Arts groups, museums seek to sustain momentum after SG Culture Pass attendance boost

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

At the Visual Arts Centre, seniors and retirees make up the bulk of its Culture Pass users, with landscape and Chinese ink painting among its most popular programmes.

For some older participants, however, navigating the booking process remains a hurdle.

“It could still be a challenge for the older folks, and some of them would think of it simply as a voucher they can scan when they reach the outlet,” said Ms Iola Liu, director of the centre.

“But Culture Pass requires a certain pre-booking with the vendor sites like Sistic, Klook etc. So I think navigating that has been a challenge for the older citizens.”

The centre has been providing additional assistance, including guiding seniors through the booking process in person.

Meanwhile, private Peranakan museum The Intan says visitor numbers have risen by as much as 25 per cent with the Culture Pass.

It has also used the scheme to experiment with new offerings, including children’s cultural activities, digital experiences and Peranakan cooking programmes, which have proven popular with seniors.

The museum has adapted its tours for visitors with mobility needs and wants to bring its experiences to more communities that may otherwise struggle to access them.

Mr Alvin Yapp, founder of The Intan, said this could include people living in sheltered and welfare homes who may find it difficult to visit the museum.

“These are communities that we find we wish there was a way to engage them further,” he added. “For me, that is truly about being Singaporean, truly about being inclusive.”