Pursuing your passion in the arts

Mr Peter Seah, Chairman of LASALLE

Professor Steve Dixon, President of LASALLE

Professor Jane Powell, Deputy Warden, Goldsmiths College

Graduates, parents

Ladies and gentlemen

1. Earlier this April, I attended the opening of LASALLE's second campus at Winstedt Road.  I spoke with some of the students and viewed their artworks and performances.  I witnessed firsthand the passion and dedication that LASALLE students have for their art.

2. These are hallmarks of what a LASALLE education seeks to nurture: talent, commitment and ability.  So I am very happy to join you today for LASALLE's 28th Convocation.  I have been to many convocations in the past three to four years, but this is my first time at a LASALLE convocation so it is also a special opportunity for me and I have to say that just walking into the hall, there is a special energy and it must be the nature of the students and the fact that all of you are energised by the arts.

3. We have 941 graduating students this year, pursuing different programmes at the diploma, degree and masters level.  I should also highlight that we have with us the first batch of LASALLE graduates from the twelve new Diploma programmes which were recently introduced, spanning a range of disciplines from Design, to Broadcast Media, Audio Production, and Technical and Production Management.   

4. To all graduating students here today – the world is your oyster.  With your talent and enthusiasm, I have no doubt you will go on to great things.  My warmest congratulations to each and every one of you!

5. I also want to recognise all the people who helped you to reach this milestone – your parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters who have stood behind you every step of the way.  And I want to acknowledge all the lecturers at LASALLE, who believed in you and guided you in your education journey. 

6. Every graduation ceremony is a great day of celebration.   But this year's Convocation is special because it coincides with an important milestone: LASALLE's 30th Anniversary.  The College has come a long way in the last three decades, from its early days as a school of only two classrooms to a premier arts education institution in Singapore with more than 2,600 students.  They have left with a fulfilling learning experience, valuable knowledge and ties to industry practitioners. 

7. The great thing about studying in an arts institution is that everyone is in an ecosystem where there is constant creation. Whether it is theatre plays, films, visual art installations or concerts, all students get the chance to work on a variety of projects with people from different disciplines.   

8. As a nation, we are now embarking on a new phase of development in our education.  We have built a strong school and tertiary education system.  In our next wave, we are focusing on building a first-rate system of continuing education and training.  This is about creating an environment that will enable every Singaporean to develop himself or herself to the fullest.  It is about shifting the ethos of our society – to look beyond paper qualifications, and emphasise the respect and mastery of skills in every job and throughout one's life. 

9. This applies also in the arts and creative sectors.  Among your alumni, many have already embraced this mindset. They have deepened the artistic skills that they picked up in LASALLE, and applied it to make their mark in both the local and international arts scene. 

10. For example, PHUNK Studio was conceptualised in 1994 when Alvin Tan, Melvin Chee, Jackson Tan, William Chan were students at LASALLE.  Today, the four Diploma in Communication Design graduates are a collective that have travelled and exhibited around the world.  In 2007, they were recognised as 'Designer of the Year' under the Singapore President's Design Award. Their clients and collaborators include major brands such as Nike, UNIQLO, Levis and MTV, and even international musicians like The Rolling Stones.

11. Another LASALLE alumni, Hilmi Johandi, who graduated with a BA(Hons) in Fine Arts last year, is now one of our most promising young artists.  Since graduation, he has continued to hone his artistic skills, which brings together painting and film, exploring differences and relationships between the two mediums. He held his first solo exhibition at OCBC Art Space in June and was selected for the Affordable Art Fair Young Talent Programme.

12. These examples show that what matters is not so much your qualification. Your journey of learning does not end here with this graduation.  On the contrary, it has just begun. What's important is the lifelong commitment and effort you put into developing and mastering the skills needed in your artistic craft. And I am confident that all LASALLE graduates have what it takes to succeed. 

13. Pursuing your passion in the arts can admittedly be less predictable than in other professions. This is not unique in Singapore and is the case in most places around the world.   

14. But art making is more than just a job or a career.  It's really a special calling – to make the most of your artistic talents, and to share that gift in ways that can uplift individual lives, strengthen our communities, and shape our nation's cultural development.

