This study examines the evolving relationship between economic imperatives and community engagement within Singapore’s visual arts sector, situated within the nation’s ambition to position itself as a regional arts and cultural hub. Tracing cultural policy developments from the 1970s to the 2020s, it highlights shifts in policy rationales—from arts-led nation-building to the strategic mobilisation of the arts for economic growth, innovation, and social vitality. Rather than replacing earlier priorities, these shifts reflect a cumulative layering and rebalancing of policy rationales that continue to coexist within Singapore’s cultural governance framework. While existing research has documented Singapore’s cultural policy trajectory, limited attention has been paid to how policy rationales are justified, sustained, and negotiated over time. This study addresses this gap by applying the lens of institutional logics to analyse how evolving rationales mediate tensions between economic objectives, social goals, and community-oriented cultural value. Particular attention is given to Singapore’s distinctive governance context, characterised by strong state involvement, which shapes negotiations around artistic autonomy, market participation, and cultural legitimacy. By foregrounding policy rationales rather than discrete policy instruments, this paper demonstrates the value of institutional logics as an analytical framework for understanding continuity and change in cultural governance. Drawing on five decades of policy development, the study offers insights relevant to cultural policy debates in Singapore and other contexts where state participation plays a central role in shaping visual arts ecosystems.

Authors:
Standley Tan, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

About the Presenter(s)
Standley Tan is a PhD candidate from NTU Art, Design and Media. His research focuses on the visual arts sector in Singapore, examining how institutional, policy, and practice-based approaches can support long-term sustainability and sector resilience

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/standleytan/

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