I missed much of Minister Lui Tuck Yew's speech during the Budget debates in Parliament earlier today. But you can read the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts' big boss' speech on strategies for the arts this year and beyond here. Some talking points: 1. An average of $80 million a year will be spent on the arts for the next five years (half of which goes to building new audiences and supporting "community arts and culture initiatives"). 2. Possible "network" of heartland performing arts centres. 3. More arts-related programmes on TV. 4. Plans for a "community arts and culture fund". 5. The title of the speech is something about building an "endearing home through arts and culture." Not sure about the word "endearing". That's like your grandmother, isn't it? There's a whole lot more (more or less), with the magic word being "community" (it keeps popping up in every other paragraph). Have a read. Let us know what you think. I'll do the same soon. Ciao.