From 30 August to 13 September 2024, SMU's campus was transformed into an exhilarating playground of artistic expression with SMU Arts Fest 2024. Themed "PLAY," this year’s festival embraced spontaneity, joy, and limitless imagination through innovative cross-disciplinary collaborations that left attendees inspired and delighted. The Festival’s Gala Opening on 30 August was graced by special guests and featured rousing performances that set the tone for three weeks of vibrant creativity.
Power in Partnerships
This year’s festival reached new heights through collaborations, highlighting the collective power of art to create extraordinary experiences. As SMU President Professor Lily Kong noted in her welcome remarks at the Festival’s Gala Opening, SMU’s location in the heart of the city allows the university to contribute to the vibrancy of the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct. SMU’s Campus Green often buzzes with excitement during key events like National Day celebrations, Patron’s Day, and Open House. This year marks SMU’s second collaboration with the National Heritage Board’s Singapore Night Festival, further connecting the university with the wider community. Collaborating with institutional partners such as Republic Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, SMU is proud to showcase the creativity of its students and looks forward to deepening these partnerships in the years to come.
A Dynamic Celebration of Art, Learning and Life
With four standout productions and a captivating fringe event, the festival drew an impressive 20,000 attendees. This event was made possible by the dedication of 470 participants, including 340 SMU undergraduates from 15 student clubs, 30 alumni, and 100 students from Singapore’s polytechnics. The creative pulse of SMU was on full display, powered by participating SMU Arts Clubs - SMU Eurhythmix, SMU Samba Masala, SMU Caderas Latinas, SMU VOIX, SMU Stereometa, SMU Funk Movement, SMU Ardiente, SMU SoundFoundry, SMU Stageit, SMU Symphonia, SMU Chamber Choir, SMU Artdicted, SMU Literati, SMUSAIC, and SMU Broadcast & Entertainment.
The Festival provided valuable learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Student performers showcased their artistic talents, while other participants developed valuable skills in hosting, backstage production, marketing, and collaboration. By fostering community relations, encouraging collaboration, and sparking creative growth, the event embodied key pillars of the SMU Resilience Framework—Social, Emotional, and Intellectual Resilience.
Below are some highlights and memorable moments:
The Festival garnered much positive feedback from attendees. MCCY Permanent Secretary Ms Teoh Zsin Woon, described her experience at the Gala Opening as “fantastic, amazing, and dazzling,” while Ms Chong Yiun Lin, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the event’s vibrancy and emphasised the value of bringing students and the public together to showcase their collective talents. Mr Lim Eng Hwee, CEO of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, commended the festival for being a “meaningful addition to the city’s nightlife.” He added that the energy of the crowd was palpable and called for more of such events to be held in the future.
Till next year, let us keep the spirit of SMU Arts Fest 2024 alive by continuing to explore the art of play and its limitless possibilities.