Festival

Singapore International Festival of Arts 2018

Organised by: Arts House Limited
  • Date:
    26 Apr - 12 May 2018
  • Time:
    Various timing
  • Venue:
    Festival House (The Arts House), Armenian Church, Empress Lawn, Esplanade Theatre, KC Arts Centre - Home of SRT, National Gallery Singapore, School of the Arts, The Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Victoria Theatre, Victoria Concert Hall
    Festival House (The Arts House), Armenian Church, Empress Lawn, Esplanade Theatre, KC Arts Centre - Home of SRT, National Gallery Singapore, School of the Arts, The Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Victoria Theatre, Victoria Concert HallFestival House (The Arts House), Armenian Church, Empress Lawn, Esplanade Theatre, KC Arts Centre - Home of SRT, National Gallery Singapore, School of the Arts, The Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Victoria Theatre, Victoria Concert Hall
  • Admission:
    Various pricing

Synopsis:

Into its 41st year, Singapore International Festival of Arts 2018 presents diverse and distinctive works from Singapore and around the world that ignites the imagination, inspires myriad audiences, and provokes reflection and dialogue. Get ready for a plethora of theatre, music, dance, literary and visual arts at the pinnacle arts festival that will happen over three weekends from 26 April to 12 May, and across over ten performance spaces, including the Festival House, located at The Arts House.

Festival Message
I grew up looking forward to the Singapore Arts Festival every year. Watching shows across different genres from around the world played a big part in shaping my artistic sensibilities. Shows such as Ninagawa's Macbeth (1992), for example, entirely changed my perception of how Shakespeare could be performed. In 1996, I acted in Singapore Repertory Theatre's, Sing To The Dawn; it was the first time a Singaporean musical opened the Singapore Arts Festival. Given this history, I was delighted and honoured to be asked to helm the Singapore International Festival of Arts for the next three years.

What is SIFA's role? Where does it fit in the cultural landscape, both at home and internationally? Who does it serve? Where would I like it to be in three years? As I was thinking of how to shape the festival, what I did know was that I wanted to programme a festival that would inspire young people in the same way that I was impacted 25 years ago.

With the support of the phenomenal team at SIFA, I aspired to curate a season that would showcase different art forms and perspectives from Singapore and around the world. We also strove to programme a spectrum of shows that would appeal to a variety of audiences, from the first-time festival-goer to the seasoned art lover. We believe we have programmed artists who are game-changers in their fields.

In parallel, discussions commenced with several of the game-changers in the Singapore arts scene. One of SIFA's roles is to commission and facilitate the creation of new Singaporean work - giving artists the time and resources to develop shows over a two- or three-year horizon. We look forward to presenting the culmination of this process in SIFA 2019 and 2020.

Two memorable experiences from arts festivals I have attended around the world have been the free outdoor performances, and a festival 'village' — a place where artists and audiences can meet after a show and discuss what they've just seen. Both these elements can be found in SIFA 2018. The free outdoor programmes on the opening and closing weekends have some sensational performances to be enjoyed with family and friends. Over these three weeks, The Arts House will become Festival House. It will be the heartbeat of SIFA with performances, lectures, readings, music salons and, of course, a place to just hang out and chat. Artists will give talks, conduct masterclasses or host Q&As, and hopefully we will build relationships with them that last beyond the festival.

A key initiative that I introduced this year is the $10 front-row student ticket. I want the next generation of Singaporeans to know that they matter to SIFA. My hope is that they will fall in love with the arts in the same way I did at their age.

I would like to thank Sarah Martin and the incredible team of people I work with at SIFA and at the Arts House. Despite the tight six-month runway to programme this festival, they have been nothing short of amazing and have worked tirelessly to produce a Festival that we hope resonates with you as much as it does with us.

Most of all, thank you for your support. The scope, breadth and reach of shows in SIFA will continue to grow over the next three years. We look forward to taking you on this exciting journey with us.

Gaurav Kripalani
Festival Director

Singapore International Festival of Arts 2018


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