In that light, RCP I’s key recommendations included:
providing one- and two-year grants to major arts companies, project grants for artists and arts groups, as well as training grants, scholarships and bursaries;
launching arts and heritage outreach and education programmes;
enhancing major festivals such as the Asian Arts Mart organised by the Esplanade3.
In 2005, Renaissance City 2.0 (RCP II) was introduced as part of a broader Creative Industries Development Strategy, and articulated an industry approach for developing arts and culture4. RCP II raised funding to $12 million per year in 2005- 2006 and $15.5 million in 2007. In addition to RCP I’s objectives, RCP II aimed to:
a) develop new arts and cultural industry capabilities;
b)build more arts/culture-business partnerships; and
c) internationalise Singapore arts.
RCP II introduced:
• Tracking the contribution of arts and culture to the economy in terms of total value added and employment;
• Limited assistance schemes and incentives for commercial arts projects;
• Singapore’s participation at arts markets and events such as the Venice Biennale, MIDEM5 and the Frankfurt Book Fair;
• Major arts events to market Singapore holistically to the world, namely the inaugural Singapore Season in London, and the Singapore Biennale, coinciding with the 2006 International Monetary Fund and World Bank Meeting held here.