A neighbourhood outing might not usually include Bharatanatyam, Chinese opera, Malay dance and Eurasian folk songs on the same programme, but that’s exactly what ArtsEverywhere @ CDC is bringing to communities across Singapore.

Now in its third year, the nationwide initiative is transforming familiar community spaces into vibrant cultural destinations, making the arts more accessible while celebrating Singapore’s multicultural identity. This year’s edition places diversity centre stage, with performances and hands-on activities designed to encourage residents to discover different traditions together.

Launched at Our Tampines Hub on 4 July, the event featured Aneka Ragam Rakyat Reimagined, a contemporary tribute to the community cultural concerts that were popular in Singapore during the 1960s. The showcase brought together Bharatanatyam by Apsaras Dance Company, Malay dance by Era Dance Theatre, Chinese opera by Re Xin Opera Association and Eurasian folk songs by The Music Men.

Away from the main stage, visitors were invited to become part of the experience. Families built colourful miniature shophouses during an interactive workshop by artist collective PLAY!, posed for photographs in traditional performance costumes and followed the lively sounds of a roving brass band performing nostalgic tunes from the 1960s.

Since its launch in 2024, ArtsEverywhere @ CDC has staged more than 500 performances featuring established arts groups and street performers, reaching over 154,000 residents across Singapore. According to post-event surveys, nine in 10 attendees said the programmes made their neighbourhoods livelier, while eight in 10 felt they had gained a greater appreciation of cultures different from their own.

For Ms Low Yen Ling, Mayor of South West District and Chairman of the Mayors’ Committee, that growing appreciation is exactly what the programme was designed to achieve.

“Since it started in 2024, ArtsEverywhere @ CDC has brought quality arts experiences into the heart of our neighbourhoods,” she says. “It has enlarged our residents’ appreciation of the arts as they enjoy performances near their homes amid their daily lives. Our neighbourhoods have also become more vibrant.”

She adds that the next phase of the initiative will bring performances to even more community spaces, with the aim of using “the power of the arts to bridge communities, bond our people and celebrate Singapore’s multicultural diversity”, while also supporting the growth of local artists and arts workers.

The expansion reflects a broader vision shared across the Community Development Councils.

“ArtsEverywhere @ CDC brings the arts into our everyday spaces, making it easier for residents to experience and enjoy,” says Mr Baey Yam Keng, Mayor of North East District. “By doing so, we are building a greater appreciation of our local arts groups and artists, and supporting a vibrant and thriving arts sector in Singapore.”

He encourages residents to immerse themselves in the performances and create shared moments with family and friends.

For Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Mayor of South East District, the programme is equally about strengthening connections between communities.

“ArtsEverywhere @ CDC celebrates our multicultural heritage in the most vibrant way possible, best celebrated together,” he says. “With the arts experiences right in our heartlands and communities, residents get opportunities to connect, learn from one another, and take pride in the rich tapestry of cultures that make Singapore home.”

Those connections are something performers experience firsthand. “As a vocalist and band leader, being part of ArtsEverywhere @ CDC has been a truly meaningful experience,” says jazz singer Rudy Djoe. “Every performance is an opportunity to share our music with the community and witness the joy of people singing along, dancing and reminiscing through songs that have become part of their lives.”

“A performance may last an hour,” he adds, “but the memories it creates can last a lifetime.”

For artists, the programme also opens doors to audiences who may be encountering certain art forms for the first time. “The experience has been very fruitful, especially when audience members were able to engage with the performances through our interactive segments,” says Kavitha Krishnan, co-founder and artistic director of Maya Dance Theatre. “This gave the public a deeper appreciation for the art forms, helping build a more informed audience for artists and arts groups.”

Residents have also embraced the community-centred approach. Retiree Chris Lo says attending performances close to home has deepened his appreciation of the arts, while resident Sonali Medakkar recalls being captivated by a contemporary interpretation of traditional Indian dance during a neighbourhood Family Day event—an experience that inspired her to encourage others to attend future performances.

Looking ahead, ArtsEverywhere @ CDC will continue expanding across Singapore with more performances celebrating traditional and cross-cultural art forms, including dance, music and puppetry, at locations such as Ang Mo Kio Central Stage, Kovan Hub and Parc Point.

Whether it’s discovering a new cultural tradition, revisiting familiar songs from decades past or simply spending an afternoon with neighbours, ArtsEverywhere @ CDC is proving that some of Singapore’s richest arts experiences are happening not inside theatres, but right in the heart of its neighbourhoods.

More information about ArtsEverywhere@CDC available here