Rethinking the research on both sides, now: An arts-based community engagement project on end-of-life in Singapore
Both Sides, Now (BSN), an interdisciplinary arts-based community engagement event produced by arts companies Drama Box and ArtsWok Collaborative, is a complex and dynamic project that engages with end-of-life issues in Singapore. BSN has developed over time to respond more acutely to the particularities of the Singapore context and specific locations. Researching BSN was a challenging yet highly rewarding process but were nonetheless enriched by the opportunity to navigate what this means in analysing the materials. BSN was not just effective in gaining audience interest but continues to gain support from artists, stakeholders and funders keen to sustain arts-based community engagement focusing on end-of-life issues. Most audience members interviewed felt that BSN was beneficial because it generated space for confronting an important issue that was thought-provoking yet playful, and thus non-threatening in its approach. This was seen as a way to improve community connectedness through the opportunity to listen, read and watch others share their perspectives and ideas.