Mrs Elaine Ng takes over as new chief executive officer for National Arts Council from 1 March 2026

Mr Low Eng Teong

2        Mr Low was appointed CEO of NAC in 2023, after five years as its Deputy and Assistant CEO of Sector Development (Arts). He championed the development of SG Arts Plan 2.0, driving efforts to strengthen digital adoption in the arts sector, build clearer professional training pathways, and deepen audience engagement. Under his leadership, more arts groups have adopted digital tools for creation and distribution, schools and community partners have expanded arts programming, and young practitioners now receive more structured support in pursuing their aspirations.

3       Mr Low also expanded access to arts across communities. He worked with partners and arts groups to enhance programmes such as ArtsEverywhere@CDC, bringing diverse quality performances and activities into the heartlands. He also strengthened arts education pathways through the National Arts Council-Arts Education Programme, which now offers over 1,400 programmes by more than 300 artists and arts groups in schools. 

4        Under his stewardship, NAC’s programmes and initiatives such as Singapore Art Week, the Singapore International Festival of the Arts, and the Singapore Writers Festival, continued to strengthen the development of artists and arts organisations. These platforms also expanded Singapore’s engagement with the international arts community, fostering meaningful collaboration and cultural exchanges. He also contributes to Singapore’s wider cultural landscape through his board appointments with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra Company Limited, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Singapore Art Museum and The Esplanade Co Ltd.

Incoming Chief Executive Officer Mrs Elaine Ng

5.       As Deputy Secretary (Administration) at the Ministry of Defence, Mrs Elaine Ng heads the ministry’s Defence Management Group that formulates and implements policies in the areas of National Service, manpower, finance, information systems, legal and service delivery to support national security objectives. Prior to this appointment in November 2019, Mrs Ng was the Deputy Chief Executive of the National Heritage Board overseeing heritage development, and then Chief Executive Officer of the National Library Board (NLB) of Singapore from April 2011 to November 2019.

6.       Mrs Ng has a track record in transforming organisations. As Deputy Secretary (Administration), MINDEF, she champions transformation and innovation initiatives across MINDEF and the SAF and oversees major infrastructural projects such as the recently completed Central Manpower Base, which provides NS and human resource services alongside public facilities. Mrs Ng chairs the Defence Collective Singapore, which operates Singapore’s military museums, including the upcoming NS Gallery. She also serves on the boards of NS Square, DSTA and DSO.

7.       As then CEO of NLB, Mrs Ng oversaw the strategic development of a network of public libraries, the National Library, and the National Archives of Singapore. Under her leadership, NLB achieved innovations in service delivery and technology through creative library services.  She introduced initiatives that increased access to e-books, heritage publications and archives in Singapore while revamping public libraries and growing NLB’s volunteers. She also strengthened NLB’s standing as an international leader in library and archives and forged partnerships and exchanges around the world.

Registration of Appreciation

8        Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Senior Minister of State for Education said: “Under Eng Teong’s steadfast leadership, NAC has broadened access to the arts, strengthened support for the sector, and deepened the role that culture plays in shaping who we are as Singaporeans. I thank him for his invaluable contributions, and for working closely with our artists, partners and the wider community. I welcome Elaine to the MCCY family and am excited to see the continued growth of the arts sector under her leadership.”

9.       The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) thank Mr Low for his leadership and significant contributions to NAC and the MCCY Family, as well as welcome Mrs Ng.