By Amelia Tan

A BURGEONING arts scene has opened up more job opportunities for digital animators, actors, dancers and film-makers.

The many animation and design studios opening here, a Universal Studios theme park in one of the integrated resorts, and an art and exhibition gallery in the upcoming mega shopping mall Ion Orchard are creating these job opportunities, noted Education Minister Ng Eng Hen yesterday.

'But the sum effect is much more - a change in the image of Singapore...We will need more professionals who can contribute to the varied tastes and lifestyles as Singapore becomes an even more cosmopolitan city,' he said in his speech at the LaSalle College of the Arts convocation ceremony held yesterday at the Suntec convention centre.

Employment statistics cited by LaSalle president and chief executive officer Lee Suan Hiang confirmed that things are looking up for creative arts graduates: A survey done last year showed that almost 90 per cent of graduates polled found jobs within three months of graduating.

The number of arts-related companies and societies registered here has almost doubled in the last decade to 794.

Nearly 27,000 arts activities and 7,450 performances were held last year and almost 1.5 million people attended a ticketed performance.

The dean of the faculty of media arts, Mr Wolfgang Muench, said that to prepare students for careers in a changing arts industry, faculty members regularly consulted industry professionals when courses were being designed.

Film major Boo Junfeng, 25, who graduated yesterday with first-class honours in his Bachelor of Arts course, also picked up the inaugural McNally Award for Excellence in Arts for being the overall top student. It is named after LaSalle's founder, Brother Joseph McNally.

Mr Boo, who won multiple awards for his film Keluar Baris in the 21st Singapore International Film Festival held in April, said he gained a lot from the college's requirement that students of different disciplines such as film, theatre, music and dance work together in projects.

'This allowed me to experiment with new techniques and enhance the way I tell stories in my films,' he said.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Sept 4, 2008.