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Arts Housing Scheme

The Arts Housing Scheme (AHS) is a project under the National Arts Council (NAC). It was introduced in 1985 by the former Ministry of Community Development to support local artists and arts activities. Recognising that land is scarce and expensive in Singapore, the scheme was initiated to provide subsidised rental housing to arts groups, so that these arts groups would have a place of their own to practise and develop their art.

History
The Telok Ayer Performing Arts Centre, which opened in October 1985, was the first performing arts centre established under the AHS scheme. Since then, the AHS has housed arts groups in a variety of buildings from disused warehouses to old shophouses in central locations. The AHS developed in three separate phases over the years. Locations such as Telok Ayer Performing Arts Centre, The Substation and the LaSalle-SIA School of Music, Drama and Fine Arts were established in the early phase of the scheme. Under Phase II of the scheme, which began in 1992, old buildings in the Waterloo and Rochor areas which had been earmarked for conservation were identified as suitable sites for housing arts groups. The third phase began after 1996 and included more centrally located premises in Chinatown, Little India and the Singapore River. Today, the two main arts belts are in Waterloo Street and Chinatown, while the third, smaller arts belt is in Little India. To date, 66 arts organisations and 32 artists are housed in 19 buildings and 20 units of shophouses, with two co-located facilities in Marine Parade and Ghim Moh.

Description
Under the AHS, tenant selection is based on several criteria: need for housing, artistic standard, a good track record, merit of planned activities, managerial strength and growth potential. Successful applicants are required to pay only 10% of the rental charged by the Singapore Land Authority, as well as utility and maintenance costs, while the remaining 90% of the rent is subsidised by NAC.

Arts housing properties take two main forms: a single-tenanted building housing a single arts group, or multi-tenanted building which houses several arts groups. The third type of arts housing involves co-locating an arts group with non-arts tenants in the same building.

Annual review of AHS premises
Since the scheme was first implemented, there has been a great demand for suitable locations by arts groups, as indicated by the NAC's long waiting list for arts housing. Arts groups housed under the AHS are required to maximise the use of space allotted to them, in view of the space constraints and substantial rental subsidies given to them by the NAC. In order to ensure that the premises are being effectively utilised, the tenancy of arts groups under the AHS is subjected to annual review. The review is based on quarterly reports on activities submitted by each group, checks at its performances and random visits to the premises by members of NAC. The annual review takes into account the following factors: level of activity - each group has to stage at least two public performances in a year; frequency with which the space is used by the group for rehearsals and other related arts activities; artistic standard of its activities; and responsibility of the arts groups as a tenant - its ability to pay rental, maintenance fees, and active participation in management committees.

Timeline
1985 : The former Telok Ayer Primary School on Cecil Street was converted into the Telok Ayer Performing Arts Centre (TAPAC). It now houses arts groups of different cultural traditions and art forms.
1988 : Stamford Arts Centre was restored out of the old Stamford Primary School. Originally built by the Japanese in the 1900's, it was used as a Japanese school until World War II. After the war, it became Stamford Primary School. Today, Stamford Arts Centre houses nine arts groups, with Theatre Practice as its anchor tenant.
1990 : Opening of The Substation at Armenian Street, a multi-disciplinary arts centre which was converted from a 60-year-old Public Utilities Board (PUB) electric substation.
1990 : The Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts' Short Street campus was established. Two more campuses at Middle and Wilkie roads were added later.
1992 : Former Anglo-Chinese School building at Cairnhill Road was restored. The One-Two-Six Cairnhill Arts Centre opened. It is home to groups like The Necessary Stage, Act 3 and Teater Kami.
1992 : Lasalle-SIA College Of The Arts moved into its new Mountbatten campus.
1995 : The Chinese Calligraphy Society, the Dance Ensemble Singapore and various arts groups began relocating to Waterloo Street. 
1997 : A group of artists, including Teo Eng Seng and Tan Swie Hian, moved to Telok Kurau Studios, another former primary school. 
1998 : Chinatown became the new arts district for nine Mandarin arts groups in Smith and Trengganu streets. These included the Chinese Theatre Circle and the Xin Sheng Poets' Society.
1999 : Action Theatre and Sculpture Square moved into Waterloo Street.
1999 : Sculpture Square and Action Theatre premises opened, marking the completion of the $5 million Waterloo Street Arts Belt under the Arts Housing Scheme.
2001 : Little India Arts Belt developed with the acquisition of ten units of shophouses along Kerbau Road.



Author
Nureza Ahmad



References 
Arts council gets pick of 38 homes for artists. (1993, May 28). The Straits Times, p. 25.

Chong, W.H. (1989, May 16). Life-centre for nine arts groups. The Straits Times, p. 5.

5 more arts groups get new homes under NAC scheme. (1994, January 28). The Straits Times, p. 33.

Ho, S.B. (1994, November 18). Amateur arts group told to vacate premises. The Straits Times, Life, p. 26.

Leong, W.K. (1994, February 4). Calligraphy society happy with new centre. The Straits Times, Life, p.16.

Phang, M.Y. (1993, September 3). Old buildings set aside for arts groups. The Straits Times, Life, p. 6.

Phang, M.Y. (1994, December 9). Four arts groups get new home under NAC scheme. The Straits Times, Life, p. 23

Pre-war house gets facelift for calligraphy society. (1994, March 15). The Straits Times. 

Yeo, R. (1992, May 1). New arts hub. The Straits Times, Life, p. 8.

National Arts Council. (2000/2001). Arts Housing Scheme. Retrieved April 27, 2004, from www.nac.gov.sg/local_arts_scene_ahs_01.html


Further Readings
From classrooms to restored buildings. (1999, July 11). The Straits Times, Sunday Plus, p. 9.

Housing help for more arts groups. (2003, November 27). The Straits Times. 

Leong, W. K. (1995, January 23). Art body wants more time to move out of Telok Ayer office.The Straits Times, Life, p. 2.

Ong, S.F. (2001, December 17). Cultivating the arts; home is where the art is. The Straits Times, Life, pp. 1 & 4.

Ong, S.F. (2002, August 26). Small supply of medium spaces. The Straits Times.

Oon, C. (1998, December 8). Chinatown houses for arts group. The Straits Times, Life, p. 3.

Tong, M. C. (1995, March 3). Arts district to foster creative spirit. The Straits Times, Life, p. 2.

The information in this article is valid as at 2004 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Arts
Arts--Singapore
Arts--Awards--Singapore
Arts publicity--Singapore
Law and government>>Culture and community>>Arts
Law and government>>Culture and community>>Arts



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