New resource centre for arts freelancers to be set up

SINGAPORE — To meet the “wish list” of independent artists for better access to resources, training and networking amid the rise of the gig economy, a national resource centre specially dedicated to supporting freelancers in the arts industry will be set up.

This was announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Baey Yam Keng at the Committee of Supply debates in Parliament on Thursday (March 8).

Freelancers will be able to tap on resources such as professional skills development programmes, and materials to inform them about their individual rights and responsibilities. The centre will also offer access to shared services like administrative support, legal, human resource and finance services. It will also organise job and networking opportunities.

Responding to TODAY’s queries on the locations being considered, a Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) spokesperson said that it would be “consulting potential partners to secure a suitable space”.

The resource centre would be set up “sometime by this year”, said the spokesperson in an earlier media briefing.

The spokesperson also said that the ministry will also continue to consult arts and culture freelancers, as well as industry partners to co-develop the services provided by the centre.

This initiative is part of MCCY’s plans to provide additional support for the freelancer industry.

Currently, the National Arts Council (NAC) has a range of support schemes to benefit freelancers in the arts sector – be it its NAC grant schemes, arts housing assistance and talent development platforms.

However, Mr Baey pointed out that “more can be done to enhance professional support for independent artists, to help our freelance artists grow meaningful careers”.

Last year, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and NAC had consulted arts freelancers and key employers to gather their feedback.

A support framework that fosters fair and progressive employment conditions and meets freelancers’ professional development needs have been developed.

For a start, the NAC and the National Heritage Board said they would adopt MOM’s tripartite standard for contracting for self-employed persons, which support freelancers in establishing fair contractual terms.

For example, to stamp out the problem of late or non-payments and offer more accountability, the tripartite standard aims to encourage businesses to have proper written contracts.

The MCCY will be working with other cultural institutions to progressively roll this out over the course of the year

“We will also encourage arts groups and institutions within the wider culture sector to implement these measures,” said Mr Baey.

Welcoming the set-up of the new centre, freelance dance practitioner and teacher Durga Mani Maran, said it would provide a “common ground” for arts instructors and performers to get together for professional development and networking, especially since “many independent artists across the different genres do not know each other well."

She said it would provide more chances for future collaborations between artists, and also spur on a higher quality of teaching and performance standards. She also hoped that more independent artists from overseas would use the centre to collaborate with local artists

Citing the limited access performance artists get to academic publications, the 38-year-old added it would aid artists to find "authentic information on digital platforms that will support our academic and creative work".

Community artist and arts educator Peggy Ferroa said the centre would be especially helpful for those “who have just come out of arts school or career switchers who are fairly new to freelancing in the arts and uncertain about their future”.

Ms Ferroa, who has been freelancing for more than 25 years and works on theatre projects, said with artists of varying backgrounds coming together to exchange about their individual practices, the working practitioner offers a “resource as well and a very immediate one”.

“I hope the centre will provide a range of services - be it to answer everyday questions to make our solo jobs easier, to a place for deeper discussions on where the arts in Singapore can head to.  Above all, hope it brings together a community that looks out for each other,” she added.