National Arts Council

🧧✨We recently gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year as #OneNAC.   The festivities kicked off with an exhilarating lion dance performance, bringing good fortune and high spirits to our office. The air filled with laughter as colleagues gathered around tables of lohei, tossing to prosperity and good health amidst choruses of auspicious wishes. Some of us had a chance to write couplets using traditional ink and red paper, creating meaningful keepsakes to take home.   We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Recreation and Social Committee for organising this wonderful celebration, and to all our colleagues who made time to join in the fun. Here's to a prosperous and harmonious Year of the Snake! 🐍🍊

Arts educators are vital to the arts ecosystem. Beyond teaching artistic skills, they help develop new arts audiences, and nurture future arts professionals and cultivate patrons who appreciate and support the arts. 💡 At the ‘Teaching through the Arts with Aliza Sarian’ workshop held last September, artists learnt about expanding their teaching practice through the lens of developing the whole person – such as how to integrate arts with social-emotional learning. Aliza Sarian is a dramaturg and arts educator herself, who is currently based in Canada and has years of arts education experience under her belt. The workshop was organised by National Arts Council’s Arts Resource Hub (ARH), which supports Self-Employed Persons (SEPs) with opportunities for career development in the arts. With one in two arts professionals in the arts education field operating as SEPs, such workshops are  valuable for upskilling and professional development. Check out some of the key takeaways from the session at go.gov.sg/arhconnects and don’t miss out on other ARH programmes where you can learn from and network with other creative professionals.

As our arts and culture landscape continues to evolve, we will need trailblazers and visionaries to drive the development of our #CreativeEconomy. We are looking to nurture our next generation of changemakers with the NAC Arts Scholarship. Don’t miss this chance to deepen your knowledge and skills through arts and arts-related undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Singapore and beyond. The National Arts Council is also committed to supporting scholars beyond completion of their studies with networking and training opportunities. This could be your chance to create a positive impact in #OurSGArts for everyday Singaporeans 💡 Apply by 3 Apr, 5pm: https://lnkd.in/gHtTA6qg 

The National Arts Council empowers artistic talent in #OurSGArts in many ways. Supporting our artists through grants play a pivotal role in fostering innovation and enabling artists to push boundaries. "Amalgamation" by the National Contemporary Ballet exemplifies this. Helmed by Jeffrey Tan, the production boldly fused ballet with contemporary dance, showcasing the genre's versatility while preserving its elegance. Read the full interview to learn more about the production and how NAC supports artistic excellence: https://lnkd.in/g-nAk43F

Today, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lim Tze Peng, Singapore's oldest active artist. Over his 50-year career, Lim's innovative approach to ink painting and calligraphy left an indelible mark on Singapore's artistic landscape. Awarded the Cultural Medallion in 2003, Lim's journey in art was remarkable. Drawing inspiration from French Impressionists, he became proficient with the established techniques of Chinese brush and inks. In 1951, he became a school principal and rigorously persevered in his practice of art. Between 1961 and 1970, Lim joined the Ten Men Group, a group of art teachers and artists led by artist Yeh Chi Wei. He also embarked on painting expeditions around Southeast Asia, where he was introduced to pioneering painters in art, including Cheong Soo Pieng and Chen Wen Hsi. He is also well-known for inventing his own distinct style of calligraphy, '糊涂字' or 'muddled writing'. An alumnus of Chung Cheng High School, his generous contribution of over a hundred pieces of his personal works led to the establishment of the Lim Tze Peng Art Gallery in 2014. He was conferred the National Day Award Meritorious Service Medal for his illustrious service to the nation in 2016. Lim has also exhibited widely in Singapore, Paris, Tokyo, Taiwan, Hong Kong and London. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Lim Tze Peng's family and loved ones. While his presence will be sorely missed, his passion and dedication to the arts will continue to inspire generations to come. The National Gallery Singapore is currently hosting “Becoming Lim Tze Peng” from 25 Oct 2024 to 23 Mar 2025, an exhibition that celebrates his artistic journey. We encourage all to visit to honour his memory and experience the breadth and depth of his legacy. Image credits: National Gallery Singapore

Spot a new public artwork dedicated to Singapore’s sporting history in Tanjong Pagar!    As part of Singapore Art Week 2025, SportSG officially launched the Yan Kit Pool Heritage Gallery and Mural. Designed by artist Aida Sa'ad, the mural is a reinterpretation of a 1950s mural at the former Yan Kit Swimming Pool. It features a fun underwater scene with native marine wildlife and incorporates the unique ticket counter grill design, reflecting the vibrant recreational purpose of Yan Kit Playfield.   We love how Aida’s artwork has livened up the neighbourhood, transforming the playfield into a visual landmark for residents and visitors. Next time you're in Tanjong Pagar, stop by to admire the mural and learn more about the history of Tanjong Pagar!

Over the past six months, the heartlands transformed into vibrant spaces of creativity and connection through the ArtsEverywhere@CDC initiative. 🎭 Together with the People's Association, the five Community Development Councils, artists and community partners, we have fostered a deeper appreciation for #OurSGArts. We’re excited to return in February with more captivating performances and hands-on workshops! Visit https://lnkd.in/gRKs27Rw for more details.

Happy Lunar New Year! 🧧✨ Usher in the Year of the Snake with Master Calligrapher Yong Cheong Thye and #OurSGArts. Watch as his graceful paintbrush strokes bring our familiar festive greetings to life. 🍊 Here’s to a joyous and prosperous year ahead! #OurSGArts

[📣#OpenCall] Nominations for the Cultural Medallion and Young Artist Award (CMYAA) 2025 are open! As Singapore’s highest arts accolades, the awards celebrate visionaries in the arts who chart new frontiers and whose artistic excellence contributes to the development of our nation’s diverse arts and cultural landscape. Artists play a critical role in our #CreativeEconomy, and CMYAA is part of National Arts Council’s efforts in recognising our artists in their pursuit of artistic excellence. Whether emerging or established, nominate your cultural heroes in #OurSGArts for the 2025 CMYAA. Nominations are open until 21 March: go.gov.sg/cmyaa-2025

Singapore Art Week 2025 has come to a close - what a journey it has been!    As with every #SGArtWeek, this year’s edition elevated #OurSGArts ecosystem to greater heights. With over 160 events across the city, participating organisations and partners presented creative and innovative arts experiences for artists, audiences, collectors and industry professionals in Singapore and around the world.    Highlights included Light to Night Singapore in the Civic District, ART SG at Marina Bay Sands and S.E.A. Focus at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. The 3rd edition of SAW x PAssionArts also fostered community co-creation through meaningful visual art installations across five neighbourhoods.   Click through for a look of what went down at #SAW2025. A heartfelt thank you to all our supporters and partners for making this possible, thank you for joining us this year! We hope to see you at #SAW2026, happening from 22 to 31 Jan 2026.   #ArtTakesOver