曾幾何時，有些人將新加坡稱爲“文化沙漠”，認爲新加坡既沒有豐潤的文化土壤，同時政府也對文化這塊不夠上心。
然而，南洋藝術學院和拉薩爾藝術學院等藝術學院近來辦學紅火，華藝節、妝藝大遊行等融合了本地曆史的藝術盛宴每年也都將文化展現在世人眼前。
最近，新加坡官委議員何偉山在國會進行演講時，提出進一步發展本地藝術的建議。在演講中他提議將新加坡現有的藝術學院進行升級，轉爲專職藝術類大學，以此提高社會對這類學校的認可。
以下是他的完整演講。或許在不久後的將來，新加坡能夠變成文化綠洲。
《藝攀卓越 爲國爭光》
近幾年來，政府機構、文化藝術團體和企業基金會聯合推出和舉辦了許多文化藝術活動，供來自不同年齡，以及背景的國人參與其中 。我認爲，在推廣藝術，讓藝術更普及化、被大衆接納的同時，我們更是應該要求自我，向往達成“卓越藝術”的目標；除了繼續培養本地藝術觀衆和愛好者，我國也需要栽培更多的優秀藝術專才，讓整個藝術領域更具活力，蓬勃發展，百家爭鳴！
華藝節戲劇
藝術在我國人民的文化認同上，扮演著重要的角色，持續永恒地培養本地藝術觀衆正是國家藝術理事會推出的“新加坡藝術拓展藍圖” 的重點工作之一。 從建國至今，我國的文化藝術發展可說是一日千裏，藝術的普及和推廣也取得了顯著的成就。在學校，除了知識技能外，提倡學生的個性與全面發展，讓所有學生都需要上藝術課，是“全人教育”的一部分。藝術能夠激發學生的好奇心、開拓他們的創意思維。當青少年展現出在藝術方面的才華和天賦的時候， 我們可以爲他們提供更專業的訓練平台，希望他們有朝一日可以與世界級的藝術家媲美。
爲栽培本地藝術家和人才，我們應該極力發展和擁有自身的藝術大學。目前，我國有幾所師資優良、提供優質教育的藝術學院，譬如：新加坡藝術學院、南洋藝術學院、拉薩爾藝術學院和新加坡國立大學楊秀桃音樂學院。我提議政府探討並盡早將南洋藝術學院和拉薩爾藝術學院提升成爲藝術大學。這樣一來，學生們升學時，有機會在本地繼續深入鑽研藝術且獲得認可。
充滿藝術和科技感的拉薩爾藝術學院
其次，我國在普及藝術的同時，應該不斷尋求新高峰。我們怎麽樣才能更好地爲本地的國家藝術旗艦團體培養未來專職藝術家？我們需要清楚爲這一批藝術專才規劃和提供更靈活的學習框架和環境，以及專屬的職業途徑，在他們畢業之後，他們就可以爲國家藝術旗艦團體服務。不論是專業全職的藝術家、管理人員，或是研究人員等藝術工作者，有了來自源源不絕的專業藝術家和藝術工作者將大大提升本地的文化藝術生態。
32歲黃佳俊2016年獲得第五屆馬勒指揮比賽金獎。
2018年，11歲天才兒童蔡珂宜在日內瓦舉行的梅紐因國際小提琴比賽初級組中，脫穎而出，獲得第一名。
最近，年僅16歲的盧節伶在新加坡國際芭蕾舞大獎賽獲得“新加坡總冠軍”，技高一籌。他們的天賦獲得發掘，在國際舞台上獲得肯定。
盧節伶（左）
我國有能力栽培這些藝術人才，而且需要塑造更多未來的國際藝術獎得主。這時，政府、教育部、文化、社區及青年部、各學府、藝術團體等有必要重視發展卓越藝術的生態理念。我們在呼籲更多國人參與藝術活動之際，也應該相對性地重新思考和探討如何發展卓越藝術的可能性和實踐性。 我們不但要讓文化藝術接地氣也要讓新加坡的藝術家和藝術作品在國際舞台上大放異彩，爲國爭光！
謝謝！
以下是何偉山英文演講全文：
Achieving Arts Excellence in Singapore
It has been heartening to observe agencies from different sectors across government; arts and cultural companies and enterprises coming together to introduce a series of arts and culture programmes for Singaporeans of all ages. As we focus on creating access and opportunities to arts of different forms, and also engaging in deeper and more sustained appreciation of arts, I believe that we should all come together to achieve artistic excellence that inspires.
The arts have always played an important role in defining our nation’s cultural identity in Singapore. The arts bring diverse communities together. The arts scene has been thriving, as artists chart professional careers and arts groups grow in strength. And the SG Arts plan maps the National Arts Council’s (NAC) priorities over the next five years to bring Singapore’s arts development to new heights. Our arts community has also achieved significant success with distinctive works that have resonated with audiences both locally and overseas. These are pursuit of arts excellence. And these local talents are our nation’s pride and define our nation’s distinctive identity.
In schools, our students are exposed to arts programme, as part of holistic education. Be it music lessons or aesthetics lessons, these are part of a student’s curriculum. Also, the National Arts Council – Arts Education Programme provides all students with access to quality arts education experiences.
