Celebrating Australia and Singapore’s cultural ties

From 3–4 November 2025, we hosted the 10th Australia-Singapore Arts Group (ASAG) meeting and 5th Cultural Leaders' Forum (the Forum) in Adelaide. We worked closely with Singapore's Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the Adelaide Festival Centre to deliver the events.

The ASAG is underpinned by the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Arts and Culture signed by Singapore and Australia in 2015 to signal our vision for strengthened cultural cooperation. At this year's ASAG meeting, Australia and Singapore formally renewed our ASAG partnership for a third term, from 2026 to 2030.

As ASAG's cornerstone event, the Forum supported the strengthening of cultural ties between Australia and Singapore, whilst celebrating the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relationship.

The Forum was co-convened by Mr Phil Smith, Acting Deputy Secretary for Creative Economy and the Arts and Dr Lee Tung Jean, MCCY Deputy Secretary for Culture and Sports. Over 100 industry leaders from Singapore and Australia attended across a diversity of sectors, including:

• dance and performing arts
• theatre (including for young audiences)
• music
• galleries
• libraries
• archives and museums
• training organisations
• writing
• screen
• peak bodies and advocacy groups.
• venues, festivals and producers.

The Forum provided a space for participants to discuss shared opportunities and challenges, including on career and organisational sustainability and emerging technology.

This year's event inspired partnerships, collaborations, and creative exchanges, building upon the recently agreed Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 2.0 2025–2035, which includes recognition of the importance of arts and culture for Australia, Singapore and our bilateral relationship.