15. So I'm glad that we have students like Nerissa Arviana Prawiro, who is graduating today with a Diploma in Product Design. Nerissa completed her O-levels at CHIJ Katong Convent, and decided not to apply to any Junior Colleges because she wanted to do something in the field of art and design. Initially, she applied and got into Temasek Poly's architecture and interior design programme initially, but she realised her passion was in something else and when she got a place in LASALLE to do product design, she switched over. Here in LASALLE, she has found her calling and something that she can excel in. She was awarded an Honourable Mention under the Red Dot Design Award this year, and will be receiving an Excellence Award today.  So well done Nerissa!

16. Another graduate is Michelle Wong, who did her A-levels at Catholic Junior College and chose to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Animation Art. Michelle worked with her peers Marie Toh and Teo KiKi on their graduation film, “The Boy in the Whale Suit”. The film was an official selection of the KLIK! Amsterdam Animation Festival. Just a few days ago, they received more good news: the film has been awarded the Winner of the Student Category for the International Animation Festival in Uruguay.

17. I understand that Marie is currently working on a project funded by a research grant from LASALLE. Meanwhile Michelle is employed at UbiSoft, which is the third largest independent game publisher in the world, and KiKi is working at Lucasfilms.  Congratulations to the team!

18. There are no iron-clad guarantees in life. But I'm optimistic about the prospects of our LASALLE graduates, who have chosen the less-trodden path of a future in the arts. And I would add that this is an exciting time to be in the arts, heritage and creative sectors. 

19. On the government's part, we will continue to invest in the culture, and give our students many opportunities to shine, both on the international stage and here in Singapore's burgeoning cultural and creative industry.

20. And we are already seeing the results of our investments. The number of art companies has more than quadrupled over the last decade, to over 1,200 in 2012. Ticketed attendances at arts events have also doubled to almost two million in the same period.

21. Singaporeans are increasingly paying more attention to arts and cultural issues. While bread and butter issues like jobs and housing are still important to us, we are also keen to explore our place in the world, and to seek personal meaning in our lives. And Singaporeans look to places like film, music and the arts to do so.

22. These are positive developments. The arts strengthen our cultural identity, foster social cohesion and improve our quality of life.

23. As graduates of LASALLE, many of you will go on to make a difference through the arts, in the cultural scene, and in our community.  You will help shape Singapore into a cultural capital of Asia, and help Singapore forge a strong and distinctive artistic identity.

24. The government will continue to put in place the resources and infrastructure needed to support you in this. For example, the DesignSingapore Council has programmes to support designers in their professional development. The National Arts Council (NAC) also offers various grants to our local artists, ranging from apprenticeship programmes to overseas showcases.

25. In fact, at a time when most countries worldwide are cutting back their budgets for the arts due to fiscal constraints, we in Singapore are one of the very few countries that is spending more.

26. This year alone, we have increased significantly the direct grants given to artists and arts groups.We have set up a Cultural Matching Fund to encourage private sector donations. We have also set aside resources for our artists to perform internationally through a Cultural Diplomacy Fund. I was just in Incheon, Korea for the Asian Games and through the Fund we have enabled musicians like Inch Chua and Nadi, to perform at the Games Village at the Asian Games. Next year, we will have a major showcase of Singapore arts and culture in Paris, where many of our artists will be showcasing their craft.

27. So our arts and culture scene have become much more active and vibrant. Over the last few weeks we had major exhibitions and showcases such as the Singapore Night Festival and the Singapore International Festival of the Arts and I'm sure some of you would have attended some of the programmes. We are creating more spaces for the arts, for example, through dedicated spaces like the Aliwal Arts Centre and the recently refurbished the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall. And next year, we will have our very own National Gallery Singapore that will be the world's first museum to focus on the research and exhibition of Southeast Asian visual art.

28. All of this translates into opportunities for your development, and demand for your specialised skills. I encourage you to seek out these opportunities and make full use of them. Tap on the grants, programmes and industry partnerships that are out there, and seize the opprtunity to shine.

29. So finally, to the graduating class of 2014: this is but the first step in your next adventure. Continue to hone your skills and stay committed to your craft, I am confident that all of you will be able to make an impact and contribute to Singapore's cultural development. Most importantly, no matter what path you decide to pursue, do not be afraid to dream big and aim high. Your creativity, perseverance and passion are the things that will shape you for your future. 

30. Congratulations once again on your graduation, and I wish you every success in your future endeavours.