JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL

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EDUN N25-02-004

02703

31 May 03

JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL

LEARN@ARTS

The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the National Arts Council (NAC) are jointly organising Learn@Arts to promote the appreciation of the vibrancy and diversity of the arts in Singapore. Dr Ng Eng Hen, Acting Minister for Manpower and Minister of State for Education, will officiate at the launch. Held at the Esplanade on 31 May 2003, it will coincide with the start of the Singapore Arts Festival 2003.

2. The event's activities will allow students to explore and learn about the visual and performing arts using information technology (IT) as a learning tool. The activities range from exploring prominent art venues to viewing performances. For instance, activities held at the Esplanade include:

	a tour of the Theatre where students get to learn about its architecture; and
	a performance involving the use of different forms of puppetry at the Recital Studio.

Students will also have the opportunity of engaging in hands-on activities at Learning Stations. Some exciting activities at these stations include:

	the use of IT to create art and music;
	interactive installation using origami; and
	street theatre performance.

3. Working in a team of three, students will digitally capture their observations of the various arts venues and activities using different IT tools, and present these in the form of digital visual journals for judging in July 2003. Their HTML-based entries have to be based on the theme, which will be announced during the launch. The theme is "Experience, Discover, Reflect".

4. Students will also enjoy the privilege of accessing interesting facts about the public art and landmarks around the various art venues through the use of Multi-media Messaging Service (MMS) technology and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), made available by MobileOne Ltd.

5. Said Dr Ng Eng Hen, "Learn@Arts will certainly spark interest among our students in the Arts and provide them with the opportunity to use their IT skills in a meaningful learning experience"

6. An Information Sheet on Learn@Arts is attached. Learn@Arts is the fourth in the Learn@ Series initiated by MOE to promote the use of IT in facilitating students' learning in stimulating environments. The first three were Learn@Zoo, organised in 2000 with the Singapore Zoological Gardens, Learn@Museums, organised in 2001 with the National Heritage Board and Learn@Parks, organised in 2002 with the National Parks Board.