Instituted in 1979 by our late President, then Minister of Culture, Mr Ong Teng Cheong, the Cultural Medallion is Singapore’s highest arts accolade, honouring individuals whose artistic excellence, contribution and commitment have enriched and distinguished
Singapore’s arts and culture scene.
This award celebrates inspiring local arts practitioners who display professional maturity in their practice through a distinctive body of work, and who have made extraordinary contributions to Singapore’s artistic development and pushed boundaries in their respective fields of artistic practice, with good local and international standing and a strong display of leadership.
The Cultural Medallion is presented by the President, Republic of Singapore and administered by the National Arts Council (NAC). To date, the Cultural Medallion has been conferred on a total of 135 artists in the fields of film, literary arts, performing arts and visual arts.
Cultural Medallion Fund
Each Cultural Medallion recipient will have access to funds of up to $80,000 to support their continuous artistic pursuit and help them make a positive impact on Singapore’s arts and culture development by engaging the wider community through their projects.
This amount could be used for a single project or multiple projects over the recipient's lifetime.
For more information on the Cultural Medallion Fund, download the guidelines and the application form.
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
Ho Ho Ying
Milenko Prvacki
J. M. Sali
Jennifer Tham
Thirunalan Sasitharan
2011
Halimah Bte Jaafar (Atin Amat)
Dr Kelly Tang
Lim Yew Kuan
Yusnor Ef
2010
Amanda Heng
Dr Liang Wern Fook
Suratman Markasan
2009
Ang Ah Tee
Angela Liong
Lan Shui
Tham Yew Chin
2008
Chia Hwee Pheng
Iskandar Mirza Ismail
P. Krishnan
2007
Eric Khoo
Isa Kamari
2006
Lynnette Seah
Tan Choh Tee
2005
Chng Seok Tin
Dick Lee
Lee Wen
M. Balakrishnan (MA. Ilangkannan)
Jack Neo
2004
Teo Bee Yen
2003
Lim Tze Peng
Ong Keng Sen
Yeng Pway Ngon
2002
Professor Jeremy Monteiro
2001
Tan Kian Por
Yan Hui Chang
2000
Professor Tan Siah Kwee
1999
Abdul Ghani Bin Abdul Hamid
Chua Ek Kay
1998
Rama Kannabiran
1997
Ho Minfong
Lou Mee Wah
1996
Lew Poo Chan (Dan Ying)
Phoon Yew Tien
1995
Goh Lay Kuan
Han Sai Por
1993
Dr Tay Teow Kiat
1992
Choo Hwee Lim
Phan Wait Hong
Wang Sui Pick
Ying E Ding
1990
Anthony Poon
Chew Kok Chang
Han Lao Da
Lim Yau
Ong Kim Seng
Santha Bhaskar
Wu Peng Seng
1989
Foo Tee Jun
Goh Beng Kwan
Neila Sathyalingam
Kuo Pao Kun
1988
Alexander S. Abisheganaden
Chua Soo Bin
Iskandar Jalil
Lim Fei Shen
N. Abdul Rahman (Singai Mukilan)
Tay Bin Wee
1987
Lee Lim
Dr Max Le Blond
Muhammad Ariff bin Ahmad
Som Bte Mohd Said
Dr Tan Swie Hian
Teng Mah Seng
1986
Almahdi Al-Haj Ibrahim (Nadiputra)
Goh Choo San
Pan Shou
N. Palanivelu
Paul Abisheganaden
Teo Eng Seng
Professor Wong Yoon Wah
1985
Dr Lee Tzu Pheng
Low Ing Sing
Tan Lip Seng
Tay Chee Toh
1984
Kam Kee Yong
S. Varathan
Thomas Yeo
Yip Cheong Fun
1983
Ang Chwee Chai
Dr Arthur Yap
Christopher Allen
Vivien Goh
1982
David Tay
Georgette Chen
Dr Goh Poh Seng
Leong Yoon Pin
Lin Chen
1981
Ahmad Bin Ja'afar
Goh Soo Khim
Joanna Wu
Lee Hock Moh
Ng Eng Teng
Dr Wong Men Won @ Wong Meng Voon
1979
Bani Bin Buang
Dr Choo Hoey
David Lim
Professor Edwin Thumboo
Madhavi Krishnan
Wee Beng Chong