SHOUT OUT #1 Would you like to feel like a tai-tai or a towkay for a couple of minutes? It’s as simple as clicking on The Big Arts Give! Been meaning to put up this shout out for this weeklong “let’s give to the arts” project that kicked off on Monday and runs until Sunday. Basically, BAG was initiative by NAC’s Arts And Culture Development Office and some 85 arts and culture groups on the give2arts.sg portal aimed at encouraging public donations to these groups. It’s the first time they’re doing it and they’ll see if it picks up steam. Looks like it – since the portal opened in February last year, it has received S$150,000. How does it work? Well, you just, erm, donate. You can choose who to donate your precious hard-earned money to (the minimum is S$2). You won’t get a plaque of recognition or anything, but you stand a chance to win freebies. *** SHOUT OUT #2 This is cutting it close. The annual 24-Hour Playwriting Competition by TheatreWorks will be held next weekend, July 9 and 10, at Pulau Ubin and the deadline for applications is… today. Eep. If I didn’t have anything on next weekend, I’d probably jump at this chance. Register now here. Any questions, call them up at 6737 7213. And yes, transportation and, ahem, “sustenance” will be provided. *** SHOUT OUT #3 Here’s another way you can contribute to the arts scene – buy their stuff. minimART, an art market for local young contemporary artists and collectors, will happen this Saturday, July 2, from 10am to 9pm at the Substation’s classrooms and and dance studios. The original works – from paintings to installation to new media – are all going for less than S$1,000.  For details, you can email minimartsg [at] gmail.com (minimartsg[at]gmail[dot]com) or drop by here or here.