Creative Industries Scholarships Award Ceremony 2008

Twenty-six outstanding creative talents received their scholarships at the Creative Industries Scholarships Award Ceremony from RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Senior Minister of State for Education, and Information, Communications and the Arts.

2          The recipients include four for the arts scholarships, two for heritage scholarships, 19 for the media scholarships and one for the design scholarship. They were selected from 253 applicants, based on their creative achievements, passion and potential to contribute to the development of the creative industries in Singapore. Five of them will be pursuing their studies in local institutions and 21 in institutions overseas.

3          The Creative Industries Scholarships was established in 2006 as part of the national effort to transform Singapore into a global city for arts, heritage, media and design under the Creative Industries Development Strategy. The National Heritage Board had come on board this year to offer its scholarships under the ambit of the Creative Industries Scholarships. This concerted initiative among MICA agencies helps to augment and groom creative talents by helping the talents to embark on careers in the rapidly growing creative industries.

4          The Creative Industries Scholarships encompass various scholarships offered by the National Arts Council (NAC Overseas Arts Scholarship), National Heritage Board (NHB Scholarship), Media Development Authority (Media Education Scheme) and the DesignSingapore Council (DesignSingapore Scholarship).

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS

22 AUGUST 2008

Annexes:

Annex 1: National Arts Council Scholarship and Bursaries

Annex 2: National Heritage Board Scholarship

Annex 3: Media Education Scheme

Annex 4: DesignSingapore Scholarship

Media Contact:

Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts

Ms Chong Wan Yieng            

Assistant Director, Corporate Communications

DID: 6837 9918

Email: chong_wan_yieng@mica.gov.sg

National Arts Council

Mr Gerard Ortega

Manager, Corporate Communications

DID: 6837 9574

Email: gerard_ortega@nac.gov.sg

National Heritage Board

Mr Chin Wei Chong

Manager, Corporate Communications

DID: 6332 3223

Email: chin_wei_chong@nhb.gov.sg

Media Development Authority

Ms Serene Tan

Manager, Communications Department

DID: 6837 9972

Email: Serene_Tan@mda.gov.sg

DesignSingapore Council

Ms Lim Jia Ying

Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications

DID: 6837 9529

Email: lim_jia_ying@mica.gov.sg

ANNEX 1: NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES

The National Arts Council (NAC) awarded its 2008 Scholarships and Bursaries to 72 talented individuals committed to furthering the frontiers of the arts in Singapore. Four scholars were given the new NAC Arts Scholarship (Overseas). These scholars are pursuing their undergraduate to post-graduate studies in four different art forms, and have strong potential to continue to contribute to the Singapore arts scene upon their return.

In recognition of the need for dance talent to be formally trained from a young age to optimally realise their artistic potential, with effect from next year, NAC will expand the Gifted Young Musician Bursary to include gifted dancers below the age of 18 who are keen on pursuing pre-tertiary dance training overseas. The new bursary will be renamed as the Gifted Young Artist Bursary, and recipients of the Bursary will enjoy the same benefits and privileges accorded to current recipients. Details will be available on the NAC website www.nac.gov.sg from early next year.

2008 NAC Arts Scholarship (Overseas)

The NAC Arts Scholarship (Overseas) was introduced in 2008, following the merger of the Shell-NAC Scholarship and the NAC Arts Professional Scholarship.  Prior to the merger, 43 promising young individuals have been awarded the prestigious scholarships to pursue full-time undergraduate to post-graduate studies in visual arts (fine art courses only), performing arts, literary arts, arts management, technical design and production in the arts. The scholarship covers up to 100% of the total cost of study and is capped at a maximum of $100,000.

There are four scholars this year – Chok Kerong, Evelyn Toh, Jonathan Lum and Ang Song Ming.

