Theme: Sustaining the Human Spirit - The Arts and Humanities in Times of Crisis

Even without a global crisis, the arts are not usually a topic of priority... or so they appear. The arts themselves are more than just a form of expression or entertainment, they shape our very way of thinking and viewing the world.

In light of a crisis, the effects of art on our lives are more evident than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our community, and on communities around the world. However, while public theatres, museums and concerts ceased their operations, our passion for the arts have stayed alive. In these trying times, the arts have still managed to bring us together and brighten our spirits. At the same time, the narratives we had taken for granted, that of progress and societal unity, are being tested like never before.

For many of us, this is an unprecedented global crisis. Dealing with the personal impact of the pandemic has not been easy for any of us, the massive societal, governmental and economic changes have been and will be grappled with now, and for generations to come. Where then, should we turn to but the arts, to keep our spirits alive in these trying times? How will our identities, fractured as they are by this pandemic, be shaped and reshaped by the arts moving forwards?

Anglo Chinese Junior College
25 Dover Cl E
Singapore, South West, 139745
Singapore

Aaron Maniam

Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information, Poet, and Founder and Editor of the Birthday Collective

After working at the Singapore Embassy in America, Mr Aaron Maniam was posted to the Strategic Policy Office to work on scenario planning and analysing long-term trends relevant to Singapore. In 2010, he was appointed the first Head of the Singapore Government’s Centre for Strategic Futures. Mr Maniam was appointed Director of the Institute of Policy Development at the Civil Service College in July 2011. Mr Maniam is currently the Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information. Beyond civil service, Mr Maniam is also an incredibly talented poet. In addition to Winning the Golden Point Award for English poetry in 2013 and being shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize in 2007, his work has been featured in multiple online journals and compendiums. Mr Maniam is the Founder and Editor of the Birthday Collective, a movement that aims to become a “Brain, Heart and Hand Trust” of Singapore by inspiring the next generation of young Singaporean Leaders.

Anitha Pillai

Applied Linguist and Teacher-Educator at the National Institute of Education Nanyang Technological University

Dr Anitha Devi Pillai teaches courses on writing pedagogy, literacy practices, and writing skills at the National Institute of Education Nanyang Technological University. She is a three-time Excellence in Teaching Award recipient from the National Institute of Education in 2019 and Singapore University of Social Sciences in 2014 and 2013. She is also a voracious reader and a published author, poet, and translator.

Darius Lim

Composer-Conductor, Founder and Artistic Director of the Voices of Singapore Choir Festival, Music Director of the Voices of Singapore

With a flair for choral composition, Mr Darius Lim has won more than 40 national and international awards among other special prizes. In addition, his music has been performed in globally-renowned platforms such as the World Youth Choir Festival in Austria and the Tokyo International Choir Competition. Within the local scene, Mr Lim has ardently advocated for the promotion of choral and Singaporean music. He has given lectures on choral conducting at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and the School of the Arts, Singapore. Furthermore, he has also held conducting and choir workshops across Asia, Europe and America. Beyond choral composition, Mr Lim is also an established concert pianist. He has performed with the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra and has given numerous piano recitals in Asia. Recently, he has also been nominated to represent Singapore on the Asia Pacific Choir Council.

Johanna Pan

Costume and Scenic Designer for theatre, film, dance and opera, Textile and Visual Artist, and Jewelry Designer

Ms Johanna Pan is a holder of the Shubert Scholarship and a Master of Fine Arts for Stage and Film Design degree at NYU. Her expertise in design spans across theatre, film, art and opera, having been a part of over 80 productions. Her notable works include costume design for Barrington Stage Company’s “James and The Giant Peach”, Broadway’s “Falsettos”, and NYU Thesis Film “Stigma Style”. Beyond design, Ms Pan is also passionate towards creating an inclusive and diverse future. She is a proud member of IATSE United Scenic A 829, a labor union and professional association organized to protect craft standards, working conditions and wages for the entertainment and decorative arts industries. She is also the Resident Designer of What Will The Neighbours Say?, a non-profit company that creates theatre that examines historical, social, political and economic narratives that have been disregarded, misrepresented, or otherwise untold to provoke discourse in our audience and community.