Did you know that the planning for the construction of the Esplanade began as far back as the 1980s? Host Serene Chen discovers more about its origins in a chat with Tisa Ho-Ng, the former Assistant Director of the Cultural Services Division, Ministry of Culture, and former Secretary of the Steering Committee for the arts centre that would become the Esplanade. They also discuss Tisa’s role in the development of state support initiatives for the arts and artists as a result of the state’s 1985 Cultural Plan, including the Arts Housing Scheme that provided state-subsidised rentals for rehearsal and work spaces for many arts companies over the years. Tisa also shares anecdotes and memories about working with various artists and arts companies through the years, and how trust, risk-taking, and honesty are core ingredients to a thriving relationship between the arts manager and artists. For transcript and references: backlogues.sg/episodes/2