Performer in Las Vegas was $38,227 a year. Not to mention , the covid-19 pandemic sent shock waves through the world economy and triggered the largest global economic crisis . Undoubtedly , the pandemic brought about many health risks and lesser people went out into the public . Additionally, adverse weather conditions, such as rain or extreme heat, can significantly impact the number of people on the streets and their willingness to stop and watch performances. Hence , an inconsistent crowd of people in the public would definitely affect the salaries of street performers and artists negatively.

Secondly , street performers often work long hours standing or performing physically demanding routines, which can take a toll on their health over time. Whether it is dancing , juggling, or playing a musical instrument, these performances may demand a high level of physical exertion. Furthermore , street artists and performers typically spend long hours standing or moving around while they perform. This constant physical activity can be tiring and put a strain on the body, causing their health to deteriorate over a period of time . Not to mention , the extreme weather conditions could potentially make their work physically uncomfortable and dangerous as it challenges their physical endurance and well-being .

Thirdly , street performers or street artists often lack benefits . Such as , employer-provided benefits . Since street performers or street artists are typically independent contractors or self-employed , they may not have access to health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, or sick leave. As such , obtaining these benefits like health insurance can be a challenge for street performers and artists, especially if they do not qualify for government-sponsored healthcare programs or if they have pre-existing conditions that make it difficult for them to secure affordable coverage. They may have to bear the cost of health insurance on their own, which can be a financial burden. In the event that you are sick , you would have to cover the medical costs by yourself , additionally , you would not be earning any salary as you are unable to perform . Thus , they do not have the luxury to take a day off to unwind or recover as they may eventually end up in need for cash . These lack of benefits makes it unappealing to become a street artist or performer as it makes life much more challenging . Certain street performers or artists may even come to a dilemma , whether they should priorities their health or work .

However, I can understand why some individuals may be inclined to pursue a living as a street artist.

Art is a popular and powerful avenue for people’s self-expression, which can convey anything from personal feelings to socio-political commentary. They are able to pursue their talents and interests , allowing their pieces to speak to a wider audience as well . Those who are born with a natural flair for their specific areas of interests , are able to  to showcase their gift through various forms , while profiting from it at the same time . Thus , it can definitely offer a more satisfying and fulfilling experience for street artists and performers , as well as their audience .

Although , it can be difficult for street artists or street performers to make a name for themselves and stand out amongst their competition .

Overall , making a living as a street artist or street performer certainly does not appeal to me as it does not provide income stability and it is physically demanding in many aspects

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I would say that the people in Singapore are not interested in art activities because most people believe that it is not possible to get a stable job. This is due to majority of the population thinking that artists' earn money by only performing and busking which does not give them a stable form of income. However, other jobs such as being an engineer or a doctor have better pay and a more stable form of income. Therefore, parents would advice their children to not choose a career in the arts which causes people to not be interested in art activies.

I also would say that people in Singapore are not interested in art activities because parents would often make their children believe that there is only 1 route to success. This route is to study and get a degree or diploma and start working. Since the younger generation have already set their mind on this path, they only see the arts as a hobby and that the arts have no possibilty of making them successful. Therefore, most people are not interested.

However, some would disagree and say that people in Singapore are interested in art activities because of the advancement in technology and social media. Social media allow artists to be able to share their work online for the whole world to see. This makes the chances of becoming famous or gaining a fan base more likely. This encourages more young people to take interest in the arts since they can easily gain fame.

Personally, I feel that Singaporeans in the past were less interested in the arts because of their more conservative thinking. Due to this, I had my mind set on getting a regular 9 to 5 office job and letting the arts to be just a hobby to me. However, nowadays more young people are being more daring. Even though the arts scene in Singapore is still relatively small, it has started to grow quite abit in recent times. For example, the recent creation of University of the Arts Singapore shows that Singapore is taking interest in making institutions that are able provide Singaporeans with an education in the arts and creating more artists in Singapore. This has made me intersted in taking up a job related to the arts in the future. Afterall, isn't it a dream come true to be doing your hobby as your job ?

Globally, artists are still relevant and are definitely not jobless. What would life be without the arts right ? It is a part of many people's life. Wether it be listening to music on the way to school or liking an art post on Instagram. Many people across the globe are also gaining fame from social media platforms like Tik Tok which shows that the arts are still taken into interest by people all across the world.

