Gladya Ow, Channel NewsAsia 30 Sep 09;
SINGAPORE: Singaporeans feel that the government should pump more money into heritage and culture, than into sectors like tourism, IT and defence. Education topped the list, followed by investment in social welfare.
This is according to a recent survey carried out by the National University of Singapore and commissioned by the National Heritage Board.
More Singaporeans are visiting museums and participating in heritage-related activities. For example, the National Museum's Night Festival attracted 65,000 visitors this year over just one weekend. That was the same number as last year when the festival was held over two weekends.
A survey of 1,000 respondents aged 15 to 69 years old showed that three out of five respondents would rather visit museums in Singapore rather than overseas. 59.4 per cent disagreed with the statement "I would rather visit museums overseas than in Singapore."
Travelling exhibitions that go to the heartlands are a hit. 21.7 per cent of respondents visited them, a significant increase of 15.2 per cent from the 2002 survey.
They include the Kangxi emperor exhibition, which was brought from the Asian Civilisations Museum to the masses at libraries around the island.
Michael Koh, CEO, National Heritage Board, said: "We are trying to step up our programming and outreach events. We have stepped up for example our travelling exhibitions in the community. The heritage festival went out in a big way to the heartlands.
"We went to the heartland malls to really reach people where they live because we realise that we can do a great exhibition, but without the supporting programmes and activities, we won't have the crowds. So this is where we will have to move into this aspect in an even bigger way."
And to do that, a newly launched heritage bus will bring exhibitions about Singapore's different cultures to schools, regional libraries and elderly homes as well as community clubs, kindergartens and orphanages.
Called "Colours of Heritage", the bus is a joint project by NHB, the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, Media Development Council, National Arts Council, National Library Board and Info-Comm Development Authority of Singapore.
The exhibition on the bus is divided into three themes and one of them is games. Visitors can relive their childhood days by playing games such as five stones.
Local food, spices and cooking utensils will also be showcased. Visitors can also learn about the wedding ceremonies of Singapore's four major ethnic groups.
The mobile museum aims to reach out to 80,000 people over six months. - CNA/vm
