1 To become a comprehensive, world-class arts institution To develop the creativity and artistic potential of our students to become excellent art practitioners and to meet the needs of a knowledge-based economy Passion • Excellence • Care 8 Chairman’s Message BECOMING BESTING 10 President’s Message 29 Administration Division 58 Nafa Graduate 13 NAFA Patron and 36 Academic Division Employment Survey Board Committees 38 Department of 3D Design 60 Nafa Scholarship Recipients 14 NAFA Board Members 40 Department of Arts 63 NAFA Benefactors 16 NAFA Senior Management Management & Education 41 Department of Dance BEHOLD 43 Department of Design 19 About NAFA & Media 20 Partner Universities 46 Department of 22 Corporate Highlights Fashion Studies 24 Outstanding Students, 48 Department of Fine Art Alumni and Lecturers 50 Department of Music 52 Department of Theatre 54 School of Young Talents n alignment with the government’s objective to do well through the winning of numerous awards of establishing Singapore as a leading education and accolades when they participated in competitions, hub, NAFA continued to engage with and partner exhibitions and community engagement projects. renowned arts universities globally to offer degree courses in Singapore. Besides the launch in Singapore of The Academy welcomed Mr Wee Ee Cheong, the Bachelor of Music (Hons) degree course offered by Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal College of Music, London, the Academy also United Overseas Bank Limited as its new Patron with established partnerships with the University of Central effect from 1 January 2012. We would like to express Lancashire, the University of East London, and the our appreciation to Mr Chan Soo Sen for his invaluable University of Essex. contribution to the Academy while he was Patron from October 2002 to December 2011. These collaborations allow for those interested to pursue a career in the arts and design the added option As the Academy enters a new phase of development, of completing their arts degree studies in Singapore. new members were appointed to the NAFA Board to help steer its growth. Mr Goh Boon Teck, Ms Low Sin To remain relevant to the needs of the rapidly evolving Leng, Mr Hoong Bee Lok, Mr Leong Weng Kam and creative industries, the Academy embarked on an Mr Low Kin Kiong have joined the NAFA Board in-depth review of the NAFA curriculum. The revamp effective 1 January 2012. focussed on offering scope without sacrifice to depth of knowledge and skills; and offered modern perspectives We are grateful for the unstinting support of Mr Leslie alongside the rich arts heritage of Southeast Asia. The Fong, Professor Hong Hai, Dr Low Hwee Boon and streamlining of the syllabus to incorporate a balance Mr Thomas Yeo, even though they have stepped down between theoretical knowledge and practical skills was as board members. Their vast experience, dedication, made in consultation with the respective departments’ and insights have greatly helped the Academy during Curriculum Advisory Committee, a specialist committee their tenure. My fellow Board members have been a comprising leading arts professionals and practitioners. constant source of inspiration and a pleasure to work with and I greatly appreciate their service and devotion The enhanced curriculum will expose students to a to nurture NAFA. range of perspectives and practices which is central to the holistic approach toward arts education that I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our NAFA espouses. numerous supporters and stakeholders; the Ministry of Education Singapore, industry partners, the media, Despite the uncertain global economic outlook which donors and benefactors of the Academy, for having impacted upon employment prospects in general, rallied around NAFA and helped make 2011 another the employment rate for NAFA graduates in 2011 fruitful year. The management, staff and lecturers have remained encouraging at 85%. Similarly, the trend of done much and worked hard in the preceding year to the overwhelming majority of our graduates securing advance NAFA’s standing as the leading arts education employment within three months upon graduation is institution. I am confident that with continued and testimony of industry’s recognition of the calibre of concerted effort, the Academy can look forward to NAFA graduates. Students and alumni have continued another rewarding year ahead. 