Arts groups, museums seek to sustain momentum after SG Culture Pass attendance boost

In the second year of Singapore's SG Culture Pass, arts groups and museums are seeking to build on the momentum from increased attendance and expand access to cultural experiences for all communities. The scheme, introduced in September last year, has seen over 411,000 Singaporeans use more than S$30.4 million in Culture Pass credits.

While 68% of registered users had not attended an arts or culture event in the past five years, 90% of users surveyed expressed willingness to attend another event after using their credits. The challenge now is to sustain this growth and draw in those who may be harder to reach. At Singapore Repertory Theatre, 60% of recent musical attendees used the Culture Pass, helping bring in new visitors.

The theatre plans to introduce special packages, including discounts for bringing family members to children's shows. The Visual Arts Centre, where seniors and retirees make up the majority of users, is addressing challenges in the booking process for older citizens by providing additional assistance. Meanwhile, the Intan, a private Peranakan museum, has seen a 25% increase in visitors and is experimenting with new offerings, including digital experiences and cooking programmes, to attract a wider audience and promote inclusivity.