Despite of efforts being put into getting people to be more interested in the arts, I still feel that people in Singapore are still not interested in the arts as of now. However, I am sure that this will change in the future as more young people are more willing to take risks and break away from the crowd.

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No, making a living as a street artist or street performer does not appeal to me.

Firstly, street performers are less likely to ensure stable income due to factors such as audience engagement. Audience engagement is a key requisite for street performances of which they rely heavily on. Street performers that choose to perform using more interactive segments with their audience are more likely to harness more attention due to their uniqueness. Street performers who employ such approaches often make themselves stand out from their competitors. For example, a street musician who simply plays their instrument without engaging the audience is less likely to receive tips than one who asks for song requests or makes jokes. Engaging with the audience creates relationships and fosters a community. Audiences become invested in the performers because of this, creating loyal fans who provide a guaranteed income for performers. A memorable impression increases the likelihood of the audience returning for more captivating performances that await them. All in all, street performers have to get creative and think outside the box to ensure optimal attention is garnered. This prevents financial problems and ensure a stable income.

Secondly, the type of art showcased by street artists or performers is another significant factor. Artists' income potential can be gravely affected by the type of art they showcase. Art that is relatable to the audience and looks visually appealing has a higher chance of earning money. The manner in which the art is presented is just as significant as the art itself. Street artists and performers must develop a method of showcasing their art that appeals to their audience to maximize their earning potential. For example, a street artist that creates small, intricate trinkets or artwork on a small canvas may appeal to a wider audience such as tourists. Tourists have a propensity to buy these types of artwork as souvenirs. Artists who create such artwork benefit, especially during the holiday season. A street artist who sells substantial art murals has a lower likelihood of selling their work as it tends to be pricier. Thus, the public's attention gravitates towards other attractions, making artists have a challenging time earning a living from such a venture. Thus, to maximize success, street artists must know their target audience and adjust their artworks accordingly to maximize income.

However, some may argue that making a living as a street artist appeals to them. Street performing serves as a way for people who are passionate about performing to showcase their talents to fellow members of the public. When they see that the audience are enjoying their performance, it ensues a sense of joy in the performer as they feel that their passion and hard work are being spread around and appreciated by others. This not only benefits the performer by gaining invaluable experiences by putting themselves out into the public, but also the audience who can enjoy the performances of street artists or performers as a form of relaxation. This mutual exchange of happiness and joy is what makes street art and performances so special. Thus, it can bring people with similar interests together and connect the artist and their audience.

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I do not think people in our country are interested in art activities such as visiting a museum or watching a play.

Firstly, Most Singaporeans likely do not have the time to visit a museum or to watch a play. According to several researches, Singapore is ranked as one of the most overworked country in the Asia-Pacific region. On average, Singaporean workers work 45 hours per week and take a measles seven days of annual leave. This leaves them very little free time and they most likely don’t have the interest in art activities.
Secondly,  Singapore categorised as a modernised country, we are often updated with the newest gadgets, which leads to people being engrossed in them and unlikely to be interested in plays and museums, with people engaging with gadgets more frequently, attention spans of several people are shortened greatly This can proven by a study which states that the constant use of technology has shortened our attention span from 12 minutes to 5 minutes. Constant news feeds and videos that are 10 minutes or less has rewired our brains. This implies that with the increasing use of smartphones could possibly deter people from having interest in plays and museums as they are stereotyped to be long-winded and dull and listed as the few activities that one would not pursue in their free time.

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No, making a living as a street artist or street performer does not appeal to me.

Firstly, the stream of income as a street artist is not stable, as street artists usually rely on the generosity of passers-by to earn a living. The income made can be unpredictable and differs from day to day, depending on the size of the crowd. Global pandemic has also contributed in buskers losing their job temporarily, causing them to not be financially stable. For example, during Covid-19, busking basically disappeared as no one was allowed to busk in public anymore with measures placed. Being able to busk also depends on the weather. If it is raining, street artists would not be able to busk and no one would come to watch them. They would then not be able to earn an income for that day.
As being a street artist lack financially security, living as a street artist does not appeal to me.

