Arts & Heritage Institutions

Statutory Boards

National Arts Council (NAC)

The NAC was set up in 1991 as the national agency for the arts in Singapore. Its mission is to nurture the arts and make it an integral part of the lives of people in Singapore. NAC aims to develop Singapore as a distinctively global city for the arts, where it is accessible to all. NAC will also provide artistic talents with the necessary resources and capabilities to excel and achieve sustainability in the long term.

Find out more about National Arts Council.

National Heritage Board (NHB)

NHB was formed on 1 August 1993. Its mission is to safeguard and promote the heritage of our diverse communities for education, nation-building and cultural understanding. By working toward its vision of building up "Pride in our Past, Legacy for our Future", NHB helps Singaporeans understand our history and cherish the importance of leaving legacies toward a shared future.

As the custodian of Singapore's heritage, NHB presents heritage programmes such as the Singapore Heritage Festival and the Singapore Night Festival. It also curates exhibitions to connect all generations of Singaporeans through a shared experience. In addition, NHB manages the Bras Basah/Bugis Precinct, and operates most of Singapore's museums, heritage interpretive centres and institutions.

Find out more about National Heritage Board.

People's Association (PA)

The PA was established on 1 July 1960 to promote racial harmony and social cohesion in Singapore by building and bridging communities to achieve one people, one Singapore. PA offers a wide range of programmes for Singaporeans from all walks of life - connecting people to people, and people and government.

Find out more about People's Association.

Other institutions

Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay

Esplanade is a performing arts centre for everyone - providing distinctive spaces for the performing arts. Officially opened in 2002, its mission is to entertain, engage, educate and inspire. It is a waterside building that nestles near the mouth of Singapore River.

Find out more about Esplanade.

National Gallery Singapore (NGS)

Opened in November 2015, NGS is a brand new visual arts institution. It will focus on displaying Southeast Asian art, including Singapore art, from the 19th century to present day. Through display, promotion, research and study of Southeast Asian and Singapore art while hosting international art exhibitions, NGS hopes to strengthen Singapore's role as a regional and international hub for visual arts.

Find out more about National Gallery Singapore.

School of the Arts (SOTA)

SOTA is Singapore's first independent pre-tertiary specialised arts school to nurture youths who have talent and interest in the arts. SOTA provides a learning environment where both the artistic and academic potential can be best realised. It aims to groom the next generation of artists, creative professionals and individuals who are passionate for, and committed to the arts in a multi-cultural society.

Find out more about School of the Arts.

Singapore Art Museum (SAM)

Opened in January 1996, SAM presents contemporary art practices of Singapore and the Southeast Asian region. It has one of the world's largest public collections of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian artworks, with a growing component in international contemporary art. It is presently undergoing a retrofit.

Find out more about Singapore Art Museum.

STPI Singapore

Established in 2002, STPI is a catalyst and advocate for new ideas and dialogues for contemporary art in print and paper. STPI presents innovative exhibitions and programmes to a broad audience, where works on paper and print by contemporary artists can be discovered in unique and engaging ways.

Find out more about STPI.