Singaporean busker Jonathan Goh, who is at the moment based overseas, shared how he had to spend $2,000 to fly back to Singapore just to renew his busking license during a 5-minute audition because the process required him to be physically there.
Here is what he said
One of the reasons why I had to return to Singapore and spending almost $2000 on flight ticket is to renew my busking permit. In the past, the permit was valid for two years for experienced buskers, but the National Arts Council Singapore (NAC) changed it to a one-year validity for everyone after restrictions on busking were lifted last year.
I have been busking since 2014 and have been invited to perform at various festivals locally and internationally.
However, I still have to physically audition for 5 minutes before a panel of judges to assess my street performance skills.
The audition is held in the National Library Building which is unlike the environment as the street. The people on the panel are hired by the NAC, but I have never seen them in the street, and I question how much they know about busking to determine someone’s street worthiness at a totally different environment in such a short time.
Busking requires more than just good skills in your discipline. It involves the understanding of crowd control, gathering, and engagement.
The NAC busking team talks about using technology and the internet to enhance our busking experience, but the audition process seems outdated.
I understand the need for new buskers to audition physically to prove that they have an act that can work. However, for experienced buskers like myself, who have been performing in the street for years and are known, why are we required to renew our permit every year and go through the audition process?
When applying for scholarships or grants from the NAC, they require you to submit a portfolio of your works, and the interview can be done online. Why is the audition process different for busking? The auditions are always full because there are many people who want to busk, and at the same time, experienced buskers have to renew their permits.
There are many ways to assess someone’s street performance skills, as demonstrated by the Australian Melbourne busking scheme.
I have shared this idea with the NAC for years, but they only seem to make changes when there is a public outcry, if you remember Orchard Road weekend ban during Christmas.
If things continue as they are, it will only become more challenging for me to busk in Singapore, and I may need to bring my craft elsewhere. Don’t get me wrong; I am proud to be a Singaporean and being the only Singaporean street act in London Covent Garden I’m always proud to share that I am a street performer from Singapore.
The audience in Singapore is the most appreciative and supportive. However, the issue lies with the people administering the busking permit process, which seems outdated.
National Arts Council responds
A spokesperson for the NAC said that they hold physical auditions because they believe it provides “fair and open opportunities for everyone”.
They added that the NAC holds 4 auditions every year where about 300 aspiring buskers audition for the permit, including children as young as 9 and seniors as old as 80.
NAC added that they took into account how people like seniors may not have the necessary equipment for video conferencing and that it would be fairer if all the auditionees could come into the same space.
The physical auditions can also provide a more consistent and conducive environment for them to share their acts, NAC said.
The NAC also added that it all comes down to being fair to everyone.