1          Mr Chok Kerong (24 years old)

Master of Music

Manhattan School of Music (commencing first year in September 2008)

Amount: $100,000

Kerong has been considered as one of the brightest sparks to have emerged in the Singapore jazz scene. His performances include the CHIJmes Jazz Festival, University Culture Centre "Rhythms and Rhapsodies" Arts Festival and various festivals organised by the Esplanade, such as the Mosaic Music Festival. He also performed regularly at live music venues such as Jazz@Southbridge, Blujaz Café and Bar Stop. He recently graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Law. Though he did not have a music degree, he was accepted into the renowned Manhattan School of Music's Master of Music programme, based on his musical abilities.

2          Ms Evelyn Toh (17 years old)

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance

Boston Conservatory (commencing first year in September 2008)

Amount: $100,000

Evelyn joined the Singapore Ballet Academy in 2003 and has since obtained her Royal Academy of Dance Advanced level with Distinction. In 2005, she performed in Singapore Dance Theatre’s Nutcracker as well as The Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake at the Esplanade. She has danced with the John Mead Moving Image Arts Dance Company since 2006. In 2007, she took part in Perth’s Theatrical Festival 2007 and obtained first place in the National Open Novice category and the Neo-Classical Under 18 Novice category. She also received an Honorable Mention at the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD) Asia-Pacific Competition 2007. Evelyn will be pursuing training in Modern and Contemporary Dance at Boston Conservatory.

3          Mr Jonathan Lum (27 years old)

Master of Musical Performance

Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (course commencing in September 2008)

Amount: $85,000

A graduate of the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Theatre Studies, Jonathan Lum has a strong passion for musical theatre. Performing for the past 10 years, he has progressively obtained training in acting, dancing and singing. He also trained with the Singapore Armed Forces Music & Drama Company, Singapore Repertory Theatre Young Company and Studio Wu. Stage credits include Forbidden City: Portrait of an Empress, Dim Sum Dollies, Jack & The Bean Sprout, On North Diversion Road, Mad Forest and Beauty World.  He has also participated in Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Musical theatre is an area where few Singaporeans excel in and Jonathan is one of the rare few talents.  He hopes to expand on Singaporeans love for musicals and introduce them to smaller scale, one-act musicals. He will be going to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where Sir Cameron Mackintosh is Honorary President. 

4          Mr Ang Song Ming (27 years old)

Masters in Aural and Visual Cultures

Goldsmiths College, University of London (course commencing in September 2008)

Amount: $85,000

Ang Song Ming is a sound artist and musician exploring various intersections between the avant garde and popular. His artworks are characterised by simple ideas that yield intricate questions relating to audio and music culture. He graduated from NUS with a Bachelor in English Literature in 2005.  He has held performances and exhibitions in both Singapore and overseas, such as US, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, HK and KL.  He has also produced a soundscape CD. His social projects examine aural culture through the motif of group participation while his personal works involve themes related to digital culture, such as sampling and accidents. Sound-based artworks are still in its infancy in Singapore and Song Ming hopes to contribute to its development after his graduation.

2008 Georgette Chen Arts Scholarship

Funded by a donation from the estate of the late pioneer artist Georgette Chen, the Scholarship provides assistance to students pursuing full-time diploma courses in performing arts and fine arts at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts and local polytechnics. This year, we have 15 recipients, new and renewal candidates.

The recipients are: Ang Min Jia; Sng Yiang Shan; Lee Kong Shen; Tan Jack Ying; Ter Wee Cher; Tan Qing Lun; Gabriel Lee; Ng Hui Qi; Xu Rit; Laurel Ho Chun Sheng; Boo Chong Wei; Chen Guohui; Goh Shou Yi; Liao Kexin; and Eunice Chew Yi Xian. 

2008 Gifted Young Musicians’ Bursary

The bursary was initiated by the Rotary Club of Singapore East in 1997, after recognising a need to nurture young musicians who are gifted and are likely to excel in their art given the opportunity to pursue formal music education even before tertiary level.  Awarded to gifted musicians below the age of 18 years to pursue pre-tertiary music studies overseas, the bursary subsidises their cost of study of up to $15,000 per year.  This year, we have eight recipients, of which two are new.

The recipients are: William Wei; Ho Qian Hui; Gabriel Ng Song Quan; Janelle Marianne Yeo; Cason Kang Kai Wei; Clare Yeo; Deanna Lye Shuyan; and Frances Lee Shi Hui.

