Activating Urban Spaces and Communities through Arts and Culture: Boosting Local Identity and Social Bonding in Singapore’s Housing Neighbourhoods

Abstract

Community Arts and Culture Nodes’ is an initiative established by Singapore’s National Arts Council (NAC) in 2011, with an aim to bring quality arts closer to the local communities. The pilot study was conducted in five local neighbourhoods to investigate spatial and social impacts of the ‘Nodes’ initiative and strategies employed to activate public spaces through arts. An initial ‘Neighbourhood Arts and Culture Impact Assessment’ (NACIA) framework was applied to conduct neighbourhood spatial opportunities analysis, surveys and focus group discussions with local residents node partners. Enriching public life, activating underused or neglected spaces, shaping stronger sense of identity, boosting community bonding and increasing public participation are some of the initial findings discussed.