Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to join you for the launch of GreenField 2006.  GreenField 2006 is one of the key events under “Crea©tive 2006 - Reinvent Your Future”, which is a month-long showcase to recognise, celebrate and promote Singapore’s Creative Industries covering arts, design and media. 

Building a Creative Community

2          What is the significance of “GreenField”? The title alludes to untapped opportunities in the Creative Industries. Through this event, we hope to reach out to students, youths, aspiring artists, creative talents and men-in-the-street, i.e. all Singaporeans, to unleash their creative potential and contribute to Singapore’s creative enterprises. The Creative Industries seek to transform innovative ideas into reality to benefit the life and well-being of our fellow citizens.  This capability to create and innovate will become a key competitive advantage in the next phase of Singapore’s progress and development.

3          Every Singaporean can contribute to building a more creative and connected community. Hence, Creative Community Singapore (CCS) under my Ministry has been helping Singaporeans test out their ideas and realise their creative inspirations.  Since its launch more than a year ago, the CCS has supported 36 projects of which 10 were completed. 26,000 people had participated in these projects and 3,600 people had been trained in various aspects of the Creative industries.  In the process of carrying out these projects, close to 50 jobs had been created.  These projects had brought together innovation and creativity; collaboration between the public, private and people sectors; and stimulated community involvement.

Innovation & Creativity

4          Firstly, I am glad to see a high level of innovation and creativity by the project teams.  Their ideas ranged from short films by “Machinima Asia” with visually stunning 3D game characters, instead of real life actors, to interactive virtual pets developed by Mixed Reality Lab. Unique and elegant modular see-through display containers, never before used for exhibitions in Singapore, is another innovative example. The new MAAD Sunday concept provides budding artists and designers with a showcase for their works to visitors looking for original lifestyle products.

5          Like MAAD, Project “ROJAK” shows how products and services can be innovatively developed and better delivered.  “ROJAK” is staged by an incubator company INC3, supported by CCS. It showcases product concepts and prototypes developed by INC3 and its partners, such as integration of lifestyle products, live media theatre, new sounds, tastes and flavours with a strong contemporary Asian flavour.

People, Public and Private (3P) Partnerships

6          Secondly, I am also delighted to witness how the people, public and private sectors have successfully come together for many creative projects. Such collaborations are important in order to provide the necessary support to budding entrepreneurs wishing to venture into the creative field.  Project “Jumpstart” is one such example where low-income women from Central Singapore CDC are taught new skills in craft making, design and simple business skills such as finance and marketing, with the objective of setting up a co-op.  Two local startups - Homespun and Metz Jewellery – imparted skills and knowledge in designing and making jewellery and these women will be taught simple business skills such as the management of finances and marketing. The Singapore Drama Educators Association will help develop their self-esteem and confidence through the use of drama, and story-telling.  This collaboration will help participating low-income women enhance their earning capability and improve their family income.

Connecting the community

7          Finally, CCS is for anyone and everyone. Homemakers, retired workers, working people or students are given the opportunity to contribute and participate in creative projects.  Many CCS projects are geared to reach out to the community.  “Beat-by-Beat”, for example, allows Singaporeans of all ages with or without musical knowledge, to appreciate and create musicals. It was the brainchild of Dr. Kenneth Lyen, a consultant pediatrician by profession with a strong passion for writing and producing musicals. “Beat-by-Beat” is a musical incubation programme that offers workshops, play-readings and courses to the public.  Selected musicals created from the programme are performed at public venues.  An “Adopt a Baby Musical” programme was subsequently incorporated to encourage corporate sponsors to support the development of these musicals.  20 new musicals were incubated and 12 were performed in the Arts House and Esplanade to full houses.  So there are many talented and creative Singaporeans waiting to be discovered.  Ask yourself, why not me?  The next example or the next creative innovation could well come from you, if you are ready to think out-of-the box.

Conclusion

8          I congratulate all GreenField 2006 participants for your innovation, creativity and passion.  I also take this opportunity to thank our Creative Community Singapore Partners and other partners who have made this event possible through their strong support.

9          I look forward to seeing more creative ideas and proposals coming forth from people of all walks of life.  This will catalyse even more people into engaging in creative enterprises.

10        I wish you a very pleasant and enjoyable evening as you watch, learn and soak in the creative buzz of GreenField 2006 over the next four days.   Thank you.