HERE I AM. – Celebrating 20 Years of the Business Times Budding Artists Fund
Organised by: The RICE Company LimitedPerformed by: Youths under The Business Times Budding Artists Fund
Synopsis:
A group of aspiring young artists prepares for a performance marking the 20th anniversary of a beloved arts charity. They carry the torch of countless artists who came before them, eager to honor the program's legacy.
As the students pour their energy into rehearsals, a different drama unfolds behind the scenes. The charity's founders and leaders, veterans who have dedicated their lives to the cause, grapple with a persistent problem that has haunted them for years.
For the young artists, this is a chance to be seen and heard, a moment to express themselves. For the older generation, a heavier question lingers: After two decades of sacrifice and hope, has their work truly made a difference?
Amid the creative energy and candid conversations, old friendships are tested, new bonds are forged, and two generations face the same profound question: Does the work we do truly matter, or is it all just a performance?
HERE I AM. is a special production celebrating 20 years of the Business Times Budding Artist Fund (BT BAF), managed by TRCL. For two decades, BT BAF has provided funded arts training in Music, Dance, Theatre and Visual Arts, to children and youth aged 6 to 19 from underserved backgrounds, at The Little Arts Academy and 10 Square Youth. Since its inception, BT BAF has reached more than 25,000 beneficiaries across Singapore.
Produced by TRCL, HERE I AM. is written and directed by programme alumni, emerging artist and educator Vishnucharan Naidu. HERE I AM. showcases the creativity and resilience of performers and creatives, nurtured through our programmes. This 20th anniversary marks not only a milestone, but also a celebration of the transformative power of the arts.