Source : Business Times – 17 Sep 2009
TWO prime state properties earmarked to promote the arts and heritage scene in Singapore were awarded to private sector operators yesterday. The two sites, one in the Bras Basah area and the other near Dempsey, will host integrated museum and art facilities.
The National Heritage Board revealed yesterday that a record 6.58 million people visited Singapore’s museums in FY2008 – 26.4% more than in FY2007.
Daniel Teo & Associates Pte Ltd and Linda Gallery were awarded the leases to sites at 222 Queen Street, and 27A, 30B and 30C Loewen Road respectively from among nine proposals competing for the sites. The former site is located within the museum cluster at the Bras Basah-Bugis arts and entertainment zone while the latter is near the chic arts and lifestyle precinct of Dempsey.
Prime state properties set aside to boost the arts and heritage scene here were first made available by the National Heritage Board (NHB) and Singapore Land Authority (SLA) last October through a joint request-for-interest exercise to develop, operate and manage integrated museum and art facilities.
With lower start-up costs, it was envisioned that this would ease the entry of new players into the arts and heritage scene.
The property at 222 Queen Street, which is the former Catholic High Secondary School premises, will become Sinema at 222 Queen Street, a popular culture museum driven by films, revolving exhibitions, a theme cafe and bars. Daniel Teo & Associates will invest at least $2.5 million to refurbish the property.
And on Loewen Road, Linda Gallery’s proposed museum will display its owner’s collection of Asian contemporary art. There will also be a retail and F&B component, and as the property comes with a large land area, Linda Gallery has plans for an extensive garden. The company will spend about $2 million on the site.
‘We are pleased that state-owned properties with rich heritage and history are able to find their fit as integrated museums of art and heritage for all to enjoy,’ said SLA’s director of land lease (private).
NHB’s chief executive Michael Koh also said he was heartened that the private sector had stepped up to play its part in promoting Singapore’s arts and heritage scene. Despite the still unsettled economic outlook, more than $14 million has been committed – mostly by the private sector – to develop the heritage and cultural sector.
‘The heritage pie is set to grow further with more players from a range of industries – from museum and gallery management to publishing and films, fashion and the arts sectors – coming onboard,’ NHB said in a statement.
The government agency also revealed yesterday that a record 6.58 million people visited Singapore’s museums in FY2008 – a 26.4 per cent increase from FY2007.
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