December 20, 2022
35 for EMCC35 | Jacey Yeh
In this instalment of our #35forEMCC35 series, we spotlight Jacey Yeh, a former staff from NUS Centre For the Arts (CFA) from 2007 to 2010. Part of her job included working closely with the EMCC Crew programming team to plan and organise showcases. Since then, she has remained in the arts management line. She is currently serving as Senior Manager, with National Arts Council’s Engagement and Participation department, which develops and implement initiatives to drive arts participation among seniors in the community, advocates the social value of the arts, and manages the Busking Scheme.
How long have you been working in the arts management line? What are some of the roles you have taken on?
I started my journey in arts management with NUS Centre For the Arts (CFA) back in 2007, first working to nurture the CFA student groups and shifting to programme for NUS Arts Festival and the EMCC series in 2009. When I first joined NUS CFA’s Group Management team, we used to play elaborate pranks on each other during our birthdays. My cubicle was totally cleared out, items wrapped and hidden across CFA Studios and UCC office; another colleague had her cubicle filled with balloons (and she was afraid of them). We worked as hard as we played.
After leaving NUS in 2010, I joined LASALLE College of the Arts, and then the National Arts Council where I’ve been since 2015. The work in arts management is varied – I’ve had the privilege to work in various roles – from Programming at CFA, taking care of the nuts and bolts behind the scenes and seeing productions to fruition, to advancement work in LASALLE and building partnerships and community engagement in NAC.
What do you enjoy most about being on the arts administration/management line?
Working with artists to realise their artistic vision. And also being backstage! The adrenaline rush just before a show starts is like nothing else – that’s where the magic happens. I don’t run/call shows nowadays but those memories stay. Now, I find satisfaction from piloting meaningful initiatives with community partners, making sure we achieve its objectives, on budget and on time. Overall, I get an immense kick of making things happen – making magic.
What was your first impression of the EMCC series?
My very first interaction with EMCC was as an audience member, when I snuck into LT13 to catch Kit Chan! I remember being super impressed that we had a celebrity right here with us on campus and I enjoyed every fan-girly moment that evening.
My first experience with EMCC as a staff was for a Valentine’s Day themed concert by the alumni group from NUS Guitar Ensemble (Xpose) held at the NLB PLaza, in 2018, I think. The show pretty much ran itself, the student crew were very “on the ball”.
How has the experience been like working with undergraduates from EMCC Crew? Who are you still in touch with?
Most of the EMCC Crew were new to being involved in backstage work or supporting productions but they rolled with it and learnt along the way. It was like a mini-United Nations at times – it was exciting to work with students from various cultures, strive towards a common goal and forge bonds at the same time. Karen Loh, Anirban Sen (who are also NAC colleagues), and Nipuna Perera amongst the rare few I still am in touch with, that are still active in the arts.
Were there any memorable EMCC shows you saw or were involved in?
Intrigues In The Qing Imperial Court by Chinese Theatre Circle was definitely one to remember. It was a Chinese opera but performed in English! I remember being very curious how it would be done and how audience would take to it (or not).
Also Used to Love Bogdan W by Cracow Theatre Laznia Nowa, a Polish Theatre Company who brought in a contemporary play about events that happened during Communist Poland. I don’t recall the storyline much but I vividly recall that amongst the prop list was a prop gun, which caused us quite a bit of a panic in getting clearance for, as you could imagine!
Were there any inspiring mentors that you worked with on EMCC series?
Former Assistant Director at NUS CFA, Karen Loh, for sure. She empowered the team to pursue our passions, champion our pet projects and was always willing to share her knowledge. If not for her, I wouldn’t even be programming the EMCC series and working with the EMCC Crew in the first place!
What hopes do you have for EMCC Crew or its programming?
I hope that the platform continues to bring in quality acts and champion student talents to enliven campus life and inspire students through the arts. More artist-student collaboration! Student groups to be more daring in presenting original works that are meaningful and youth-centric! I hope we will see more EMCC Crew contributing their skills back to build a more vibrant arts scene, e.g as arts volunteers for festivals or in support of our local arts groups, even if they may not pursue the arts in their careers.
About #35forEMCC35
NUS Centre For the Arts is proud to commemorate 35 years of ExxonMobil Campus Concerts (EMCC) through our #35forEMCC35 series. Spotlighting 35 individuals from past and present editions of EMCC, the series showcases how EMCC has complemented these individuals’ academic and professional lives, and their hopes for EMCC in the years to come.