The Straits Times has released its Arts Power List for the year. And they are…

1. Benson Puah, CEO of NAC and The Esplanade
2. Ivan Heng and Tony Trickett, artistic director and executive director of W!ld Rice
3. Gaurav Kripalani and Charlotte Nors, artistic director and executive director of Singapore Repertory Theatre
4. Lorenzo Rudolf, fair director of Art Stage Singapore
5. Camilla Hewitson, Alan Koh, Florentine Horvath, the team behind Affordable Art Fair Singapore
6. Paul Tan, director of Singapore Writers Festival
7. Lee Chor Lin, director of the National Museum of Singapore
8. Edmund Wee, publisher of Epigram Books
9. Valentine Willie, owner of Valentine Willie Fine Art
10. Kenny Leck and Karen Wai, founders of Books Actually

It’s practically a brand new line-up. Well, relative to the previous year, that is. Only three were back, including hat-trick lister Mr Puah, who I must say deserves his top spot. Even skeptics would have to agree that the meet-the-arts community thing earlier this year was a masterstroke in public relations. But it was more than that – he hit two birds with one stone with Goodman Arts Centre, as a pilot of a new arts housing scheme and a new philosophy on artist-government relations. Community and transparency were the buzzwords. One noticeable thing on the list though is there are fewer artists on the list than last year – there’s only Heng and Tan. And, as has always been the gripe when it comes to their Power List, they’re lauded for their managerial efforts. Any thoughts? *** Meanwhile, here’s a quick train-related shout out. Yes, funny coincidence innit? The Land Transport Authority is currently holding its Downtown Line Public Art Competition. Singaporeans and PRs are invited to submit ideas for artworks for three DL (DTL?) stations. Details can be found here. And there’s a S$5,000 prize for first place and a chance to get a $50,000 commission if they decide it’s worth putting up. Check out previous works for the Circle Line here.