We need more people supporting the ESP!!!!! (unfortunately, i don't work for the ESP so i don't benefit from this free ad. haha)

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Esplanade in the black after Govt grants
~ The Straits Times dated 20 September 2004 Monday

THE Esplanade on Monday reported better-than-expected financial results for its first full year of operations ending March 31, 2004.

The non-profit, public-funded arts centre had a balance of S$8.1 million after its S$31.5-million operating deficit was offset by government grants totalling S$39.6million.

This was an improvement over the previous financial year. In its first six months of operation from October 2002 to March 2003, the durian-domed centre posted an overall deficit of S$3.7million - even with government grants.

Chairman of the Esplanade's board of directors Edmund Cheng and Esplanade Chief Executive Officer Benson Puah attributed the savings for the 2003/2004 financial year to belt-tightening measures enforced as a result of Sars, terrorism scares and a weak business environment.

In the face of some Sars-related programme cancellations by overseas groups last year, Mr Puah said, the arts centre stepped up community programmes to bring in the audiences.