Arts Education
The arts is an integral part of all Singaporeans’ lives and exposure to the arts should begin from a young age to support a child’s holistic development, foster appreciation of other cultures, and seed the development of future arts professionals
and audiences. As such, the National Arts Council (NAC) is committed to provide all students access to quality arts learning experiences to appreciate arts and culture, acquire skills and knowledge about the arts and articulate thoughts and ideas
through the arts.
NAC Arts Education Unit works closely with the arts community and various agencies, including the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and Pre-School Anchor Operators (AOP), to provide
access to a range of well-designed arts education experiences with Singapore artists and arts groups. Through our broad-based efforts, we hope students from mainstream and Special Education (SPED) schools will be empowered by the arts and grow to
be confident, articulate and creative individuals who will contribute to society as active citizens with a deep understanding of Singapore culture.
Singapore’s reputable arts education institutions including School of The Arts, our
first national pre-tertiary specialised arts institution and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) such as LASALLE College of the Arts and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA),
polytechnics and autonomous universities also provide a strong foundation for students who are keen to pursue an education in the arts. Over the years, NAC has facilitated closer coordination and collaboration across IHLs, training partners and intermediaries
to further develop Pre-Employment Training and Continuing Education and Training programmes to meet the sector’s capability development needs.
NAC has been supporting the development of baseline pedagogy training opportunities for artists educators working with different student demographics and continues to initiate capability development programmes required based on evolving needs.
NAC takes a holistic approach to arts education in Singapore – from supporting positive first experiences in the early childhood sector, providing strategic intervention at the policy and curriculum level and deepening engagement with
schools, to building capabilities of arts educators and growing research in this area. Through these efforts, NAC hopes to develop a professional sector to support quality instruction in and through the arts for all Singaporeans.