9 e are delighted to share with you a few Our efforts in providing students with best quality firsts achieved on both academic and teaching and extensive industry exposure have been corporate fronts. NAFA became the recognised by the industry, with renewed funding first private arts education institution support from various corporate and individual donors. in Singapore to receive the four-year EduTrust certification. It was also the first to launch a government-funded The year saw fashion bigwig F J Benjamin Holdings degree programme. and the Estate of Leong Yoon Pin supporting NAFA to give arts education a big boost. Hui Chun, the annual The strategic partnership with the Royal College of Music, fundraising event during Chinese New Year also garnered London (RCM) and the EduTrust certification have further unprecedented support from artists and art lovers. uplifted the Academy’s stance as the region’s premier arts education institution, while boosting the confidence of students and their parents in terms of both its teaching quality and its administrative systems. Our partnership with RCM also saw NAFA signing an MOU with the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, to offer a seven-week international placement module for Chinese instrumental students, as part of the RCM Bachelor of Music (Hons) degree course offered in Singapore. During this period, we also stepped up efforts to better The Academy continued to recruit and nurture a high- connect with our alumni. Besides alumni gatherings, quality faculty. The year saw celebrated home-grown exhibitions showcasing the artworks of outstanding conductor, Lim Yau joining NAFA. Lecturers were alumni such as Cultural Medallion recipients, encouraged to apply for the NAFA Postgraduate Study Chng Seok Tin, Wee Beng Chong and Tay Chee Toh, Sponsorship Programme to sharpen their technical and and up and coming artist Boo Sze Yang, were organised. pedagogical skills. In financial year 2011, another three academic staff benefitted from the programme, bringing I would like to thank Chairman Professor Cham Tao Soon the total number of beneficiaries to 38. and the Board of Directors for their insightful guidance, staff, students, parents and alumni for their unwavering Our students benefitted from a wide range of learning support. To stay ahead of the intense competition in a opportunities through our collaborations with industry rapidly evolving education and arts landscape, NAFA has partners and the community. Through national and to uphold its spirit of innovation and work relentlessly to international competitions, unique partnerships, as well chart new grounds. I am confident that, with a concerted as workshops and masterclasses by renowned artists effort and through working in tandem with the NAFA from all over the world, students were further exposed Board, the Academy will continue to be a pillar of to both traditional and contemporary arts practices. excellence for arts education. 11 Wee Ee Cheong EXECUTIVE CoMMITTEE ESTATES & ASSETS CoMMITTEE Chairman Chairman Prof Cham Tao Soon Hoong Bee Lok Members Members Hoong Bee Lok Lee Seng Suan Liew Shin Liat Liew Shin Liat Prof Lim Hock Low Kin Kiong Prof Phua Kok Khoo Poh Choon Ann FINANCE & AUDIT CoMMITTEE Chairman ACADEMIC CoMMITTEE Liew Shin Liat Chairman Members Prof Lim Hock Peter Lam* Members Lee Seng Suan Assoc Prof Chia Wei Khuan Poh Choon Ann Goh Boon Teck Prof Hew Choy Sin Arun Mahizhnan MARKETING & Som Bte Mohd Said SPONSORSHIP CoMMITTEE Chairman Poh Choon Ann ESTABLISHMENT CoMMITTEE Members Chairman Chiang Loo Fern Prof Phua Kok Khoo Goh-Tan Choo Leng Members Lee Seng Suan Prof Hew Choy Sin Leong Weng Kam Peter Lam* Liew Shin Liat Prof Lim Hock Low Sin Leng Low Sin Leng Dr Lucy Ooi *Replaced by Arthur Poh from 25 May 2012 13 Seated (from left): Standing (from left): (Not in picture) Director Director Director Director NAFA Patron Arthur Poh Heo Tat Low Kin Kiong Assoc Prof Chia Wei Khuan Dr Lucy Ooi Chiang Loo Fern Wee Ee Cheong (from 25 May 2012) Director (Infocomm Technology Head, Department of Visual & Medical Doctor Managing Director, Deputy Chairman and Chief Deputy Director, Higher Education, Services), Singapore Institute Performing Arts, National Institute CYC The Custom Shop Executive Officer, Ministry of Education of Management of Education Director United Overseas Bank Prof Lim Hock Director FORMER Directors CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN Director, Temasek Laboratories, Lee Seng Suan FORMER NAFA Patron OF NAFA Board Prof Cham Tao Soon Poh Choon Ann National University of Singapore Partner, Lee Seng Chan & Co (till 31 December 2011) (till 31 December 2011) Chancellor and Chairman, Chairman, Poh Tiong Choon Chan Soo Sen Leslie Fong Board of Trustees, SIM University Logistics Ltd Director Director Senior Executive Vice President, Som Bte Mohd Said Goh Boon Teck Directors Marketing Division, Singapore Director Director Founder/Artistic Director, Chief Artistic Director, Toy Factory Liew Shin Liat Press Holdings Ltd Hoong Bee Lok Goh-Tan Choo Leng Sri Warisan Said Performing Arts Ltd Productions Ltd President, LSL Partners Senior Director (Office of Campus Senior