The price tag: $180 million, almost a third of what it cost to
build the Esplanade.
This sum is on top of the $115 million set aside for the next
five years to grow Singapore into a global arts city. The premises
will close in 2010 and reopen three years later.
News of the makeover came as a surprise to the arts community,
who had worried that cuts would be made in government funding in
the light of the economic downturn.
But Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and
the Arts Lui Tuck Yew assured them otherwise as he gave more
details yesterday of the masterplan to guide Singapore's arts and
cultural development.
'I can assure stakeholders that the Government remains fully
committed to this sector...We'll work with them to help them
weather the storm,' he said.
The refurbishment of the two venues is part of a broader plan to
develop and promote cultural institutions around Empress Place. One
recent project announced: the construction of the National Art
Gallery, reported to cost $320 million, at the former Supreme Court
and City Hall. It is expected to open in 2013.
The imposing Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall was gazetted as a
national monument in 1992. The theatre is 148 years old while the
concert hall is 103 years old
In 1995, the concert hall, which was then home to the Singapore
Symphony Orchestra, had its interior repainted and the
air-conditioning system improved to the tune of $700,000.
The next year, $6 million was spent renovating the theatre,
including installing an orchestra pit and fire curtains for the
stage. In 2002, $250,000 went to maintenance and repair works for
the theatre.
The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts said
the latest refurbishment will include improving the acoustics,
seating and backstage facilities.
The space will also be reconfigured to accommodate rehearsal
needs and commercial pre- and post-performance activities.
The theatre and concert hall will continue to operate until
renovation commences.
Mr Yan Yin Wing, music director of the Braddell Heights Symphony
Orchestra, which has been performing at the concert hall since
1986, welcomed the plans.
He said: 'The concert hall is getting a little bit old compared
to other modern venues such as the Esplanade.'
His 70-member orchestra has begun looking for a new concert
venue but will continue to play there next year.
Rear-Admiral (NS) Lui also announced plans to review the Arts
Housing Scheme. It will be extended beyond providing work space for
professional artists and arts groups to include private arts
businesses and specialised services such as art conservation.
In 2010, when the School of the Arts, Singapore moves from its
temporary premises at Goodman Road to Kirk Terrace in the Bras
Basah Road area, the vacated premises will be converted into an
additional 15,000 sq m of arts housing space.
The National Arts Council will also be launching a scheme next
year to support Singaporean artists' residencies abroad, as well as
foreign artists' residencies here.