2008 NAC Arts Bursaries

A total of $521,000 will be awarded to 45 artists and arts students under NAC’s Overseas and Local Arts Bursaries, providing assistance to arts students to pursuing tertiary studies in visual arts (fine art courses only), performing and literary arts, as well as arts management, technical design and production in the arts in local and overseas arts institutions.

ANNEX 2: NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD SCHOLARSHIP

The National Heritage Board (NHB) Scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to promising talents in Singapore to pursue full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies in the fields of heritage and/or visual arts management or administration. The scholarship covers 100% of study costs and is capped at a maximum of $100,000. Some areas of study allowed under the scholarship are:

·         Conservation

·         Museum Education

·         General Museum Studies

·         Curatorial Studies

·         Archival Studies and

·         Art History

Recipients will serve a three-year bond with NHB upon their return after successful completion of their studies.

Scholarship Recipients

1          Ms Wang Zhenghui (19 years old)

Bachelor of Arts – Honours (Art History)

University of Toronto, Canada

Zhenghui is an extroverted and lively young lady with a strong passion and appreciation for the arts. A student of Fine Arts during her college days, she was exposed to a wide array of artistic ideas and concepts which broadened and deepened her understanding and appreciation of the arts. Her deep appreciation for the contemporary arts was an anchor point in her foray into the study of art history. Zhenghui has just completed an internship programme with the Singapore Academy of Law working on an exhibition entitled “Legal Legacies: The story of Singapore law”.

2          Ms Wong Bi Min (19 years old)

Bachelor of Arts with a joint major in History and Politics

Oxford University, United Kingdom

Bi Min grew up on stories of early Singapore and the struggles of our pioneers. This fuelled her love of history and heritage. During her six-month internship at the Asian Civilisations Museum, she was involved in a wide range of activities from merchandising to story-telling sessions for the Vietnam Festival. She has since caught the “museum bug” and the internship cemented her conviction to work in a museum. Bi Min is excited that she will get to work alongside some of the best minds in the business when she reads her Bachelor’s Degree in History and Politics at Oxford University. She firmly believes her education will prepare her well for the contributions she hopes to make to Singapore’s museum scene.

ANNEX 3: MEDIA EDUCATION SCHEME

Objective

The Media Education Scheme is an initiative to build and nurture manpower capabilities as well as the talent pool in the media industry (for TV, Radio, Film, publishing, animation, and games sectors).  It targets Singapore citizens and permanent residents who wish to pursue full-time tertiary education in media-related courses both locally and overseas at undergraduate and postgraduate media-related courses levels at reputable institutions.

Media Education Scheme (Overseas)

The Scheme covers tuition fees of up to S$40,000 per year, or subject to a maximum of $100,000.  The scheme has a two-year service commitment to Singapore. Upon returning from their studies, recipients will have to fulfil the service commitment and are required to work in media-related companies.  As international exposure and experience is desirable and encouraged, students need not start their service commitment immediately upon graduation, but can choose to do so over a five-year period.

Media Education Scheme (Local)

The Scheme covers tuition fees of up to S$10,000 per year, subject to a maximum of S$20,000. There will be no service commitment attached to the scheme.

In assessing applications, the following factors will be considered:

·         Applicant’s academic and creative potential

·         Applicant’s achievements, track record and relevant experience

·         Benefit and value of the studies to the applicant and to the development of the media industry in Singapore

·         Other factors being equal, the financial background of the applicant

Who may apply?

All Singapore citizens and permanent residents who are intent on a long-term career in the local media industry are welcome to apply for the Scheme.  Applicants must have already applied to, or gained admission in an institution for an undergraduate or postgraduate studies related to media. Male applicants must have completed their National Service at the time of their studies.

Scholarship Recipients

1          Mr Chan Yew Hong, Kevin (30 years old)

Master of Film and Television (Narrative)

Victorian College of Arts, Australia

Kevin graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and is currently working at MediaCorp. He is passionate about film making, and wishes to direct either short or feature films. He is willing to stop working in order to study full time, and hopes to be an award-winning film maker in five years.

