Arts goers in Singapore have become spoilt for choice over the years. The Singapore Cultural Statistics 2017 report documents an explosion in non-ticketed performing arts activities, from 4,311 in 2011 to 5,931 in 2016. But, over the same period, ticketed performing arts activities have held steady at around the 3,400 mark. This is one of several indicators that feast for consumers may mean famine for the artists as arts groups struggle to find more audiences. There has been a 12 per cent decline in ticketed attendance from 2012 to 2016, a worrying statistic for the arts community.

The National Arts Council's Our SG Arts Plan, launched recently, is thus a timely attempt to head off a looming crisis on the arts scene as demand struggles to keep up with supply. The five-year road map for arts and culture pinpoints audience development as one of its eight priorities, which include more support for freelance workers and diversifying funding support for the arts.