In terms of Co-Curriculum Activities, students can choose the arts CCA, where they have opportunities to take part in the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Presentation, as well as the annual SYF Celebrations. In 2012, the SYF Central Judging was rebranded as a SYF Arts Presentation, the award structure revamp was put in place by the MOE to emphasis enjoyment of the arts rather than the pursuit of awards. This has provided access and opportunity, increasing the participation rates in performing arts.
For students who are more talented and seek deeper engagement in arts, there is the Artist-In-School Scheme. This scheme supports sustained partnerships between Singapore Arts Professionals, such as musicians, dancers, and writers to co-develop customised arts experiences that deepen students’ engagement in and through the arts.
The arts can play a significant role in culture-building, community life and city planning. As society becomes more diverse, the arts can help deepen understanding and bridge differences across communities. I believe that artistic excellence and creating access and opportunities to arts for the masses, are two different tracks.
Therefore, I have 3 recommendations:
1) Explore the possibilities of transforming our arts academies into full-fledge Arts University
The arts must energise and excite Singaporeans, bring people together and reflect what Singapore represents to a global community. In Our SG Arts Plan, one of our key strategic thrusts was “Singaporeans are empowered to create, present and appreciate excellent art”. But where will our creators of excellent art come from? In pursuit of access and opportunities to arts, we should not forget we ought to reach the pinnacle of excellence.
In order to groom our own local pool of artists and talents, we ought to have reputable arts institutions. We already have the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at National University of Singapore, founded in 2003; the arts institutions – LASALLE College of the Arts, founded in 1986; Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, established in 1938, and School of the Arts (SOTA), founded in 2008. These are already reputable institutions, however more can be achieved.
For instance, 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 IB 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 then raised questions about the effectiveness of SOTA’s programmes in preparing students for a career in the arts.
As an aspiring Arts Nation, I believe that we should have our own Arts University. By transforming or upgrading our art academies, this will draw local and overseas talents into enrolling into these institutions. At present, we do partner prestigious universities overseas; send our students overseas on exchange programmes to broaden their horizon. All these are important. Competitive benchmarking is ambitious and it will help one to grow and learn more about their competitors. We have to nurture local talents. Thus, these efforts will help create vibrancy in the arts scene, heighten motivation amongst the arts practitioners and in the process, and spark off friendly contests to achieve excellence. I urge the government to explore the possibilities of transforming our arts academies like NAFA and LASALLE into full-fledge Arts University.
2) Establish a robust eco system to develop top notch artists
Singaporeans can be proud of our artists and arts groups winning international awards and being featured at leading arts venues and festivals around the world. I believe that there is a need to redefine our arts ecosystem, so as to for a greater platform for professional artistes, artistic director and arts manager.
We do have many top notch artists, Cultural Medallion and Young Artist Award recipients. NAFA has nurtured 13 recipients of the Cultural Medallion. Another 14 of their alumni have been presented the Young Artist Award. Also, many of their alumni have gone on to make their mark in the professional arts scene in Singapore and abroad. LASELLE, too, has her fair share of Cultural Medallions.
Perhaps we could recognise our cultural medallions more during National Arts events, and work closely with the different National Arts Flagship Companies, to groom and identify younger talents, then pass on the knowledge from one generation to the next.
Many of them started their music journey since young. They were nurtured by dedicated teachers and supportive parents. We will need to establish a robust eco system to develop top notch artists and management, who are equipped with strategic and critical thinking, to groom and nurture the next generation of finest artists. In achieving excellence, clear career pathways, programmes and platforms need to be in place, also leading them to join national arts flagship companies. This eco-system needs to be sustained.
3) Young Singaporeans in the arts scenes and future international award winners
In fact, we do already have young talented individuals in the arts scenes. Wong Kah Chun was the first Asian to win the prestigious international Mahler Conducting Competition for in 2016.Violinist Kam Ning has gone on to perform all over the world both as soloist and chamber musician. She was the Second Prizewinner at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2001. 11-year-old Chloe Chua is the junior champion of the Menuhin International Violin Competition in 2018. 15 year-old Chen XinYu was admitted into the NAFA School of Young Talents at the age of 6. When she turned 8 years old, XinYu won the First Prize in the Junior Pipa Category of the Singapore National Chinese Music Competition 2012 organised by the National Arts Council.
All these are our young Singaporeans, and we should continue to track their performances in the local and international arts scenes. These young budding talents are the future of our arts scenes, and we will need more of them. What does the future hold for international arts winners in Singapore? To cultivate full-time artists and retain them, we need to have clearer career pathways, specialization that leads them into national arts flagship companies, after graduation. We will need the government; such as MOE, MCCY, NAC, the Universities and colleges, and art groups to strengthen their core and emphasis on the importance of outstanding artistic development.
The arts scene in Singapore is evolving. Not only seeking more Singaporeans to engage and participate in arts, I urge the government to rethink and reoffer, at the national level about how Singapore can achieve arts excellence and fly our Singapore flags high in the international scenes. Not only do we need artistes, we need to have qualified teachers, managers and directors, to keep the arts scenes vibrant and to foster the sustainability of the arts sector.
In conclusion, I would like to recommend that the government upgrade and transform arts institutions such as NAFA and LSALLE into full-fledge Arts University; establish a robust eco system to develop top notch artists and nurture local artists to serve better in the National arts flagship companies.
Thank you.
