The Substation: How many more canaries in the coal mine?

• Main Author: HOE, Su Fern
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2021
• Subjects: placemaking; cultural policy; arts spaces; singapore; substation; Arts and Humanities; Asian Studies
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3443; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/4700/viewcontent/The_Substation.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Since 1990, The Substation has been the sole occupant of the conserved building at 45 Armenian Street. Over the years, it has transformed the once-abandoned power station into Singapore’s first artist-led multi-disciplinary arts centre. However, in February 2021, The Substation was officially asked to vacate the building. Although the current situation facing The Substation is not new or unique, its impending fate is emblematic of, and raises deep questions about the progressively precarious and capricious conditions of arts practice in Singapore. This editorial highlights four underlying problems that we should be concerned with.