However, some people may argue that living as a street artist or street performer does appeal to them as it allows them to pursue their passions. Being a street artist or performer not only allows you to pursue your passion, but also allows you to share the joy of it with others. For example, a fellow street painter may stir up some dazzling artworks, and passerby's who come to admire the art may be check meaning: appalled or even inspired to try painting themselves. Being a street artist or performer also helps to make the streets more lively, as there is some way to bring it injects a sense of energy into a street that is usually dry quiet and dull. Although being a street busker may have its benefits, it also has downsides, and these downsides are the reason why being a busker still does not appeal to me.

On top of this, street performers are given a bad reputation, being and are portrayed as seen as on par to the beggars on the street.  This could be due to social stigma or perceptions as both begging and busking involve the solicitation of donations in public space. It must feel depressing to be degraded and to be seen as a beggar when all the performers are do are trying to express themselves through the stunts they are doing or the music they are playing. When I was walking around the Orchard stretch, I saw a kid and his mother watching a street performer do his light show and while the kid seemed impressed, the mother had a look of disdain on her face, as if she could not wait to drag her child away from the performance. When the performance finally ended, she took her kid by the hand and dragged him away while saying “it’s good to enjoy these performances but don’t even think about becoming like them. I bet they didn’t study much and now have to resort to begging.” After witnessing something like that, I don’t think my skin is thick enough to be a street performer even if I had interest in doing so.

Thoughtful response which is generally well-devp and organised. Uses a range of vocab but not always accurate

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The Big Read in short: Making a living out of the arts

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The Big Read in short: Making a living out of the arts

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The profit is just enough for Ms Ummu to invest in the materials that she needs for her next batch of pottery. She maintains that as long as she works hard enough, and if she manages her money well, she will eventually be able to focus fully on her ceramic art career.

Industry experts and veterans whom TODAY spoke to said that while it remains very difficult for young Singaporeans to pursue artistic careers full-time, the arts scene has improved over the last decade, with more opportunities for artists to sustain themselves financially.

Government efforts to increase public participation in the arts, the advent of technology and a more supportive public attitude have also contributed towards a better working environment for Singaporean artists.

In October last year, Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth, announced the launch of Our SG Arts Plan, which laid out the focus areas for Singapore's literary, performing and visual arts sectors from 2018 to 2022.

Ms Fu said the plan would allow the Government to provide better support for arts professionals and make the arts more accessible to all.

The Our SG Arts Plan builds on the Arts and Culture Strategic Review released in 2012, which detailed the arts and cultural landscape for Singapore until 2025. The plan aimed to develop "a nation of cultured and gracious people, at home with our heritage, proud of our Singaporean identity".

Since the launch of the review, the National Arts Council (NAC) recorded a high of nearly 6,000 non-ticketed performing arts activities in 2016, a five-year record attendance of over 9.2 million at these activities, and more than 5.1 million visitors to museums and heritage institutions. The NAC said that S$300 million was pumped into the culture sector between 2012 and 2017.

BUILDING AN ARTS NATION

Apart from these two road maps for the arts scene, the Government has also introduced several initiatives over the last decade to raise the profile of the arts in Singapore, such as launching the School of the Arts (Sota) in 2008.

As the first pre-tertiary arts school in Singapore, Sota's programme allows students to take one arts subject, in addition to the usual academic subjects taught in mainstream schools.

At the end of their six years, students graduate with an International Baccalaureate diploma.

However, it was reported in May 2017 that only three in 10 Sota graduating students went on to pursue arts-related university courses. An article from The Straits Times raised questions about the effectiveness of Sota's programmes in preparing students for a career in the arts.

At that time, Ms Lim Geok Cheng, Sota's principal then, commented on the lack of graduates going into arts-related courses by noting that its students continued to remain involved in the arts, regardless of the courses they chose.

While Sota's latest enrolment figures are not available, the school's student population had grown from just under 1,000 in 2012 to 1,120 in 2016.

The steady increase in Sota's enrolment over the last few years shows that while the jury is still out on the success of its programmes, there is still a demand for an arts-oriented education programme in Singapore.

Several Sota graduates told TODAY that the school's curriculum had broadened their minds.

For performer and music composer Amni Musfirah, 24, Sota had helped her to develop "a good sense of who I want to be, what I want to do and what do I want to achieve".

