In a first of its kind initiative, the National Arts Council (NAC) and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) have launched a joint Price and Quality (PQ) tender for a row of five restored heritage properties at 52 to 56 Kampong Java Road (Kampong Java) for multi-disciplinary arts sandbox use. What that means is that the space at Kampong Java is intended to be used as an experimental space for artist-led innovation and creation, initiated in response to industry feedback from arts practitioners for dedicated and relevant spaces.

As an ‘arts sandbox’, the site aims to support nascent, emerging talent to experiment, hone their craft, and eventually gain a foothold in the sector. This is part of the Government’s efforts to work with the arts community to develop arts spaces, in tandem with the growing interest that arts companies and artists have shown. With that in mind, the tender proposals will be evaluated based on Price (30%) and Quality (70%), with a higher weightage placed on the Quality component to encourage compelling concepts and quality proposals from the tenderers. The concept proposal should include ideas on how the premises can be positioned as a vibrant arts sandbox and suggested strategies to attract artists from multi disciplines to the space.

Kampong Java is designed with the arts community’s needs in mind. The tender incorporates key points raised by members of the arts industry over a series of engagements in the past years, one of which was for a Master Tenant to manage the space. This is the first time that State properties are launched through a joint PQ tender on a 5+4-year tenure for arts sandbox use, which reaffirms the value of the arts in enlivening spaces. Potential tenderers, including those with experience in managing arts spaces and/or in the arts sector, are invited to submit their proposals by 18 September 2024, after which the SLA and NAC aim to come to a decision and announce the master tenant and their plans by Q4 of 2024.

The heritage State Properties at 52 to 56 Kampong Java Road comprise five units with a total Gross Floor Area (GFA) of approximately 996 sqm. They are located in close proximity to the Novena and Little India MRT stations. The properties are also well-served by amenities and are a short walk to the United Square Shopping Mall and the Pek Kio Market and Food Centre. SLA has carried out restoration and renovation works to the property, such as interior upgrading, building a new driveway and carpark lots. The works were completed in June 2024.

Prospective tenderers are expected to detail how the premises will be made accessible and affordable, in particular, the inclusion of various pricing schemes for the different arts occupants. The quality component will also take into consideration business sustainability and maintenance plans to preserve the heritage value of the properties, and the incorporation of green initiatives.

Tay Tong, Director, Visual Arts (Arts Ecosystem Group), NAC, said “NAC has been engaging the arts community who has raised not only the need for more spaces for artists’ led experimentation and creation, but also for artists to decide how to run these spaces. NAC supports the aspirations of the arts industry. Partnering SLA, the five heritage units at Kampong Java are restored so artists can now manage and have even more suitable spaces that support and bring out the best in their practices. NAC will continue to seek out and work with partners to diversify and unlock spaces for the arts.”

Carrie Wong, Director, Business Planning and Development Division/SLA said: “SLA proactively engages industry players and public agencies to pivot State properties for a range of community uses – be it for arts, sports or lifestyle. Such adaptive reuse efforts are a sustainable way to breathe a new lease of life to our State properties and can add vibrancy to the precinct. We look forward to receiving quality proposals for the tender.”

Interested tenderers can submit their proposals via SLA’s State Property Online Information (SPIO) portal here. More information and updates on the space available here