2          Mr Chua Gheng Hong, John (22 years old)

Master of Art in Music

Royal College of Music, UK

John graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) with a “Best Graduate in Music” award. He was initially a student at Raffles Junior College, but left because he wanted to pursue his passion in music. He has won numerous piano awards, and also received a scholarship at NAFA. He displays strong passion in the area of music composition, and would like to compose music for films and musicals.

3          Ms Ding Xiao (21 years old)           

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Animation     

Nanyang Technological University, School of Art Design Media, Singapore

Ding Xiao aspires to be a comic artist, and is active in publishing her own work in various festivals, such as Comic Convention and Bookfest. She has formed a comic club with her friends, and she does a lot of drawing and designing outside school curriculum.

4          Mr Kin Changwei (24 years old)

Masters of Arts           

Savannah College of Arts and Design, USA

Changwei has experience in the post-production industry, and he has shown great interest in visual effects. He has been free-lancing since 2006 and joined VHQ last April. He hopes to take on internship while studying in Savannah in order to gain more experience.

5          Mr Kwek Tze Shien, Kenneth (28 years old)

Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing        

New York University – Tisch School of the Arts (Asia)

Kenneth was a writer with The Straits Times, and is now a freelance journalist. He has worked with Glen Wee and Kelvin Tong, and Glen Wee is currently producing the film that he wrote. Kenneth is mature and down-to-earth, and is open to others’ opinions of his work.

6          Ms Lee Jieying, Joanne (19 years old)     

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons) in Film & Television

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Joanne graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a major in Directing. She would like to pursue her studies further, and aspires to be a good producer. She was involved in the production of 881, and has shown passion for film producing.

7          Mr Lee Li-En, Leon (25 years old) 

Bachelor of Communication

Monash University, Australia

Leon is currently involved in post-production editing, and he would like to go into post production. He wishes to pursue his studies in post production, but the financial burden of studying overseas is straining on his family, as his mother is the sole breadwinner. Creative editing is an area which our local media industry is lacking.

8          Ms Lee Rae Lyn (25 years old)      

Masters Degree

The London Film School, UK

Rae Lyn has been a professional photographer in the industry for about three years. She decided to switch over to film as she saw the potential in this industry. She has also assisted in the production of short films. She is interested in cinematography, and aspires to be a Director of Photography (DOP). DOP is skills-gap which the industry has identified.

9          Ms Liau Philothea (23 years old)   

Undergraduate

Nanyang Technological University,  School of Art, Design & Media, Singapore

Philothea just graduated from Temasek Polytechnic, and is currently working in the industry as a freelancer, and has worked with Royston Tan and Lisa Ang (CNA). Her recent project includes a SingTel TV commercial. She would like to set up a media company with her friends.

10        Mr Liew Shi Xiong (23 years old)   

Communication Studies

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore          

Shi Xiong has shown great interest in filmmaking, particularly directing and scriptwriting. He has displayed good portfolio, including a short film titled “Save the filmmakers”. He is very humble, and shows passion for the media industry.  

11        Ms Lim Priscilla (27 years old)       

Degree in Film

Academy of Art University, San Francisco, USA

Priscilla has worked in the industry for about seven years as a freelancer, in the areas of producing, directing and writing. Her forte is producing, and she aims to be a production manager in future. She has also done a documentary with Ochre Pictures previously.

12        Ms Ling Andrea (19 years old)

Bachelor of Arts (Hons)

University of West England (Bristol), UK

Andrea was previously an intern in Peach Blossom, and she assisted in pre-production works and led a team of designers and animators. She hopes to be a 2D Animator or illustrator, and shows passion for the animation industry.

13        Ms Neville Doanna (26 years old) 

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Academy of Art University, San Francisco, USA

Doanna wishes to be a game developer, and be involved in the full cycle of game production. She is creative and displayed interest in next-generation games and high-end quality art. She has a good portfolio, with strong quality in her artwork.