"Many people outside of Sota thought we couldn't succeed because we were just doing 'arts' and had 'no brains'. Sota taught me the importance to believe in ourselves and trust that our skills will pay off," said Ms Musfirah, who was part of the school's pioneer batch of graduates in 2012.

Mr Pavethren Kanagarethinam, 21, who graduated from Sota in 2016, said that its broad educational framework allowed him to consider non-arts related careers, such as those in the sciences and humanities. However, he decided to remain in the arts sector following his graduation, because his percussion-playing skills had improved under the tutelage of his Sota music instructor and he remained passionate about music. He has since applied for several music production-related university courses to continue a career in music.

Outside of the education sector, the Government has also made efforts to increase Singaporeans' participation in arts events - with mixed results.

The 2017 Singapore Cultural Statistics Report showed that the number of tickets sold for performing arts events dipped from 1,562,404 in 2015 to 1,398,857 the next year. In 2016, 2,809,708 people attended a non-ticketed art performance, a jump of about 27,770 people from the previous year. The number of visitors to national museums and heritage institutes also increased by nearly 1,370,000 between 2015 and 2016.

At the same time, the NAC recorded an overall drop in Singaporeans' engagement in the arts within the same period. In its latest Population Survey on the Arts released in 2017, the NAC recorded a 24 per cent drop in arts attendance from 2015 to 2017. Participation in the arts also dropped from 28 per cent in 2015 to 22 per cent in 2017.

Despite the mixed results in improving Singaporeans' participation in the arts, the Government has continued to be generous in its funding. The 2017 Cultural Statistics Report stated that an estimated S$412.8 million in funding was set aside the previous year for arts and heritage.

Donations to arts and heritage causes had more than doubled from S$29.7 million in 2013 to S$61.3 million in 2016.

THANKS FOR THE GRANTS BUT...

Many artists approached by TODAY acknowledged that the Singapore Government is a lot more generous than those in many other countries in the level of funding that it has set aside for the arts sector, and they are grateful for it.

Video artist Kray Chen, 31, the recipient of the NAC's Young Artist Award in 2017, said that he was a beneficiary of the council's funding. "There are only a handful of countries in the world that fund artists at an international level. We are very lucky to have a well-funded system. While we could lose out on freedom of expression, Singaporean artists have definitely gained on a practical level."

However, some artists have expressed concerns over the stringent criteria to qualify for NAC grants and the key performance indicators (KPIs) that they have to meet.

Mr Chen said that the administrative and bureaucratic process imposed on artists to account for huge amounts of funding could be a "daunting" task. "The artist has to wear so many hats. He has to hire an accountant or be his own accountant, his own marketer and his own administrator."

The NAC requires artists who receive funding between S$25,000 and S$100,000 to provide a certified statement of accounts by a registered accountant. Grants above S$100,000 must be independently audited by a registered public accountant.

Some artists also feel that the KPIs imposed by the NAC could run counter to their objectives. Those who receive certain NAC grants have to complete self-evaluation forms which ask for information such as the total number of people who have attended the art event and the total number of tickets sold.

Mr Chen said: "If you have to count the number of people who attended an event or write a report about what participants have learnt from the event to justify the impact of the artistic work, then that is a problem... Are we looking at a numbers game or are we actually assessing the art's social impact?"

For him, an art project is more successful if 10 people see it and understood it deeply, rather than having 100 people see it but do not understand the project.

In response to TODAY's queries, the NAC said that self-evaluation reports were to help artists take stock of what they have accomplished through the course of their project. Subsequent grant applications by artists would be assessed based on the strength of their project proposals.

Mr Kamil Haque, founder and artistic director of Haque Centre of Acting & Creativity, said that while arts grants in Singapore are much higher and more accessible to artists compared to the United States, the red tape that artists have to surmount to receive those grants make it "onerous" for them to even start off.

This makes it difficult for young artists to sustain their interest and pursue the arts full-time, said the 36-year-old, who had spent eight years in Los Angeles learning and teaching acting before returning to Singapore.

Recounting her own experience, Ms Ummu said that she had unsuccessfully applied for an NAC grant when she first started selling her ceramic pieces.

According to Ms Ummu, to qualify for the grant, the artist needed to have a background in art exhibitions, and to justify how his or her art would benefit Singapore.

