Student Orientation 2024

T. Sasitharan, Director and Co-Founder of Intercultural Theatre Institute

The title of this talk echoes, arguably, one of the most important essays ever written about art, art history and modernity; about what artistic value means in a moment of unprecedented moral crisis. A moment when everything humanity had held sacred and true, of art and of life, is upended and questioned. Walter Benjamin was a genocide victim. Does it matter he wasn’t killed in a concentration camp, had escaped “arbeit macht frei"? We too, in Southeast Asia (and elsewhere), are alive at a time of an unmatched moral crisis; old alliances fall apart, old friends are now foes, the ‘centre cannot hold’. What should the work of art be now? What is the onus of the artist now, witnessing genocide and climate catastrophe? In an age of ‘post-truth’ politics, with the media in bed with the highest bidder and unchecked plutocratic power? What succour, if not answer, could art offer? Is making art even moral in the shadow of apartheid, dispossession and settler colonialism? If not consolation or solution, can art (and artists) at least hold on to the hope of answering the old woman who asked Anna Akhmatova: “Could one ever describe this?”. Would mere description suffice?

 

We are navigating an era defined by unprecedented extremes: ideological polarisation, transformative AI, environmental degradation, and a citizenry whose attention is fragmented by relentless information streams. In this context, the arts offer a vital pathway for critical reflection and processing on how to move forward. This panel explores how arts pedagogies can transcend traditional instruction, leveraging the arts as a potent force to engage and challenge diverse publics, facilitating deep reflection on the pressing issues of our time. Drawing on the experience of practitioners from various formal and informal arts education settings, both locally and regionally, this panel will engage in a process of imagining critical pedagogical possibilities within varied modalities and learning spaces.

The panellists are invited to respond to questions such as:

• What types of artists and arts workers does the world need today? What skills, knowledge and disposition are important for our students' careers, and to enable them to realise agency within a rapidly changing world?
• In what ways do emerging issues challenge and present new opportunities for arts pedagogies?
• How do informal spaces of learning open up opportunities for alternative modes of pedagogy and social engagement?

Panellists:
Ade Darmawan, Director, Ruangrupa, Indonesia
Wendy Chua, Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Design for Social Futures, LASALLE
Susie Lingham, Independent artist, Curator, and Educator, Singapore
Riduan Zalani, Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Nadi Singapura
Shahrin Johry, Founder, Under the Bridge Collective
Woo Yen Yen, Programme Leader, MA Arts Pedagogy and Practice, LASALLE

Moderator:
Michael Tan Koon Boon, Dean, Research and Knowledge Exchange, Research Division, NAFA

 

 

11am - 11.50am Auditorium

The University of the Arts Singapore and Higher Arts Education Today — A Dialogue with UAS Leaders Speakers: Professor Kwok Kian Woon Vice-Chancellor, University of the Arts Singapore Professor Steve Dixon Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of the Arts Singapore President, LASALLE College of the Arts Mrs Tan-Soh Wai Lan Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of the Arts Singapore President, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts

12pm - 12.45pm Auditorium

Employability in the Creative Industries Speaker: Steve Golden Director, Partnerships & Engagement (Industry & Career Services)

 

 

 

