National Arts Council and Singapore Biennale 2006

Project

The National Arts Council (NAC) was established in September 1991 to spearhead the development of the arts in Singapore.  To realize its vision of developing Singapore into a distinctive global city for the arts, NAC provides total support to nurture artistic talent, promotes the practice and appreciation of the arts among Singaporeans, builds up capabilities and resources, facilitates internationalization and advocates the value of the arts. www.nac.gov.sg

In 2006, the NAC organized Singapore’s inaugural international biennale of contemporary art, which was held from 4 September to 12 November 2006, across a collection of 19 venues.  Curated by renowned artistic director Fumio Nanjo, this groundbreaking cultural event showcased works by world-class artists such as Shahidul Alam, Shigeru Ban, Amanda Heng, Jenny Holzer, Eduardo Kac, Barbara Kruger, Yayoi Kusama, Mariko Mori, Carsten Nicolai, Jaume Plensa, Agus Suwage and James Turrell.  It attracted 883,300 visitors over 10 weeks.

Objectives

The National Arts Council appointed RFA as their public relations agency in 2006 to launch and create awareness of the inaugural Singapore Biennale 2006 among international target audiences and establish positive perceptions of its value, credibility and international standing.

RFA adopted the strategy of building on the reputation of the artistic director, artists and unusual venues to generate international awareness of the inaugural Singapore Biennale. The agency did so by highlighting the involvement of internationally renowned curator Fumio Nanjo and world class artists, as well as by identifying and inviting key influencers and media to the biennale vernissage and the opening of the VivoCity arts project.

As a result of RFA’s efforts, 23 international art journalists, curators and art critics attended the opening of the Singapore Biennale 2006 and the VivoCity arts project. More than 200 articles were written and published across five continents in key dailies (WSJA, IHT, South China Morning Post, The Australian), as well as top arts publications (The Art Newspaper, Art Forum, At Review, The Asian Art Newspaper and Modern Painters).