As a fresh graduate from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa), Ms Ummu said that she was unable to meet the requirements, which seemed to favour more established artists. "They ask you for a lot even before you start," she said.

The NAC told TODAY that grant criteria are developed by the council to ensure that projects supported the aims of the grant.

Mr Kok Heng Leun, artistic director of Chinese-language theatre company Drama Box and former Nominated Member of Parliament, called for an overhaul in approach towards how the Government views arts funding. Referring to funding caps by NAC, Mr Kok said that grants are issued to artists with a "return of investment" thinking process, where they are expected to fund a certain percentage of their work in proportion to the grants that the NAC extends to them.

NAC grants are subject to funding caps. For instance, artists who apply for NAC's Participation and Presentation grant receive funds of only up to 50 per cent of the project's budget.

Mr Kok urged the Government to view the arts as a public good and increase the profile of the arts in national funding. "When you subsidise something because you view it as a public good, it is because you see it as important and good for every human being... We need to change the mindset that art is just to beautify our surroundings. Art is the thing that gives you sanity and comfort. Art is what gives you imagination and creativity. So it is a necessity."

SHIFTS IN TECHNOLOGY, ATTITUDES

Despite these concerns, industry players acknowledged that broader changes in society have created more opportunities for young artists to pursue their careers.

Major technological changes in the past 10 years have opened up a multitude of platforms for artists to showcase their works.

For actress Oon Shu An, 32, the Internet has allowed her to reach out to a global audience, with even foreigners recognising her when she travels overseas.

"Now I can speak for myself and have a direct channel with people who want to follow me," said Ms Oon, who is the host of webshow series Tried and Tested. "It lets me reach a larger audience."

Like Ms Oon, Ms Ummu has been able to expand her market overseas through social media. While Singaporeans come to know of her ceramics work through art markets here, Ms Ummu's Instagram page allows her to connect with overseas buyers as far as the United States.

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The Big Read: For artistic millennials, making a living out of the arts is a craft in itself

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The profit is just enough for Ms Ummu to invest in the materials that she needs for her next batch of pottery. She maintains that as long as she works hard enough, and if she manages her money well, she will eventually be able to focus fully on her ceramic art career.

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I would say that people in our country are not interested in art activities.

Firstly, Singaporeans spend a lot of their time working or studying and hence lead to less time for them to appreciate art activities. For example, according to a survey on mental health and wellness conducted by Rakuten Insight in Singapore in May 2022, 63 percent of the respondents aged between 16 and 24 years indicated that they had a higher level of stress or anxiety in the past 12 months. This suggests that a lot of people in Singapore have a lot of stress piled up inside them which leads to no time for them to find a hobby like appreciating arts. Even with time on their hands, Singaporeans tend to use their leisure time exercising, sleeping or even touching up on their workload.

Secondly, Singapore’s education system places a strong emphasis on mathematics and sciences rather than the arts causing the lack of interest and passion in the young generation.  Since the education system does not focus on arts, this leads to the lack of exposure towards arts, youngsters are unable to develop interests in the arts. For example, in Singapore only 2 hours is dedicated to music lessons and art lessons per week in lower secondary unlike the 7 hours in Mathematics or Science. Even when students have a strong calling towards arts, generations in our society have been taught that we need to work hard to get good grades on the core subjects like languages, mathematics and science. Those who are more creative by nature would somewhat conform to the science-maths based education system.Hence Singaporeans do not have a strong interest and passion towards arts.

However, some people would argue that the people in my country are interested in art activities. Singapore has a lot of vibrant arts and culture scenes as there are many museums, galleries and performing arts venues attracting large crowds. For example, The National Gallery Singapore is a popular destination for locals and tourists to hangout with their friends and allow hosts to host many exhibitions. In these places there are always a lot of people around and crowds crowding for the beautiful scene in the venue. A 2017 Singapore Cultural Statistics Report showed that the number of visitors to national museums and heritage institutes increased by nearly 1,370,000 between 2015 and 2016. This rise in the number of Singaporeans going to these venues shows that there is an increasing support and interest in art activities.

Now in the 21st century, these aren’t many Singaporeans who work as artist of any kind. Most Singaporeans work in the computing or engineering field. This can be supported by the number of students who chose to study those fields in the various polytechnics or universities. This proves that not a lot of Singaporeans are interested in the arts industry. And Singaporeans who does work in the arts industries also seem to be struggling apart from a selected few who are successful.

