Arts in Your Neighbourhood: Bukit Panjang

Timed to coincide with the school holidays, Arts in Your Neighbourhood (AYN) March 2020 will focus on the vibrant neighbourhood of Bukit Panjang. It is organised by the National Arts Council and will take place over three weekends from 12 to 29 March. As the arts have the ability to lift spirits and unite communities in challenging times, this edition of AYN encourages Singaporeans to get some fresh air and enjoy the arts with friends and families.

Look forward to 40 family-friendly events with close to half of them inspired by Bukit Panjang – its landscape as well as stories of the town and its people. These include recorded sounds from residents crafted into podcasts, as well as site-specific performances, which foster a greater sense of community and belonging through the arts.

AYN’s programmes will take place in eight locations around Bukit Panjang, including lesser-known spots in the neighbourhood such as the Pang Sua Pond and Bukit Panjang Khek Community Guild Building. With some of the activities taking place at unconventional locations, residents and the wider public are encouraged to rediscover Bukit Panjang through the arts and form shared memories and social bonds rooted in their neighbourhood.

Programmes range from a theatrical dance performance on a travelling bus, to a multi-ethnic music concert and even an illustration competition-cum-exhibition involving youths from underserved communities. This edition of AYN will also include literary-related events held in conjunction with the #BuySingLit movement to celebrate Singapore’s literature. The line-up includes an experiential floral installation inspired by SingLit texts and a book fair with a focus on SingLit children’s books.

Highlights in the AYN March 2020 programme include:

• Back of the Bus by Java Dance Theatre – Take a bus ride like no other through the streets of Bukit Panjang with contemporary dancers from Java Dance Theatre and local dance artists performing in a bus. This unique dance theatre show will make its debut in Singapore following sell-out sessions at over 17 arts festivals around the world, including the renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
• The Outer Space curated by ZERO – Explore outdoor spaces and embrace the unknown in this street art programme curated by homegrown street artist and 2013 National Arts Council’s Young Artist Award recipient Zul Othman (ZERO). The programme will feature murals and site-specific street art installations created in collaboration with residents of Bukit Panjang.
• Podscape by Shophouse & Co – Contribute personal stories with your friends and families at this pop-up recording and broadcasting booth. The recorded stories of residents will be overlaid with soundscapes from the neighbourhood and released as podcast episodes.
• Character Clash by Band of Doodlers – Cheer on budding artists and illustration enthusiasts as they battle it out in a live drawing competition and exhibition. Youth participants are mentored by established illustrators and given the opportunity to showcase their character design skills.