12pm – 12.45pm Meeting Room 3.1	LASALLE admissions talk LASALLE College of the Arts offers 36 Diploma, BA (Hons) and postgraduate programmes across the full spectrum of arts and design disciplines that prepare graduates for sustained and successful careers in the creative industries. Join our admissions talk as we share more about LASALLE’s degree programmes and their entry requirements. Speaker: Nur Aidah Binte Munjiat Senior Manager, Student Recruitment, Division of Admissions
12pm – 12.45pm Training Room 1-2	Arts management, leadership and the creative industries: BA (Hons) Arts Management MA Arts and Cultural Leadership Learn more about the unique features of the BA (Hons) Arts Management and MA Arts and Cultural Leadership programmes. This talk will cover the knowledge and skills you will develop through your studies, followed by a Q&A to get your questions answered. Speakers: Dr Natalia Grinchevav Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Arts Management Audrey Wong Programme Leader, MA Arts and Cultural Leadership
12pm – 12.45pm Training Room 3-5	Fine arts: BA (Hons) Fine Arts MA Fine Arts MA Arts and Ecology Get insights into the curriculum, student life, project collaborations and industry options for the BA (Hons) Fine Arts and MA Fine Arts programmes, as well as the practice-based and research-led contours of the transdisciplinary MA Arts and Ecology programme at LASALLE. Speakers: Hazel Lim Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Fine Arts Dr Ian Woo Programme Leader, MA Fine Arts Associate Professor Cissie Fu Head, McNally School of Fine Arts
2pm – 2.45pm Auditorium	Design: BA (Hons) Design Communication MA Design Design touches every sphere of human interest, profoundly impacting culture, socio-economic development, sustainability and more. Find out more about LASALLE's BA (Hons) Design Communication programme and how its students are inspired to be future-ready designers, passionate in their pursuit of creative excellence. Discover how the MA Design programme reframes the changing influence of designers as leaders, strategists and thinkers who form new perspectives to redesign the world. Speakers: Andreas Schlegel Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Design Communication Joselyn Sim Programme Leader, MA Design
2pm – 2.45pm Meeting Room 3.1	Art histories: BA (Hons) Art Histories and Curatorial Practices: Asia and the World MA Asian Art Histories Take a peek into the content, contours and career trajectories of the BA (Hons) Art Histories and Curatorial Practices: Asia and the World—Singapore’s first and only undergraduate programme in the fields of art history and curation. In addition, discover the curriculum, students and alumni and career pathways that define our pioneering MA Asian Art Histories programme—that is shaping the next generation of art historians and cultural leaders. Speaker: Dr Francis Maravillas Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Art Histories and Curatorial Practices: Asia and the World
2pm – 2.45pm Training Room 1-2	Music: BA (Hons) Music BA (Hons) Music Business The School of Contemporary Music’s suite of programmes is designed to develop students’ potential in the popular and commercial market, as well as the experimental and cutting edge. Find out more about the BA (Hons) Music programme and what it takes to be a sought-after professional in the music industry. Discover the BA (Hons) Music Business programme to understand how it trains you to lead and thrive in the dynamic and fast-paced commercial music scene. Speakers: Dr Darren Moore Senior Lecturer, Music Justin Hegburg Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Music Business
2pm – 2.45pm Training Room 3-5	Fashion: BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Textiles BA (Hons) Fashion Media and Industries Learn how you can become a globally engaged creative thinker and maker in the fashion industry, as well as the possible careers open to you in the exciting fashion industry. This talk will provide an overview of the BA (Hons) Fashion Media and Industries and BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Textiles programmes. Speaker: Circe Henestrosa Head, School of Fashion
3.00pm – 3.45pm Auditorium	Film and media: BA (Hons) Animation Art BA (Hons) Film Join the Puttnam School of Film & Animation and embark on a transformative journey to redefine the future of media and storytelling. The BA (Hons) Animation Art and BA (Hons) Film programmes focus on cultivating visionary artists with specialised skills and a broad-based creative approach. Both programmes aim to develop cinematic storytellers, offering a holistic journey from scriptwriting to directing, sound, production and post-production design. Speakers: Chris Shaw Head, Puttnam School of Film & Animation Khalid Almkhlaafy Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Film
3pm – 3.45pm Training Room 1-2	Dance and theatre: BA (Hons) Acting BA (Hons) Musical Theatre BA (Hons) International Contemporary Dance Practices Find out more about the three BA (Hons) programmes in the School of Dance & Theatre—Acting, Musical Theatre and International Contemporary Dance Practices and the main philosophies that connect them. Hear about the international opportunities, community and industry projects as well as how our alumni have carved careers for themselves. Speaker: Dayal Gian Singh Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Musical Theatre
3pm – 3.45pm Training Room 3-5	Arts education and creative writing: MA Arts Pedagogy and Practice MA Creative Writing Meet the programme leaders of MA Arts Pedagogy and Practice and MA Creative Writing programmes. The session will cover the requirements, knowledge and skills you will develop through your postgraduate studies, followed by a Q&A to get your questions answered. Speakers: Dr Rosslyn Prosser Programme Leader, MA Creative Writing Dr Woo Yen Yen Programme Leader, MA Arts Pedagogy and Practice
4pm – 4.45pm Meeting Room 3.1	Creative therapies: MA Art Therapy MA Music Therapy Gain insights into the creative therapies in this session with the programme leaders of LASALLE’s MA Art Therapy and MA Music Therapy programmes. The session opens with an overview of the culturally-informed, two-year, full-time MA Art Therapy programme. Hear more about the distinctive features of this globally-informed training and have your questions about the profession in the context of Singapore addressed. After that, find out about the features and entry requirements of the innovative MA Music Therapy programme. Speakers: Dr Ronald PMH Lay AThS-HF, AThR, ATR-BC Programme Leader, MA Art Therapy Dr Indra Selvarajah Programme Leader, MA Music Therapy
4pm – 4.45pm Training Room 3-5	Spatial and product design: BA (Hons) Design for Social Futures BA (Hons) Interior Design BA (Hons) Product Design Transform the way we live, and rethink our everyday interactions with places and objects. The School of Spatial & Product Design offers an expanded range of degree programmes including BA (Hons) Interior Design, BA (Hons) Product Design and BA (Hons) Design for Social Futures. Our programmes feature an immersive educational approach, blending theoretical knowledge with practical experience where students are engaged through real-world challenges in design and future forward industry-driven research. Speakers: Ang Xinwei Head, School of Spatial & Product Design Nicholas Ooi Wei Siong Lecturer, Interior Design

