NAC grants S$16.34m in funding under two schemes for fiscal 2017

THE National Arts Council (NAC) on Friday said it would commit total funding of S$16.34 million for 48 new and existing major companies, and 15 seed grant companies, for fiscal 2017.

Amid budget cuts across the government, and growth in the number of deserving recipients over the years, the funding for some groups has fallen compared to previous years. The dip is less than 10 per cent, NAC said.

NAC said it has prioritised groups that are in the early stages of growth, traditional arts companies, as well as new entrants in the major company scheme.

"While it is crucial to support established arts groups that currently fill strategic gaps in the industry, it is equally important to support groups with diverse needs and are at different stages of development with this new grant framework, such as new entrants to the arts sector," NAC said.

NAC said 25 arts organisations will receive funding from NAC's major company and seed grant schemes for the 2017 funding cycle.

The major company scheme was fine-tuned in 2016 to have artistic groups "more focused in their artistic endeavours to reach new audiences, professionalise the sector and better streamline their capabilities", NAC said.

New recipients include traditional Malay arts performing company Sri Warisan, and Chinese-language theatre company Arts Theatre of Singapore.

Former seed grant recipients such as theatre company Pangdemonium and Chinese opera advocate Traditional Arts Centre have also advanced to the major company scheme in fiscal 2017.