What is the state of the arts in Singapore in 2026, and how do artists and arts workers navigate our local environment? This culture and critique panel explores the precarious balance between artistic independence and institutional reliance in a country where the government is the biggest employer and funder of the arts, and whether operating outside the system remains tenable. Across the varied mediums of performing, visual, and literary arts, panellists Cui Yin, XUE and Usha, and moderator Aditi have had to consider the sustainability of their craft, their definition of success, and their role in the ecosystem in Singapore.