Government reaffirms support for Singapore’s arts sector amid closure of The Projector

The Government remains committed to supporting a vibrant and sustainable arts sector in Singapore, through a broad range of financial, infrastructural, and community-based initiatives, said Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo.

In a written response to Parliament on 25 September 2025, Neo outlined the ongoing support provided to arts and culture groups via the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), highlighting schemes designed to promote diversity, accessibility, and long-term resilience.

Neo’s remarks were in response to a parliamentary question by Foo Cexiang, Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, who asked whether the Government was concerned about the recent closure of local arts spaces such as The Projector, and whether further support would be considered for ground-up initiatives.

Foo’s question followed the abrupt closure of The Projector’s operations in August 2025, a move that has triggered public concern about the sustainability of independent cultural spaces in Singapore.

Neo stated that MCCY provides support through direct grants, subsidised venues, national presentation platforms, and partnerships with both the wider community and the private sector.

Grants and schemes to sustain the arts

Key schemes include the National Arts Council (NAC)’s Major Company Scheme, which provides multi-year funding for arts organisations to strengthen their professional and artistic development. These funds assist with critical operating costs such as rent and venue hire.

Other grant types include the Presentation and Participation (P&P) Grant and the Market and Audience Development (MAD) Grant, which help artists and organisations to showcase work and engage local and international audiences.

The National Heritage Board also administers the Organisation Transformation Grant, which enables heritage companies to undertake strategic projects for long-term viability.

Neo added that “our key cultural programmes” — including Singapore Art Week (SAW), Singapore Festival of the Arts (SIFA), and Singapore Writers’ Festival (SWF) — offer important platforms for ground-up initiatives and public engagement.

He noted that a significant number of events at SAW 2025 were self-organised, underscoring the vibrancy of grassroots contributions.

Expanding access through infrastructure and partnerships

Beyond funding, MCCY also provides infrastructural support. Under NAC’s Framework for Arts Spaces, artists and groups can access subsidised housing and facilities-for-hire such as the Arts Resource Hub.

Through partnerships with the People’s Association (PA) and the Community Development Councils (CDCs), the government has also introduced ArtsEverywhere@CDC, a programme intended to bring the arts to everyday community settings.

Neo also cited collaboration with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) via the Community/Sports Facilities Scheme (CSFS), which facilitates the co-location of arts organisations within commercial developments.

Examples include Singapore Ballet at Bugis+, The Artground at One Holland Village, and 10 Square by TRCL at Orchard Central.

According to Neo, these efforts reflect a multi-pronged strategy aimed at ensuring resilience in the arts sector despite shifting economic and social conditions.

The Projector’s closure sparks public concern

The exchange in Parliament follows the closure of The Projector, an independent arts cinema that operated from Golden Mile Tower and Cineleisure Orchard. Its final screening was held on 19 August 2025, after which the company confirmed it would enter voluntary liquidation.

The Projector had earned a strong reputation since its launch in 2014, hosting film festivals, poetry readings, vintage markets, and alternative film screenings.

However, management acknowledged that rising costs and global changes in viewing habits had made the independent model unsustainable.

“These pressures have been compounded by the broader realities of operating in the arts and culture sector in Singapore,” the team said in a statement on 19 August.

Public reaction was swift, with widespread expressions of shock and sadness across social media. Many users commented on the suddenness of the closure and the loss of a creative community space.

Pocket Cinema — the company behind The Projector — owes more than S$1.2 million to various creditors, including over S$100,000 owed to members and ticket holders.

Leong Mun Wai, a member of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), also weighed in on the closure, describing it as a major loss for Singapore’s civil society and independent arts scene.

In a 19 August Facebook post, Leong said that The Projector had offered a rare platform for creative expression and civic engagement. He urged the public to support the local arts scene and highlighted the upcoming SG Culture Pass as one way to do so.

Ensuring resilience in the arts ecosystem

In Parliament, Neo acknowledged the complex challenges faced by arts organisations, including evolving market conditions and changing audience patterns.

He stressed that the government would continue to provide “wide-ranging support” and that community and private sector contributions remained critical to the future of the arts.