2.3 Programming

Some of the programmes associated with the Singapore Biennale 2008 include the exhibition, the Vernissage, encounters with the artists, Kids' Biennale, Education and Outreach for youths and parallel events.

The word Vernissage refers to an invitation-only or private preview of an art exhibition before it opens for public viewing. It's used as a marketing tool to promote an exhibition, to introduce the artist(s) and their work to important figures in the art establishment, art collectors, and sometimes celebrity guests. Plus journalists in the hope to get some media coverage. Key events of the Vernissage include a press conference for international and local media, art professionals and government institutions, a Gala dinner and an opening party. Through the press conference, the event receives free publicity through the media when representatives publish information on it in their respective publications. The opening party includes a preview tour of the exhibition by event Artistic director and curators for representatives from the media. Favourable experience by these representatives will spell good reviews which is beneficial to the event.

The event also has education and outreach programmes to reach out to youths in secondary schools, Junior Colleges and Polytechnics to get them interested in the arts. An example of such a programme is the Biennale Race 2008. It is a competition whereby teams are required to move around either by foot or by public transport to checkpoints at the exhibition sites completing tasks related to the artworks. This not only allows them to have fun while learning how to appreciate visual arts, the top 3 winners even get to walk home with electronic gadgets like mobile phones and mp3 players. Besides this, tours of the exhibition are also organised for school excursion trips on request. By doing this, students learn to view and appreciate the arts which is inline with the objective of the Singapore Biennale 2008.

The Kids' Biennale is also one of the highlights of the event. It includes other components such as the 'on-the-spot' art competition and a puzzle called the 'The hunt for the white rabbits'. The programme also collaborates with Little Art Bug, an art school in Singapore, to design a curriculum to introduce P1-6 students to a set of art skills & concepts, the best works by the kids will be showcased at the Kids' Biennale. This is a very good program to get the children involved in the arts in an interesting and interactive manner. Also, showcasing the children's works instil in them a sense of confidence and encourages interest in art.

I recommend that more interactive programs be organised for the event; programmes which would involve the participant rather than simply just viewing the exhibits. An programme which could be organised is a lucky draw but however, in order to qualify, the participant must complete a puzzle which can only be solved by visiting various artworks in the exhibition. This makes the whole exhibition more interesting and motivates the participants to look deeper into the meanings of the artworks.

Definition from: http://painting.about.com/od/artglossaryv/g/defvernissage.htm