12 October 2019
A new resource website for arts freelancers, artsresourcehub.sg, was recently launched by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Culture, Community and Youth Baey Yam Keng. The website consolidates resources and information in areas such as financial planning, career development and legal knowledge.
These are part of the nation’s push to develop the arts scene in Singapore, according to Mr Baey, who also mentioned that by January next year, there will be two dedicated spaces at the Goodman Arts Centre and Stamford Arts Centre for arts freelancers to hot-desk and network with each other.
Mr Baey had spoken in Parliament earlier this year during the Committee of Supply debates about enhancing professional support for independent artists, and helping them grow meaningful careers.
The National Arts Council’s director for education and development, Ms Grace Ng, said that the resource website is “the first time that such resources have been specially curated and organised with the arts community’s needs specifically in mind, and we hope the website becomes a first-stop platform for them”.
Mr Baey also cited initiatives that further improve the employability of arts freelancers. An example is how the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and its key arts and heritage agencies have adopted the Ministry of Manpower’s Tripartite Standard for Contracting Self-Employed persons. This aims to encourage businesses to have proper written contracts, and addresses the problem of late or non-payments, and fosters fair employment conditions for freelancers.