 

 

 

1pm - 1.45pm Auditorium (repeated session at 4pm)	NAFA Intro & Programme Overview Join us for an inspiring introduction to NAFA and explore the diverse programmes that shape the future of art, design, and performance. Our faculty will share the key highlights of each programme that will help you discover which one best fits your passion. Art & Design Programmes Conferred by the University of the Arts Singapore: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Biophilic Design Master of Fine Arts Fine Art Conferred by the University of the Arts London: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Design Practice Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Fine Art Interdisciplinary & Performing Art Programmes Conferred by the University of the Arts Singapore: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Contemporary Chinese Theatres Master of Performance Conferred by the University of the Arts London: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Performance Making Conferred by the Royal College of Music: Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Instrumental & Vocal Teaching Jointly conferred by the Royal College of Music and the University of the Arts Singapore: Bachelor of Music (Honours) Speakers: Art & Design Programmes Park Hye Young Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Biophilic Design Tay Siang Hwee Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Design Practice Noor Effendy Bin Ibrahim Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Fine Art Ye Shufang Programme Leader, MFA Fine Art Interdisciplinary Practices & Performing Arts Programmes Rei Poh Cheng Leong Associate Dean, School of Theatre Dr Caren Carino Dean, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Practices Dr Nellie Seng Associate Dean, School of Music
3pm - 3.45pm Meeting Room 3.1	NAFA UAS Admissions & Scholarship Talk Speaker: Niniek Natalia Head, Student Admissions Office, NAFA NAFA offers a wide range of Diploma, Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in art, design, and creative disciplines, preparing graduates for careers in the arts and creative industries. Learn about our degree programmes, entry requirements, and the scholarship offerings available to support your education journey. Join our admissions and scholarship talk to find out more!
4pm - 4.45pm Auditorium	NAFA Intro & Programme Overview Join us for an inspiring introduction to NAFA and explore the diverse programmes that shape the future of art, design, and performance. Our faculty will share the key highlights of each programme that will help you discover which one best fits your passion. Art & Design Programmes Conferred by the University of the Arts Singapore: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Biophilic Design Master of Fine Arts Fine Art Conferred by the University of the Arts London: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Biophilic Design Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Fine Art Interdisciplinary & Performing Art Programmes Conferred by the University of the Arts Singapore: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Contemporary Chinese Theatres Master of Performance Conferred by the University of the Arts London: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Performance Making Conferred by the Royal College of Music: Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Instrumental & Vocal Teaching Jointly conferred by the Royal College of Music and the University of the Arts Singapore: Bachelor of Music (Honours) Speakers: Art & Design Programmes Park Hye Young Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Biophilic Design Tay Siang Hwee Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Design Practice Noor Effendy Bin Ibrahim Programme Leader, BA (Hons) Fine Art Ye Shufang Programme Leader, MFA Fine Art Interdisciplinary Practices & Performing Arts Programmes Rei Poh Cheng Leong Associate Dean, School of Theatre Dr Caren Carino Dean, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Practices Dr Nellie Seng Associate Dean, School of Music

 

 

 

10.30am – 5.00pm Auditorium

Consultations on Financial Support and Scholarships Consultations with Faculties Consultations on Admissions