Asia Pacific Breweries Limited (APBL)

Above: Dancers from Apsaras Arts showcasing their talent at the Esplanade in Singapore. With the support from APB Foundation, Apsaras Arts have introduced an Indian dance technique, Neo Bharatham in Singapore.

1) Apsaras Arts (Apsaras)

Apsaras pledged to introduce to Singapore, Neo Bharatham – an Indian dance technique that was not available locally until the dance group brought in foreign talents who are trained in the technique in 2008. It is envisaged that eventually, Apsaras' core dancers will learn the technique, thus further raising the standards of Apsaras' dancers.

To facilitate the transfer of skills in Singapore, these local dancers have been imparting the craft to other fellow dancers. Local audiences have been able to enjoy a new Indian dance form right here in Singapore without having to leave home.

Indian contemporary dance in Singapore has since been given a boost by Apsaras Arts’ performances in public and on national television as these foreign talents imparted the dance technique to Apsaras’ dancers, performed at Apsaras' performances and contributed in choreography.

Above: Diari Hitam, a book that compiled works created by participants of the Biblio-Therapy Programme introduced by Asas’ 50. The programme launched was to nurture an interest in reading and writing amongst youths.

2) Angkatan Sasterawan ’50 (Asas ’50)

Asas’50 is focused on enhancing the level of appreciation for Malay literature, raising the standard of literary works and improving capacity for future teachings and outreach programmes.

To achieve its objectives, Asas '50 implemented a Biblio-Therapy Programme to nurture an interest in reading and writing amongst the youth-at-risk; kicked-off a Heartland Poet Programme for school students; and will introduce a Cyber-based Literary Arts Innovation Club, an online resource centre for both veteran and aspiring writers.

In 2008, a total of 75 youths from the Pertapis Centre for Young Women and Girls were trained under the Biblio-therapy Programme. Upon its conclusion, Diari Hitam, or Black Diary, a collection 13 short stories reflecting the youths' psychological and emotional struggles, was published and launched in February 2009 by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.

In 2009, the group worked with 521 youths from 22 secondary schools to train them to appreciate poetry and literary works, the best of which will be published in a book.

Above: The Ding Xiaoyan Ruan Ensemble raised the profile of the Ruan music with a performance held in collaboration with the Beijing Conservatory Ruan Ensemble.

3) Ding Xiaoyan Ruan Ensemble (Ruan Ensemble)

As the very first Ruan (a Chinese string instrument) orchestra in the world, the Ruan Ensemble strives to raise the bar for Chinese ethnic music performance and enhance appreciation of the art form. With this in mind, the Ruan Ensemble committed to commissioning four new pieces to be performed at their annual concert in 2008; and holding an exchange programme with the Beijing Conservatory Ruan Ensemble in 2010.

With the funding it received from the APB Foundation, the Ruan Ensemble successfully staged its 2008 concert performed by over 100 local performers. In 2009, the group worked with schools to increase students’ knowledge about Ruan music and provided them with stage experience. Ruan music also received a boost through two public performances held during the same year.

Above: Backed by the APB Foundation, Cake shared their brand of experimental theatre with the Singapore public with its outdoor performance entitled Melt in 2009.

4) Cake Theatrical Productions (Cake)

With support from APB Foundation, the group is keen to share their brand of experimental theatre with the Singapore public through one free outdoor performance for each of the three years of adoption. During each show, Cake invites cultural groups and emerging artists to perform in a bid to add to the vibrancy of the arts scene and offer fellow aspiring artists opportunities to perform. The outdoor performances are made accessible to the general audience so that more people in the community can experience the art.

In 2008 and 2009, Cake Theatrical Productions brought theatre to the masses by staging two free outdoor productions. Apart from sharing the stage with other local emerging talents, the group also succeeded in raising the profile of fellow artists.

Above: The Sculpture Society’s new sculpture pavilion in Fort Canning Park organises artist-in-residence programme featuring workshops by prominent local sculptors.

5) Sculpture Society (Singapore)

With an eye on raising the standard of sculpturing in Singapore, the Sculpture Society (Singapore) created a Practical Workshop Pavilion to organise monthly practical workshops or talks for the public and school students, as well as house their new artist-in-residence programme.

In 2009, the Sculpture Society launched the sculpture pavilion in Fort Canning. It also kicked-off its artist-in-residence programme featuring workshops by prominent local sculptors. The programme facilitated an exchange of ideas and knowledge between foreign artists and local talents as planned.