Towards a global city: Emerging arts spaces in Singapore

Abstract

The statea??s impetuses for creating a strong arts industry in Singapore are two-fold, namely to strengthen the social cohesion of the nation, and to boost the economy by contributing to the tourist and entertainment sectors. The ambitions of the state are global and outward-looking. This research focuses on the types of arts spaces that are created in the midst of active promotion of Singapore as a Global City for the Arts. The development of the arts entails the building of more physical infrastructure, resulting in the creation of more arts spaces in the country. The thesis also explores how the spaces of the country are changed for the citizens even as arts development progresses. Finally, the study concludes with an investigation of the conflicts and complementarities faced by the state, its people, and the local arts practitioners, addressing the issues that arise between creating a Global City for the Arts and building a strong, cohesive national identity.