TAKING HEART

Empowering young artists through theatrical expression

Vivien Ang

Published Sun, May 28, 2023 · 09:13 PM

The Rice Company Ltd (TRCL) launched on Friday (May 27) Souljourn 2.0, a fundraising project that will take place in September this year.

So far, a total of S$110,000 has been raised from OCBC, Standard Chartered Bank and Chemical Industries (Far East) Limited, in partnership with The Business Times Budding Artist Fund (BT BAF). The project serves as an avenue for its alumni to generate funds and pay it forward to others with artistic abilities.

Souljourn 2.0 will showcase the journeys of individuals who have benefited from BT BAF, which believes that no child with a strong interest and potential in the arts should be denied the opportunity to develop their talents due to financial limitations.

The production aims to share stories of triumph and personal growth, ignite thought-provoking conversations and allow audiences to empathise with the lives and experiences of these individuals, fostering a sense of connection and solidarity.

Vishnucharan Naidu, the 28-year-old creative director of Souljourn 2.0, said: “Through the power of art, we aspire to unite hearts and souls, igniting a collective spark of inspiration that transcends barriers and fosters a deep sense of connection.”

Guru Simmar, 28, who is the executive producer of the initiative, added: “Being part of this programme has been immensely beneficial to me. It ignited my interest in arts management, leading me to pursue studies in this field at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. BT BAF has been instrumental in shaping my career trajectory and has brought me full circle, back to the very places that originally sparked my passion for the arts.”