NTU CCA closes its shows and residencies programmes
After seven years in business, the future of one of Singapore’s most important art spaces is in doubt. NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore (NTU CCA), headed by German curator Ute Meta Bauer, will halt its exhibitions and residencies programmes at the city-state’s Gillman Barracks arts cluster from March 2021, according to a post on its website about its upcoming online benefit auction.
NTU CCA, which hosts exhibitions and residencies and runs an active roster of programmes including workshops, film screenings, performances and conferences, is one of the most influential arts institutions in Southeast Asia. It has hosted solo exhibitions by important artists such as Amar Kanwar, Joan Jonas, Allan Sekula, Yang Fudong and Charles Lim. Its final exhibition will be on the films of Vietnamese-American academic-filmmaker Trinh T. Minh-ha, running from 17 October to 28 February.
On its website, NTU CCA stated that the centre’s exhibition hall at Block 43, and the residency studios at Block 37 and 38, will close. Part of the Nanyang Technological University, NTU CCA is described as a national research centre of the tertiary institution. The centre is funded by the university and Singapore’s Economic Development Board.
NTU CCA’s upcoming online auction aims to raise funds for two projects: a digitisation of the institute’s records, and a publication titled Climates. Habitats. Environments, a book that engages with the climate crisis – the institute’s current research focus. The auction website goes live on 17 September, and is open for bidding from 1 to 18 October.
In a statement to ArtReview, NTU CCA said that it was not closing, but that ‘the current environment is not easy for many sectors including those in arts and culture. Many are looking at how to navigate in the new normal, and the CCA is no different. The CCA is going through a period of transition and transformation of its longer-term capabilities for the post COVID-19 recovery. The Centre is currently working on a digital archive and print publication documenting the Centre’s programmes and initiatives.’
The statement goes on to say: ‘ The digital archive will augment NTU’s efforts in arts research. It will also continue to support artists and arts organisations to present their work to local and regional audiences. In light of the current situation, the CCA will focus more on virtual events in order to reach out to larger audiences locally, regionally and internationally. CCA will retain its Public Resource Centre, its administrative and research facilities at Gilman Barracks but is looking at diversifying the locations of its exhibition and other activities, and increase its presence at NTU main campus and other NTU locations. It will not extend its lease of block 43, its exhibition hall and blocks 37 and 38, its residency studios.’
