Arts House Limited and University of the Arts Singapore Forge New Partnership to Prepare Arts Students for Careers – Press release
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Professor Kwok Kian Woon, Vice-Chancellor, University of the Arts Singapore
Sharon Tan, Executive Director, Arts House Limited; Professor Kwok Kian Woon, Vice-
Chancellor, University of the Arts Singapore
(From left) Prof Steve Dixon, DVC, UAS & President, LASALLE; Yeow Ju Li, Asst Exec Director, AHL; Sharon Tan, Exec Director, AHL; Prof Kwok Kian Woon, VC, UAS; Mrs Tan-Soh Wai Lan, DVC, UAS & President, NAFA.
Sharon Tan, Executive Director, Arts House Limited; Professor Kwok Kian Woon, Vice-
Chancellor, University of the Arts Singapore
The partnership was formalised today at a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between AHL and UAS. It is an important milestone for the arts sector, marking the first industry partnership for UAS since its opening in August 2022 and the first structured internship arrangement for AHL. The partnership also furthers sectoral efforts to nurture the next generation of forward-looking, talented arts graduates, equipping them with the necessary skills to enter and thrive in the arts workforce.
AHL, as the organiser of national festivals, the Singapore International Festival of Arts and Singapore Writers Festival, and venue manager for six arts spaces, including two national monuments — The Arts House and Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall, offers LASALLE and NAFA students diverse opportunities across a range of interests and disciplines, as well as a chance to build their networks within the broader arts community. These internships and project work attachments include positions where students can experience developing impactful programmes for AHL’s various venues and festivals or devising creative partnership and fundraising strategies to cultivate partnership for AHL. Students can also collaborate and receive mentorship from professional arts practitioners in AHL as well as with artists and stakeholders — providing valuable insight and experience of the inner workings of one of Singapore’s major arts institutions.
Made possible with the generous support of donors including, Dr Della Suantio Lee of the D.S. Lee Foundation, Ms. Suzanne Liau and Mr. Pierre Lorinet, AHL plans to offer 12 paid internships or project work attachments annually over the next three years. Applications for these roles will open with the launch of UAS’ career and internship portal in January 2025. AHL will offer opportunities across various departments and teams, allowing students to work on projects in areas like festival and event programming, venue management, partnership development and arts management. All students from bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes offered by LASALLE and NAFA will be eligible to apply, with internships and project work attachments spanning approximately ten weeks from May to August, with a minimum requirement of 400 hours for successful completion.
Ms. Sharon Tan, Executive Director of Arts House Limited, said, “With our arts scene more vibrant and diverse than before, we believe that the vast potential of its future lies in the hands of the next generation of leaders, who will bring Singapore’s arts and culture scene to new heights. We are, therefore, thrilled to be part of this notable milestone for our sector and to join hands with like-minded partners at the University of the Arts Singapore who share our commitment to supporting our youth's learning journeys. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors, whose generous support has made this programme possible. Together, we empower students with the necessary skills, practical industry experience and opportunities to connect with the wider local arts community, setting them up for successful careers in the arts. We look forward to how their fresh and creative perspectives will enhance and invigorate our offerings at AHL, creating engaging and relevant arts experiences that contribute towards fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts in Singapore.”
Professor Kwok Kian Woon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Arts Singapore, added, “We are proud to partner with Arts House Limited on this initiative, which offers our students invaluable real-world experience. We hope they will broaden their understanding of the professional arts landscape. This collaboration will not only enhance our students’ education but also equip them to excel in the ever-evolving creative industries. We look forward to seeing how our students will grow through this experience and the meaningful contributions they will make to their own development and to the wider arts community here in Singapore.”
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