Arts in Your Neighbourhood

Arts in Your Neighbourhood (AYN), an initiative by the National Arts Council, brings enriching arts experiences right to your doorstep every March and November! Enjoy immersive and engaging arts programmes by established artists and arts groups held at various spaces across the island.

From 11 - 28 March, AYN headed to Pasir Ris with exciting virtual performances, pop-up arts experiences, and visual arts installations, inspired by the history and people of the neighbourhood!



Download Programme Booklet

Catch the performance videos from AYN March 2021 here, available until 30 June 2021!

Stay tuned for the next season of Arts in Your Neighbourhood, happening 11 - 28 November 2021! Follow @NACSingapore on Facebook and Instagram to keep updated.

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Family-friendly programmes

With interactive and visually engaging elements, many AYN programmes are perfect for a day of family bonding while the kids discover the wonders of the arts at an early age!

The Enchanted Flute by Paper Monkey Theatre – November 2016

This theatrical puppetry performance inspired by Malay heritage told the story of a Malay village on a tiny island, whose tranquil way of life was disrupted by rats. The tale was unravelled through the nifty movements of Paper Monkey Theatre's hand-crafted puppets, with live music accompaniment by SA The Collective. Familiar playgrounds at Pasir Ris and West Coast parks were turned into unusual sites for pop-up performances, as families bonded over parent-and-child hands-on craft activities, music performances, interaction with giant bubbles and a picnic with popcorn and balloons.

A Dragon Behind The Door & More! by Sweet Tooth (Cake Theatrical Productions) – March 2017

Young audiences were swept away in a magical, fun-filled journey with Mini and her father who woke up to find their house overrun with spotted beetles. Imaginations were stirred by larger-than-life characters, puppets, music, and surprises a-plenty. Families bonded over craft activities like weaving a dragon, making a spotted beetle puppet, and creating their very own mini pop-up theatre.

Maxx The Cat by The Finger Players – November 2017

Kids and families were immersed in this colourful theatrical experience with puppets accompanied by lively music! They followed the journey of a young girl Sam and her adopted cat Maxx as they encountered different creatures in an exciting series of adventures and misfortunes.


Neighbourhood-inspired programmes
Experience your neighbourhoods in new ways through the arts at AYN! Learn the hidden tales and forgotten stories of various towns, that are weaved into interactive arts presentations. These programmes take participants on a journey to discover stories from the past to a renewed perspective of the present, and possibly, a re-imagined future.

The Real Estates by Jean Loo – March 2016, November 2016, March 2017

The Real Estates was a playful interpretation of a town’s geographical map. Photographer Jean Loo and the participants went on guided photo walks in Toa Payoh, Bedok, and Yishun, drawing inspiration from these neighbourhoods’ familiar sights and scenes, as the guides regaled them with historical insights. Their photos were then mounted on art installations forming stunning visual tapestries.

Arts Imprints Around My Neighbourhood by Quek Ling Kiong – March 2016, November 2016, March 2017

Participants were taken on musical trails that showcased iconic neighbourhood landmarks such as the Dragon playground, the Bedok Food Centre, the Toa Payoh Town Park and the GV Yishun Cinema, to uncover the stories of these estates. It was a fun-filled experience from pop-up music performances to learning simple drumming techniques, ending each trail with a special highlight performance.

#seeyoursg by Shophouse & Co – November 2017

Participants saw Jurong through new lenses - literally through a “viewing and recording” device designed by artist Samantha Tio, experiencing how reality and perception are interwoven at each stop of the trail. They were able to create and record their own narratives of the neighbourhood and add on to the Jurong story as part of an exhibition.

Larger Than Life: The Unspoken Histories of Jurong Neighbourhood by Vertical Submarine – November 2017

Larger than Life was a public art showcase of five site-specific works, curated by art collective, Vertical Submarine. Through the activation of public spaces in the heart of Jurong, these works shared fond memories, characteristics and the forgotten history of Jurong with the community.
A commission by the National Arts Council's Public Art Trust.


Multi-cultural programmes
Grow a deeper appreciation for the various cultures in Singapore through the plethora of multicultural arts programmes at AYN!

CROSSING by Riduan Zalani with NADI Singapura – March 2016

This musical feast, reflecting the progressive multi-cultural society we live in, pushed boundaries while retaining identities. The performance led by Young Artist Award Recipient, Riduan Zalani, featured an assembly of dynamic and prominent Singapore arts groups including NADI Singapura, SA The Collective, Tamarind Sound Project, OrkeStar Trio and Bornfire Circus Arts, in a musical conversation and exchange, reflecting familiar places, scenes and sounds found only in Singapore.

Time For Opera! by Ding Yi Music Company and Traditional Arts Centre – November 2016

Ding Yi Music Company and Traditional Arts Centre presented a series of classics from traditional Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese opera specially rearranged for Chinese chamber music instruments in this remarkable showcase.

Muzik Kita – Celebrating Malay Traditional Music – March 2017

Performers from Dikir Barat troupes Andika Kencana and Sahabat danced the night away accompanied by upbeat traditional songs played by musicians from prominent groups such as Sri Mahligai, Sri Gemilang, Nobat Kota Singa and NADI Singapura.
A traditional arts initiative of the National Arts Council supported by the Malay Music Development Committee.

Play With Bamboo! by Liong Kit Yeng – November 2017

Audiences experienced a musical showcase of Asian cultures through the beautiful sounds of bamboo-made instruments such as the Indonesian angklung, Chinese dizi and sheng, featuring a repertoire of traditional folk songs by Ding Yi Music Company and an angklungkulintang ensemble led by De Silva Alicia Joyce.


Programmes by international artists
AYN brings world-class arts programmes right to your doorstep!

The Three Belles by Strange Fruit Productions – November 2016

Seductive and charming, The Three Belles (Australia) transported audience into a dreamlike world of period charm and frivolity through a whirlwind of dance and movement. Inspired by the imagery of a field of wheat swaying in the breeze, the performers swayed back and forth on flexible and strong five-metre high sway poles, twisting and turning to almost-impossible angles.

Urban Distortions by t.r.a.n.s.i.t.s.c.a.p.e – November 2017

Audiences got up close and personal with performers from the Brussels-based dance company co-founded by French artists, as they presented a contemporary dance inside giant life-sized plastic bubbles with live music accompaniment.


Check out the full collection of Arts In Your Neighbourhood programmes from previous seasons here.


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