20/50: The Substation

Originally a power sub-station that became vacant, The Substation became Singapore's first independent contemporary arts centre in 1990 under the vision of its founder, playwright and theatre director Kuo Pao Kun. As a community-funded, non-profit arts centre with a focus on experimental arts, it quickly became a critical space for budding artists who lack money or influence to experiment and grow. In a results-driven country, The Substation is made more important because it takes an antithetical approach by valuing the process of creating and experimenting with art rather than the end product. As founder Kuo said, "a worthy failure is more valuable than a mediocre success."

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