The development of arts and culture in Singapore has become an economic as well as a social and political factor in recent times. Policy frameworks, besides dealing with socio-political issues of cultural development and artistic freedom, now also have to address arts education, the development of creative industries and the globalisation of Singapore arts. IPS continues to examine these frameworks and their evolving relationship with each other.

In the media world, we are constantly challenged by the speed at which information technology is developing and how it is redefining the concept of media both from production and consumption perspectives. Old dispensations on media’s role are becoming anachronistic in the face of new media such as the Internet and mobile telephony. Their use and impact are creating pressures for a paradigm shift in our policy discourse. Policy makers need a new media literacy to cope with the vagaries of the new technologies and the vitality of citizen-generated content. Regulators need to reconcile the variances between old and new media rules. Society has to struggle with multiple digital divides between the haves and have-nots. IPS is monitoring and analysing these issues from a policy perspective.

New media have also become platforms for public service delivery. E-Government is the new paradigm in public administration. Engaging the active citizen would not only call for greater participation by the public but also for greater transparency, accountability and inclusiveness. IPS is exploring this new terrain of e-governance to help enhance the public service.

STAFF

Arun Mahizhnan
Tan Tarn How
Carol Soon
 

CURRENT PROJECTS

Internet and the Election: A study of New Media Use and its Impact
 

KEY PROJECTS/PUBLICATIONS 

Summary of report on the “Roles of the 3Ps in the Development of Arts and Culture"
Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts Singapore’s Renaissance City Plan III, 2008, pages 43-44

An introductory chapter Singapore in 2002
Tommy T B Koh in Ministry of Information and the Arts Yearbook, Singapore 2003

Discussion on Investing in Cultural Capital, 25 July 2002
Closed-Door Discussion between policy makers, the arts community and academics on the concept of cultural capital development.

Crossing the Divide-Dialogue Among Civilizations
Tommy Koh et al. New Jersey (USA): Seton Hall University, 2001

Cultural Hegemony vs Diversity in the New Information Age
Arun Mahizhnan, presented at the 10th AMIC Annual Conference, 27 - 29 Mar 2001, organised by the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC). This paper is a discussion on the impact of Western cultural norms and how they have affected the media world in developing countries.

The Importance of Cultural Exchange and Corporation Between Asia and Europe
Tommy T B Koh in Asia and Europe-Essays & Speeches by Tommy Koh, edited by Yeo Lay Hwee & Asad Latif. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing, 2000

The Importance of Cultural Development
Tommy T B Koh in Asia and Europe-Essays & Speeches by Tommy Koh, edited by Yeo Lay Hwee and Asad Latif. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing, 2000

Study on Singapore As A Renaissance City
Arun Mahizhnan, et al. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies, 1998 (restricted circulation). This report was based on research and discussions relating to the development of Singapore as a Renaissance City.

Report on National Arts Education
Arun Mahizhnan, Kuo Pao Kun, Kwok Kian Woon & T. Sasitharan. Singapore: Ministry of Information and the Arts, 1996 (restricted circulation). This report studied the implications of restructuring the arts education programme in the Singapore school system.

An Introductory Chapter “Singapore in 1990: Continuity and Change”
Tommy T B Koh in Ministry of Information and the Arts Yearbook, Singapore 1991.