Heritage properties set aside for experimental art space

IN A groundbreaking initiative, the National Arts Council (NAC) and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) have launched a joint price and quality (PQ) tender for five restored heritage properties at 52 to 56 Kampong Java Road. These properties are intended for multidisciplinary “arts sandbox” use, providing an experimental space for artist-led innovation and creation, in response to industry feedback from arts practitioners on the need for such spaces.

As an arts sandbox, the site aims to support emerging talent by offering a space to experiment, refine their craft and establish themself in the arts sector. This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to collaborate with the arts community to develop relevant arts spaces, reflecting the growing interest from arts companies and artists for a space unencumbered by performance indicators.

Tender proposals will be evaluated based on price (30 per cent) and quality (70 per cent), with a higher emphasis on quality to encourage compelling and high-quality submissions. Proposals should outline how the premises will be positioned as a vibrant arts sandbox and strategies to attract multidisciplinary artists.

The tender incorporates key feedback from the arts community, including the need for a master tenant to manage the space. This is the first time state properties are launched through a joint PQ tender on a tenure of five years with the possibility of an extension for another four years (5+4) for arts sandbox use, emphasising the value of the arts in enlivening spaces.

Interested parties, especially those with experience in managing arts spaces or in the arts sector, are invited to submit their proposals by Sep 18, 2024. The SLA and NAC aim to announce the master tenant and their plans by the fourth quarter of 2024.

The heritage properties at 52 to 56 Kampong Java Road consist of five units with a total gross floor area of approximately 996 sq m. They are located near Novena and Little India MRT stations, and are close to amenities such as United Square shopping mall and Pek Kio Market and Food Centre. SLA has completed restoration and renovation works, including interior upgrades and the addition of a new driveway and car park lots, in June 2024.

Prospective tenderers are expected to detail how the premises will be made accessible and affordable, including various pricing schemes for different arts occupants. The quality component will also consider business sustainability, maintenance plans to preserve the heritage value of the properties, and the incorporation of green initiatives.

On Saturday (Jul 20) evening, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong, was on site for a mock-up with artist shows. He said: “Artists have given us views that they’d like this to be ground-up and artist-managed, with a lot more free space for innovation, incubation, experimentation. So, we’re doing it differently... from the other NAC-managed art spaces. We want to allow artists a lot more free rein in terms of what they want to see here, and also to decide on things like who should come in and for how long, and to ensure that there’s a bit of fluidity and also freshness in this space.”

Five arts leaders whom The Business Times spoke with expressed concern that the deadline may be too tight to formulate a fully considered proposal for a concept that is hitherto untested in Singapore.

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One, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said: “For something like this to work for (the) 5+4 year tenure – which is lengthy – you need a longer lead time to consider all aspects of running such a space. It’s not just about getting together a group of artists who are interested in creating a collaborative arts space, it’s also about building maintenance, financial management, programming and space-making, compliance and reporting, as well as sustainability and heritage preservation. That’s a big ask.”

Zulkarnaen Othman, who is a visual artist, lecturer and founder of artist collective RSCLS, said: “The selection of the master tenant is the most critical aspect of this project. They have to be someone widely trusted by the industry; someone regarded as impartial when selecting artists to work with. Most of the good candidates I can think of already have their hands full with other projects... That said, art spaces have always been a huge challenge for artists because of the generally high rents of almost anywhere in Singapore, so this is a rare opportunity to solve some of the issues that have hampered us for so long.”

Andy Chia, musician and artistic director of performing arts group SAtheCollective, said: “I’m concerned with its distance from the two MRTs, because I’ve seen how other arts spaces such as Tanjong Pagar Distripark and Gillman Barracks struggle to attract footfall because they’re not immediately accessible via MRT. But it is a prime location close to Newton, Novena and Little India, so here’s hoping that it will attract a broad range of visitors and arts lovers.”