Buy Now, Pay Later Award

SG Culture Pass

- Ong Sor Fern Arts Editor

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services have been accused of encouraging indiscriminate consumption and spendthrift habits among users.

But the Government is leveraging the concept for a good cause: encouraging Singaporeans to spend on homegrown arts and heritage experiences, thereby supporting local artists.

The SG Culture Pass initiative, announced in Parliament as part of Budget 2025, gives each Singaporean aged 18 and above $100 to spend on performances and exhibitions. Some $300 million has been allotted to the initiative, spread over three years.

The idea is that the Government will foot the bill first, giving people who have yet to sample homegrown arts that free push into theatres and galleries.