Most would have heard the arguments about Singapore being a relatively young country and the need to focus on economic endeavours and to slowly (but surely?) nurture talents in the arts as she gets more prosperous. This macro view, while making good economic sense, seems to have led the flock to follow one principle but ignore the other.

This humble island has grown up too quickly. Clutching on to her value system of hard work and subsequent reward, Singapore has spearheaded into an Asian Golden Age, alert, if not thoroughly prepared, to remain highly competitive, to achieve greater success. All this within 31 years. Was there ever space to cultivate some kind of culture?

Well, yes. The culture that exists today is one of survival of the fittest in a dog eat dog world. However, the endless pursuit of economic ideals has often left the competitor too breathless to look for aesthetic comfort. After a hard day's work, most people would contend with a decent meal and something on the TV.

But all this can change as generations become better educated and better off. More people will be able to appreciate the aesthetic pleasures in life and also afford these luxuries. According to the theory of demand and supply, if supply increases, the price of the good will drop. Similarly, as more and more plays, dances and concerts are brought in, ticket prices will not be another issue in the papers. It is possible for a trip to the theatre to be as commonplace as a trip to the cinema now.

Nonetheless, such things can't be left up to chance. If the National Arts Council wasn't set up, I doubt very much the existence of this year's Arts Festival, let alone previous years'. Generous sponsors like Keppel Bank would not have come forward if not for some careful and clever marketing strategies devised.

However, economic validity is more easily applied to foreign goods. Compare the sell out success of Les Miserables to the lukewarm response to Sing To The Dawn. While there is great hope and bubbles of excitement surrounding imports, the wheat fields at home seem dry. Is it a case of colonial mentality, looking up to the white men in awe of their riches? Although the West is no longer the best, can the East Asian miracle comfortably contribute to the growth of the local arts scene in Singapore? At best, it creates opportunities, whether for more imports or home-grown talents, it remains unclear. I hope for both. At worst, it makes brighter and noisier the signal to disregard the artists and to join the bandwagon of professionals.

I can hardly fathom the latter scenario. The arts not only serves at a personal level, from artist to audience, but also on a societal level, expressing the angst and frustration created by tensions brought about by the country's rapid success. Not only is the arts a social commentator, it is also a political watchdog. Theatreworks' Six of the Best acted as both by raising the scandalous Michael Fay case. Whether or not literature or performing arts which raise sensitive issues are passed by the censors depends very much on the artists' skill and subtlety.

With success behind and ahead of Singapore, what can be more important than social cohesion and national stability? It is natural that censorship boards scrutinize not only what comes in, but also what is produced here. However, I hope such checks do not develop to a point of absurdity. If we are becoming better educated and more critical in thinking, surely we can be given credit for independent sifting and retaining of new information and ideas?

Alas, may I not be slammed for knowing little and talking much, for that is my Singapore dream.

Sherrie Lee is a die-hard performer, still waiting for that big break from Broadway.Alternatively, a jazz gig would do just fine."