$300m set aside for SG Culture Pass to promote local arts and heritage

Programmes must feature S'poreans or PRs in key roles

- Clement Yong

A total of $300 million has been set aside for the SG Culture Pass initiative announced at Budget 2025 to encourage Singaporeans to attend local performances, exhibitions and experiences.

It is the first incentive of its kind here to target the arts and heritage sector.

Qualifying programmes for the $100 worth of credits, given to all Singaporeans aged 18 and above, must have Singapore citizens or permanent residents playing key roles.

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth said on Feb 21 that it will begin accepting proposal submissions, which can be related to the literary, performing and visual arts or heritage sectors, from March 10.

It will take an open-minded approach, welcoming applications from all registered organisations, collectives and independent practitioners.

There will be a focus on in-person activities, rather than virtual ones. Tickets must be sold via authorised ticketing providers to prevent fraud.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, who gave the details at a ministerial town hall for the arts and culture sector on Feb 21, said that the raison d'être of the culture pass is to get those who have not attended local programmes to do so, and "after the first taste, some will come back for more".

Speaking at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre, he entreated practitioners to "compete for and find ways to reach new audiences".

"I encourage all of you to take up this challenge, put up compelling offerings to attract new audiences, (and) find different ways of using the culture pass to retain them," he said.

In time, all eligible offerings will be listed on a single website, which will function as an easy directory for those not in the know.