Press Releases and Statements

Responding to the growing importance of giving to the arts, Minister Edwin Tong said, “Arts can build connections across diverse communities, and inspire critical thinking. The strong support from patrons is an acknowledgement of the importance of arts to our society. The arts can enrich lives and shape a more inclusive society. Beyond cash donation, more have diversified in their support by offering their expertise and resources in areas like marketing, technology, and accounting. This culture of giving is essential in building a sustainable arts ecosystem – one that nurtures creativity, strengthens community bonds, and ensures the arts continue to thrive for future generations. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to new and longstanding patrons whose generosity have enabled greater access to arts to the wider community.”

The 2024 POAA also saw a significant increase of 56% in contributions, which rose from $32.1 million in 2022 to $45 million in 2023, and then to $50.2 million in 2024. Cash donations recognised at the ceremony soared by 36% from the year before, reaching $34.8 million.  

Long-time arts patron UOB is again recognised as a Distinguished Patron of the Arts (Corporate) for their outstanding contribution of $5.6 million to Singapore’s arts ecosystem. This is the highest cash contribution by a corporation this year and marks the 22^nd time the bank has been awarded Distinguished Patron status. Their steadfast dedication earned them the inaugural Honorary Patron of the Arts Award last year; this award is given to companies or individuals who have received the Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award at least 20 times. The bank continues to support organisations and programmes that champion artistic excellence and creation, while making a positive social impact through the arts. This includes partnerships for the UOB Painting of the Year, making donations to prominent local institutions such as Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), National Gallery Singapore, and ART:DIS Singapore, and supporting initiatives such as The Business Times Budding Artist Fund, and Singaporean artist Keane Tan’s art residency programme in Shanghai, China. 

Donations also went into arts projects with social impact. The UOL Group Limited, which received the Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award, funded Project OPENDOOR by ART:DIS (Singapore). This project involved six senior artists with disabilities upcycling doors from conserved Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) flats at Kampong Silat into art sculptures to be placed at the new Avenue South Residence. The installation encouraged residents and visitors to meaningfully engage with local arts and heritage, while embracing the thoughtful use of materials. 

Patrons such as Dr. Stephen Riady and Singaporean business owner George Quek, the co-founder of BreadTalk, were honoured as Distinguished Patrons of the Arts (Individual) for their contributions and for supporting The Rice Company Ltd in the creation of LKY: THE EXPERIENCE. This interactive exhibition, spanning 17,000 square feet, invited audiences to actively engage with the life and legacy of Founding Father Mr Lee Kuan Yew through interactive installations, multimedia exhibits, and hands-on activities. The resulting impact is a shared experience for Singaporeans to enjoy, significantly fostering a sense of belonging.

Our local arts community received $15.1 million in in-kind contributions last year, with many continuing to embrace diversified ways of giving. This support included corporate services such as accountancy, technology, marketing and publicity, and partnerships for F&B and accommodation. These multifaceted contributions allow artists and arts organisations to focus on presenting quality arts offerings while alleviating operational and marketing pressures. Experts from Lekker Architects donated their technological expertise and time to support the National Gallery Singapore’s research efforts in emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI), which fosters progressive art through design with heartfelt empathy and thorough research.

POAA 2024 has set a new benchmark for arts giving, with the largest number of patrons recognised in the past four decades since the award's inception in 1983. At the same time, the number of new awardees has also surged by 67% compared to the previous year, reaching the highest level post-pandemic.

Among the first-time patrons, Frasers Property Retail Management Pte Ltd was honoured as a Friend of the Arts for their cash donation to the National Gallery Singapore’s Gallery Outreach programme, which engages the public through participatory and interdisciplinary exhibitions and activities that support diverse learning interests. Additionally, Friend of the Arts Award recipient Bank of America funded the National Gallery Singapore’s conservation of Chen Wen Hsi’s Gibbons, a national treasure familiar to all as one of the works depicted on Singapore’s $50 note. 

Beyond monetary donations, giving to the arts through in-kind sponsorship by first-time patrons have also made the arts more accessible. In the visual arts sector, Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award recipient Hallam Chow donated four artworks to the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), which is the largest single artwork donation the museum has received to date and includes works by prominent Asian artists including Sun Xun, Nishio Yasuyuki, Tehching Hsieh, and The Propeller Group. Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award recipient Sameer Sain and family’s donation of Hungry God (2005 - 2006) by Subodh Gupta is a significant addition to SAM’s expanding collection of South Asian contemporary works, and will be unveiled at SAM’s new collection gallery in 2025. Renowned internationally for his acrylic and ink paintings, Hong Zhu An donated 22 of his own artworks to the National Gallery Singapore, which has earned him a Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award. These contributions not only increase public access to private collections but also help preserve artistic legacies within the public sphere. 

New patron Yahssir M was also recognised as a Friend of the Arts for providing his expertise in filming, editing, audio recording, and post-production for Maya Dance Theatre Ltd’s SEEDS Here. Not Here trailers and ‘Behind the Seeds’ video interview series. Such diverse forms of giving — ranging from artwork donations to the sharing of skills — bridge the gap between private and public arts experiences, raising arts literacy and expanding access to prominent artistic practices.

Giving in support of artistic endeavours fosters pride towards our arts ecosystem. According to the 2023 Population Survey on the Arts, 3 in 4 Singaporeans acknowledge the arts' role in enhancing the quality of life and enriching experiences beyond material wealth. Arts philanthropy empowers artists and organisations to create and enables the public even more access to impactful programmes. In turn, as more people participate in and give to the arts, a sustainable cycle of giving is established, marked by continuous exchanges of resources like financial contributions, mentorship, and creative collaboration. This enriches the creative economy and demonstrates how arts support can enhance individual well-being and deepen our connection to the world. These trends indicate a positive outlook and a maturing arts scene, as seen from a broader recognition of the arts’ importance and an increased willingness to invest in a sustainable and thriving cultural landscape.

Mr Low Eng Teong, Chief Executive Officer of NAC, said, “Arts patronage has been instrumental in the growth of Singapore’s arts sector. When individuals and corporations unite in their support, they help make arts experiences even more accessible to all while fostering deeper connections with one another. We strongly encourage more to join us in enhancing the social impact of the arts. Together, we can champion our local talents and grow audiences as part of the cycle of giving to create a vibrant and sustainable arts scene.”

The Patron of the Arts Awards was instituted in 1983 to recognise organisations and individuals that have contributed towards the promotion of cultural and artistic activities in Singapore. The Patron of the Arts Awards 2024 recognises contributions made between 1 January and 31 December 2023.