Therefore, Singaporeans are mostly not interested in the arts. As someone who comes from a very small country, we are blessed with good education, however that education is directed to the maths and sciences and those from other countries will only recognise degrees in the various science field and not arts. Hence it is hard to become successful as an artist in Singapore.

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Being a street performer does not appeal to me. My parents share the same view and would not be supportive of me making a living as a street performer.

Many Singaporean parents, in general, still have the very traditional mindset for their children to have a corporate job instead of having a career such as street performing.  They do not view street performing as a real job and would think that it does not have a fixed salary and is very unstable and insecure. We saw how street performers have to stop their performance during the circuit breaker time, when busking was disallowed as public gathering is prohibited to prevent the spread of diseases. Because of that, it has led to street performers being jobless and having to find other jobs to support their income.

However, some of my friends, especially those in performing arts CCA, do not agree with me. They see street performing as their freedom of expression.
Although unstable in monetary gains, street performing is a great way to gain valuable stage experience; and is also the only way to conquer stage fright. Where else would a artist/perform get such practical first-hand experience? Direct interacting and dealing with audience criticism are good training grounds to enhance our crisis management skills. This street performing experience would definitely boost their self confidence in their future performances.

The general consensus is that the majority would not be supportive of their children making a living as a street performer. To the parents, being a street performer is deemed as a 'beggar' job, whereby they perform on the street and depend on donations to support their living. Because of such low job status, many people would not want to associate with street performers to keep their own image proper. However, in a minority now, more people are enjoying street performances because of the vibrant energy exuberated while performing and spreading the love of music to the audience. We now frequently see people flocking the streets at Orchard road or nearby shopping malls to watch such performances. Many people on social media commented that some of these street performances are of professional standards, as good as or even better than popular artists online.

Hence, my parents and friends have mixed perspectives of making a living as a street performer.
Personally, I would not be keen on street performing as a living, but I do enjoy watching street performances.
In addition, I do hope the public can be more open and appreciative of street performers. It takes years of training and the nerve of steel to be able to stand in front of a crowd and perform on stage. Even for me, being in the band for 8 years, performing on stage has never been easy. Especially performing alone is still daunting and nerve wrecking. So, I wish the public could be more understanding and appreciative of such careers.

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incase we forget to upload to padlet:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YZEhtIzqobApzgImWxNk8SM2tGcEp5f-TJj2_eCp5ls/edit?usp=sharing

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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“Are you a beggar?” The lives of Singapore’s young buskers | CNA Lifestyle

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My parents share my views.
A career in performing arts is often thought of by the older generation as not earning enough money to make a living. Parents often think street performers lack education and respectability. It is common for parents to view street performers as beggars. In their minds, performing arts is more of a hobby than a profession. As my parents may think street performing and arts in general are a waste of time, I am sure we can both agree that street performing doesn't appeal to either of us.

My friends do not share my views. Coming from a sports CCA, I have never been interested in the arts. All of my friends, however, are involved in performing arts CCAs. They can all agree that the arts hold a great deal of meaning for them, regardless of whether they are in choir, drama, band, or dance. They perform their various arts as a hobby. Thus, I think living as a street performer appeals to them.

I have attended school performances by performing arts CCAs in the past to support my friends who were all performing. Generally, I am not interested in the arts, but that performance opened my eyes and helped me see them differently. In spite of the fact that I still do not wish to make a living through street performances, I now understand why so many people are captivated by the arts.

Parents and teenagers do not share the same views. Nowadays, the arts have become more prominent, more widely accepted, and more widely encouraged in schools. However in the past the arts were seen more as a hobby that could not make money for a living. Parents encouraged their children to pursue more practical career paths like engineering, medicine, and law. This led to a generation of people who did not have the same appreciation for the arts. Thankfully, this has changed in recent years and the arts are now seen more as a viable and valuable profession.

Therefore, my parents disagree that living as a busker appeals to them while my friends agree that living as a busker appeals to them. My parents are more conservative, while my friends enjoy the freedom and unpredictability of a life on the road. I, however, am somewhere in the middle and believe that the best way to appreciate the arts is to find a balance between the two.