About 150 members from Singapore's arts community cast their
votes today to propose two persons whom they feel would make the
cut as Nominated Members of Parliament.
Melanie Yip was there to witness the 3-hour voting
process of the Arts N-M-P candidates.
Three candidates stood before a considerable turnout at Theater
Works as each made a pitch on who would give arts a greater voice
in parliament.
They were Substation's Artistic Co-Director, Audrey Wong,
Theater Director Loretta Chen and Managing Director of Arts
Management Associates, Dr Robert Liew.
In the end, the arts community selected Ms Wong and Ms Chen.
Ms Wong won more than 50 percent of the 152 votes cast.
While both acknowledged the pressures that come with the
responsibility as NMPs, they were nonetheless excited about the
opportunity.
Substation's Ms Wong on how she intends to bridge the different
voices within the arts community.
"It is also important for this person to have her own position.
She has to be able to speak about things that are important to her
while also listening. I think it is important to listen to the
different views from the arts community. And we need to find ways
to filter out the different views, and if necessary to direct
people's questions to the right person."
Theater director, Loretta Chen, on the other hand, hopes to
develop platforms for more open dialogues and constructive
feedback.
"I think in Singapore, we either slam something or choose to not
take part. Even for a child, the minute you tell them "wow you did
great but you could have done it better" That means a lot and
speaks volumes. Perhaps we do mean well, but sometimes we are
unable to give constructive feedback to artistes, and that is
important when we are able to give constructive feedback and also
to be more positive in our feedback to the artistes."
The names of Ms Audrey Wong and Ms Loretta Chen will be
submitted to the National Arts Council for consideration to be
NMPs.
The council is expected to confirm their endorsement by next
week.
If neither of the two proposed candidates secure the council's
endorsement, organizers of today's voting process say they will
endorse the two names as independent nominees.
Media, arts and sports organizations constitute one of six
functional groups invited to nominate candidates for the NMP
post.
The deadline for NMP applications closes on 11th May.
--938Live