Annual Report 2012/2013 CONTENTS 2 Highlights for FY2012 14 Board Members 16 Corporate Information 17 Organisational Structure 18 Corporate Governance 20 Grants & Capability Development 24 Giving 32 Donations & Acquisitions 38 Publications FY2012 was an exciting year of new developments. On 1 November 2012, we came under a new ministry – the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Under the new ministry, we aspire 40 Financial Statements to deepen our conversations and engagements with various sectors. We will continue to nurture Statement by Board Members an appreciation for Singapore’s diverse and multicultural heritage and provide platforms for Independent Auditors’ Report community involvement. Financials A new family member, the Language Council joined the NHB family and we warmly welcome Notes to Financial Statements them. Language is closely linked to one’s heritage and the work that the LCS does will allow NHB to be more synergistic in our heritage offerings for Singaporeans. In FY2012, we launched several new initiatives. Of particular significance was the launch of Our Museum @ Taman Jurong – the first community museum in Singapore’s heartlands. The Malay Heritage Centre was re-opened with a renewed focus on Kampong Gelam, and the contributions of the local Malay community. The Asian Civilisations Museum also announced a new extension, which will allow for more of our National Collection to be displayed. Community engagement remained a priority as we stepped up our efforts to engage Singaporeans from all walks of life – heritage enthusiasts, corporations, interest groups, volunteer guides, patrons and many more, joined us in furthering the heritage cause. Their stories and memories were shared and incorporated into a wide range of offerings including community exhibitions and events, heritage trails, merchandise and e-books. Some of these were the Trading Stories: Conversations with Six Pioneering Tradesmen exhibition, Kampong Glam Heritage Trail and the Monumental Weddings – Wedding Portraits at National Monuments exhibition. 2013 marks a significant milestone as NHB celebrated our 20th anniversary on 1 August 2013. Together, we can make Singapore’s history and culture more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, for many years to come. HIGHLIGHTS FOR FY2012 REMEMBERING DR SUN YAT SEN EXHIBITION 9 June 2012 – 3 March 2013 CHILDREN’S SEASON 2012 A collaboration between the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang 18 May – 24 June 2012 Memorial Hall (SYSNMH), local organisations and private collectors, the exhibition highlighted the Into its fifth year, Children’s Season (CS) 2012 brought a whole new level of efforts and activities of various Chinese groups experience for children, parents, educators and everyone young-at-heart. in early Singapore and the Malay Peninsula Boasting more than 80 activities at over 20 participating museums, CS 2012 in commemorating Dr Sun Yat Sen and the captured the hearts and minds of young visitors with an exciting mix of art and 1911 Revolution. Members of the community culture, as well as nurtured in them an enduring interest and passion for our contributed more than 30 rare artefacts towards shared heritage. this exhibition, most of which had never been I Children having fun at ‘5QUID’ by Ryf as part of the ‘Art Garden at SAM’ exhibition. displayed before. EMILY OF EMERALD HILL: SINGAPOREAN IDENTITY ON STAGE 1 June 2012 – 7 April 2013 One of the icons of Singapore drama, Emily of Emerald Hill has captured the imagination of thousands of theatre-goers around the world. Through its script and characters, the play gives expression to the Peranakan and Singaporean identities. PANORAMA: RECENT ART FROM CONTEMPORARY ASIA The exhibition examined the creation and 20 April – 25 December 2012 impact of the play, the genesis of Emily from Drawn entirely from the contemporary art collection of the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), the Panorama the playwright’s family background, as well series of exhibitions offers a wide lens to examine our world. It allows for a diversity of perspectives, as how it fits within the literary and theatrical charting some of the issues which pervade contemporary art-making in Asia today. This first edition of history of Singapore. Local author Stella Kon, Panorama featured 24 artists from eight countries working in painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, who wrote the play in 1982, helped in the photography and video. installation of a gallery in the exhibition based I Top: Installation shot of Governators by Leslie De Chaves as part of the Panorama exhibition at SAM. Above: Visitors viewing ‘Temple of Hope’ by on her memories of Oberon, the house on Entang Wiharso as part of the ‘Panorama’ exhibition at the SAM Chapel. Emerald Hill in which she grew up. 2 3 45-65: LIBERATION, UNREST… A NEW NATION 6 July – 18 November 2012 A collaboration between the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) and the National Museum of Singapore, 45-65: Liberation, Unrest… A New Nation brought visitors through the tumultuous period of post-war Singapore, up until our independence in August 1965. Using