This Non-profit Organisation in SG Uses Art, Culture for Social Change

Gateway Arts is a non-profit organisation in Singapore that advocates for the arts by promoting positive values within the creative industry. It was established to nurture the talents of aspiring and emerging artists of the next generation, and its art programmes are designed especially for artists that come from underprivileged communities in the city-state.

Gateway Arts strongly believes that the arts can “provoke thought, encourage conversations, and inspire change” through theatre productions that address social issues relevant to children and youth. Here’s what to know about the organisation and its creative pursuits.

Programmes

Gateway Arts Residencies

This programme is designed to provide support to individual artists who aim to develop a specialised skill within their respective fields. They are expected to bring in something new that will help flourish the growing arts industry in Singapore.

Moreover, artists who join the residencies will be provided with a dedicated studio and necessary resources to help them focus on their artistic development. This programme is open to artists who are interested in performing arts, visual arts, music, and anyone who wants to create their own piece of work.

Bitesize Theatre Productions and Five Stones Theatre

These musical collectives by the Gateway Arts both provide an artistic space for young creatives. Bitesize Theatre Productions create relevant and important themes that are inclusive for local audiences.

Five Stones Theatre, on the other hand, is made up of an interdisciplinary and international collective of dance-loving artists. It’seponymous with a popular traditional children’s game in Singapore as it “[arouses] curiosity and [ignites] the imagination” of audiences through an honest, refreshing, and thought-provoking approach.

Kids Club

This is a weekly programme for children, aged three to seven, who love storytelling, arts and crafts, and free play activities. The Kids Club is also a great platform to destress children from the pressure of a formal academic schedule.

They can attend weekend art workshops, theatre plays, music lessons, and more. Each activity may help in the development of a child’s motor skills, language and visual appreciation, listening skills, empathy, problem solving, critical thinking, and inventiveness.

Kids Classes: Little Hoppers, Stage Kids

Little Hoppers are perfect for kids who love to groove to the beat. It is led by dance company Distinct Creative Arts, which uses dance as a tool to educate and empower marginalised or at-risk youths by providing professional coaching in dance while teaching them about discipline, teamwork, respect, humility, and tenacity.

Stage Kids is a speech and drama programme that focuses on public speaking, sharing ideas, and communicating in groups. Children who join this programme will be exposed to different scenarios with varying points of view that will test their creative and critical thinking and confidence. Your children will not only have a good time, but they will also appreciate culture, cooperation, lateral thinking, and more.

Springboard Programme

In line with the company’s mission to foster and support emerging artists, the Gateway Arts’ artistic director and the Gateway technical team serve as consultants in choosing the independent artists who will benefit from the numerous provisions under this programme. You can view the eligibility conditions and complete list of perks here.

Social Causes feat. Past and Upcoming Shows

Gateway Arts connects to people by showcasing social reality through the arts. This includes building mental resilience, kindness, empathy, and embracing (of what ?) among the youth in this multi-cultural society. They do this through various productions, including “The Rat Trap,” “The Monster in the Mirror,” “I and You,” “12 Going on 12,” “Behind the Wall,” “Smartypants and the Swordfish (2019),” “Oddsocks,” and “My Invisible Life.” 

To know more about the latest happenings at Gateway Arts Singapore, visit its website.

Location: Gateway Arts, 3615 Jalan Bukit Merah Singapore