A Series of Arts Performances and Workshops at Mapletree Business City to encourage engagement with the arts
SINGAPORE – Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd (“Mapletree” or “the Group”) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a series of arts performances and arts-based workshops at Mapletree Business City (“MBC”). Branded ‘Arts in the City’, the series is part of Mapletree’s Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) initiative to encourage deeper engagement with the arts.
Commenting on the effort, Group Chief of Corporate Services, Mr Ho Seng Chee said, “Supporting the arts is one of the focus areas of Mapletree’s CSR framework. The ‘Arts in the City’ programme gives Mapletree an exciting opportunity to promote Singapore’s arts talent. By hosting this programme at MBC, our flagship development, we are also furthering our vision to make the Alexandra Precinct a multi-dimensional neighbourhood that blends first-rate work spaces with recreation and entertainment options.”
‘Arts in the City’ is supported by the National Arts Council (“NAC”) through ‘Arts@Work’, an initiative that is part of the Arts and Culture Strategic Review, to bring the arts to the workplace so that working adults have more opportunities for engagement. Ms Chua Ai Liang, Director, Arts & Communities, NAC commented that “The arts not only inspire and entertain us, but also enable us to discover more about ourselves and others. By supporting Mapletree’s efforts, the NAC hopes the MBC community will be more familiar with our local artists, and come to see the different possibilities offered by the arts. We would like ‘Arts in the City’ to be a starting point for the people working at MBC to have meaningful arts experiences which they would be encouraged to share with their families, friends and colleagues.”
MBC is the centrepiece of the thriving Alexandra commercial area. This enables Mapletree to reach out to the business communities in the vicinity by holding events at its facilities. Additionally, Mapletree will leverage its networks within Alexandra Precinct and the nearby HarbourFront Precinct to introduce the arts to the workplace by inviting its tenants and staff from both precincts to participate in this lunchtime series.
Kicking off the quarterly series is a performance on 20 February and workshop on 25 February conducted by Ding Yi Music Company (“Ding Yi”). Recognised as one of Singapore’s most prodigious Chinese chamber music ensemble, Ding Yi has captivated audiences with its distinctive approach to showcase a vast repertoire that ranges from traditional Chinese music to contemporary avant-garde interpretations and cross-genre works. Performing Chinese music to MBC during this period will also add to the festive celebrations of the Lunar New Year. The performance will be followed up by a workshop on Chinese music and instruments where participants will learn about the oriental orchestra and be given instruments to play alongside the musicians under the facilitator’s guidance. Besides music appreciation, the session will also encourage workplace skills such as team building and communication.
At MBC, arts and design has been a central theme to promote community identity among its business fraternity. Prior to ‘Arts in the City’, Mapletree has also specially commissioned and installed eight artworks at public locations within the two-million square feet business hub. These art pieces are not only convenient visual markers within the development, but also serve to cultivate a distinct MBC identity for the working population. In addition, to commemorate the grand opening of MBC in March 2012, an outdoor furniture design competition ‘Design in the City’ and a book featuring MBC’s art collection ‘Art in the City’ were launched.
Taking the arts initiative a step further, ‘Arts in the City’ will aim to bring enjoyment and insights to different forms of arts with a performance and a workshop conducted every quarter. This effort will continue to add to the vibrancy of MBC as a business locality. The events will also enrich the community of MBC, both Mapletree’s tenants and staff, with shared artistic and cultural experience.