selected artefacts and archival materials, the exhibition illustrated the challenges overcome by the people of Singapore during those 20 years, providing a glimpse into the journey that paved the way for Singapore’s independence. JALAN BESAR HERITAGE TRAIL Launched on 4 – 5 August 2012 Reliving the atmosphere of the former New World Amusement Park, the launch of the enhanced Jalan Besar Heritage Trail was conducted over a weekend of guided tours, heritage themed activities and performances. The enhanced trail features four new heritage sites, taking visitors on a journey through the history of the district, parallel to the development of Singapore. The trail also offers insights into the life of Syed Alwee (Alwi) and the story of the road named after him, the design and restoration of the former Victoria School, and the unique Chinese-style art deco architecture of the Holy Trinity Church, among other highlights. I Then-Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim viewing a trail marker along the Jalan Besar Heritage Trail. “It is a lifetime experience. TREASURES OF THE AGA KHAN MUSEUM: A knowledgeable ARCHITECTURE IN ISLAMIC ART 19 July – 28 October 2012 and enjoyable ISLAMIC ARTS FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA: trail.” SINGAPORE HERITAGEFEST 2012 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM Mr Tonni Lim Tong Heng, former Jalan Besar 20 – 29 July 2012 7 July 2012 – 20 January 2013 resident. Exploring the diverse artistic traditions of Islamic architecture through art from On the Jalan Besar Heritage NHB’s annual signature community engagement Trail, Mr Lim shared festival, Singapore HeritageFest (SHF) 2012 was the Aga Khan Museum collection, Treasures of the Aga Khan Museum featured how life was back then, recounting memories of held over 10 days with 11 Festival and Satellite 100 objects drawn from Iran, India, Turkey, Syria, Spain and Egypt, spanning visiting the New World Hubs. Themed Recollect, Reflect and Reconnect, more than 1,000 years of artistic production in various media. The exhibition and watching the cabaret shows. the festival presented a range of exhibitions, cultural was organised by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Asian Civilisations performances, community-led trails and activities Museum (ACM). island-wide. Launched by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, The exhibition was complemented by Islamic Arts from Southeast Asia: then-Minister for Information, Communications Highlights of the Asian Civilisations Museum, an exhibition on the Islamic arts and the Arts, at Velocity@Novena Square, of Southeast Asia drawn exclusively from the National Collection. Religious the festival reached out to 1.3 million visitors works of art and secular objects from the region revealed how artistic forms who came together in celebration of Singapore’s from central Islamic lands were transformed by regional traditions. vibrant heritage and culture. I Above: His Royal Highness Prince Amyn Aga Khan (centre) is joined by then-Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim (third from right), and the organisers of the exhibition. I Top: ‘Peranakan Adventures’ exhibition at I12 Katong. Above: A Malay traditional performance at Bugis Junction. 4 5 GREAT SINGAPORE SOUVENIRS August 2012 In celebration of the nation’s birthday, MUSEUM LABEL, together with local design collectives Singapore Designed by Olivia Lee, the National Day tote bag Souvenir and FARMSTORE, launched the Great Singapore Souvenirs (GSS) in August 2012. Sharing the celebrates and reminds same acronym as the Great Singapore Sale, GSS celebrates Singapore’s heritage through the exploration us of the very day of our Nation’s independence on of local quirks and habits, and re-interprets them into merchandise that everyone can have fun with. This 9 August 1965. The design collection is about meaningful and iconic souvenirs that are unique to Singapore’s heritage, culture and also references Singapore’s independence day with the MONUMENTAL WEDDINGS – the Singaporean identity and lifestyle. iconic Chinese Almanac WEDDING PORTRAITS AT NATIONAL calendar, a fact that many Singaporeans may not MONUMENTS remember. 4 September 2012 – 4 January 2013 Several new initiatives were launched as part of the Preservation of Monuments Board’s (PMB) continued efforts to reach out to the community SINGAPORE NIGHT FESTIVAL 2012 while providing avenues for Singaporeans to find 24 August – 1 September 2012 their personal connections with our nation’s 64 national monuments. The Monumental Weddings The fifth edition of NHB’s eagerly anticipatedSingapore Night Festival hit high – Wedding Portraits at National Monuments attendance with 476,000 visitors over two weekends. The Bras Basah.Bugis exhibition was one such initiative. Held at the (BBB) Precinct was buzzing with music and dance performances including National Museum, this heart-warming exhibition the signature Homemade segment featuring the best of local bands and showcased about 150 archival and contemporary performers, and three enchanting outdoor aerial spectacles titled Fuerzabruta wedding photographs, some of which were by Argentinean group Ozono Producciones.