Leadership change at the National Arts Council

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) announced today that Mr Benson Puah, Chief Executive Officer of National Arts Council (NAC) will step down after completing his tenure on 31 July 2013. He will continue as the Chief Executive Officer of The Esplanade Company Limited (TECL). Ms Yvonne Tham, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NAC will serve as the covering Chief Executive Officer in the interim.

Appointed on 1 August 2009, Mr Puah, 56 years old, has played a significant role in facilitating the development of the arts in Singapore. During his term of office, Mr Puah championed closer engagement with the arts community, personally hosting a series of dialogues and consultations in relation to major policy reviews. He involved artists in the review of the NAC's enhanced grants framework, which now provides more inclusive support, customised to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse and fast-growing community of professional and amateur arts practitioners.

 Under his watch, the NAC stepped up efforts in arts education and community arts, launching several initiatives that reach out to Singaporeans of different ages and backgrounds such as the well-received Silver Arts programme for seniors. He also initiated a review of arts housing which resulted in the Arts Spaces Framework that brings artists and audiences together, as exemplified by the Goodman Arts Centre and the Aliwal Arts Centre which have been positively received by artists and the public alike. Mr Puah also engaged the arts community in a review of the Singapore Arts Festival which saw the setting up of an independent company, the Singapore Arts Festival Company, to manage Singapore's major festival platform. Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, NAC, said: “Benson has done us proud. The extensive experience he brought to NAC, and the personable style of his leadership have placed NAC in good stead and ready for its next phase of growth, including developing a stronger partnership with artists and our partner agencies. The council is deeply appreciative of his contributions, and we wish him the very best as he continues to be actively involved in the sector through his other appointments, including as CEO of TECL”.

MCCY will work with the Council to identify a new CEO to lead the NAC in its next phase of growth. In the interim, Ms Tham will serve as the covering Chief Executive Officer.

MCCY would like to register its appreciation to Mr Benson Puah for his significant contributions to the NAC. Ms Yeoh Chee Yan, Permanent Secretary, MCCY, said: “Benson has made considerable contributions to the arts. The Ministry appreciates his able leadership of the NAC which is now well poised to support the flourishing of the arts in Singapore. MCCY looks forward to his continued contributions as CEO of TECL. In the interim, Yvonne will ensure that the NAC continues to provide strong support to the arts community.“

Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth 
31 July 2013