14        Mr Ng Xunjie, Clement (23 years old)

Bachelor of Communication Studies

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Clement has been on the Dean’s List for three years consecutively. He wants to be involved in production houses in the next five to 10 years, either as a producer or editor. He was involved in the pre-production process of the official opening video for Olympics.
 

15        Mr Tan Benjamin (21 years old)     

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Digital Filmmaking

Nanyang Technological University, School of Art, Design and Media

Singapore

Benjamin aims to be a filmmaker that can represent Singapore overseas, and has an eye for good stories. He is also able to look at various perspectives, displaying potential to be a good filmmaker.

16        Mr Tan Shijie (27 years old)

Master of Fine Art

New York University – Tisch School of the Arts (Asia)

Shijie shows interest in film, and would like to specialise in visual directing. He has made one short film, and is determined that filmmaking is the path for him in future. He was also involved in the production of Dance Of The Dragon, and worked closely with the core creative team of the film. He also shows devotion towards cinematography, and is a very mature and eloquent candidate.

17        Ms Wee Jessie (22 years old)

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Television and Broadcast journalism; Emphasis in Narrative Episodic Television

Chapman University

Jessie has been involved in post production work, and her aspiration is to be a TV Executive. She hopes to join MediaCorp to contribute to the industry.

18        Ms Wee Li Lin (34 years old)

Master of Fine Arts

New York University – Tisch School of the Arts (Asia)

Having recently completed Gone Shopping, Li Lin is currently preparing for her next feature film and is currently working on the script. She loves directing and producing, but script writing was her first love. She felt that pursuing further studies at Tisch Asia will enrich her scripting skills while staying in touch with the industry.

19        Ms Poh Hui Bing, Joyce (19 years old)

            Bachelor of Arts in Music and Music Technology

            Keele University (UK)

Joyce is a very active musician. She currently plays the Chinese flute in the Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra, and hopes to be a sound/recording engineer. She shows passion in music, and hopes to gain more exposure in this industry. 

ANNEX 4: DESIGNSINGAPORE SCHOLARSHIPS

Objectives

The DesignSingapore Scholarship aims to groom design talents who have the creativity, drive and passion to develop Singapore into Asia’s leading hub for design excellence. The Scholarship is targeted at students and industry professionals who wish to pursue full-time undergraduate or postgraduate design-related courses at reputable institutions.

DesignSingapore Overseas Scholarship

The Overseas Scholarship covers tuition fees of up to $40,000 per year, subject to a maximum of $100,000. Scholars will be designated as DesignSingapore Associates upon the acceptance of the Scholarship.

The Scholarship has a two-year service commitment to Singapore. Upon completing their studies, the Scholars are required to work in Singapore in a design-related field for two years. Scholars need not start their service commitment immediately upon graduation, but can choose to do so over a five-year period. In addition, as DesignSingapore Associates, the Scholars will be required to contribute to projects undertaken by DesignSingapore Council, and/or contribute to their field of practice with an organisation in the design industry. The Associateship will expire upon the fulfillment of the two-year service commitment after the Scholar graduate.

DesignSingapore Local Scholarship

The Local Scholarship covers tuition fees of up to $10,000 per year, subject to a maximum of $20,000. Scholars will be designated as DesignSingapore Associates upon the acceptance of the Scholarship.

As DesignSingapore Associates, scholars will be required to contribute to projects undertaken by DesignSingapore Council, and/or contribute to their field of practice with an organisation in the design industry. The Associateship will expire one year after the Scholar graduates. There is no service commitment attached to the Local Scholarship.

Areas of Study

Fields of study that will be considered are:

·         Industrial Design

·         Visual Communications

·         Multimedia Design

·         Fashion

·         Architecture

·         Interior Design

·         Landscape Design

·         Urban Design

·         Design Management

Scholarship Recipient

1          Ms Lim Shu Min (19 years old)

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

Rhode Island School of Design

Shu Min's interest in design first began as an exploration of creative possibilities during her six years in the Art Elective Programme at Nanyang Girls' High School and subsequently at Hwa Chong Institution.  Being a Malaysian and a Singapore Permanent Resident who had to travel between the two countries daily for school since the age of seven, Shu Min hopes that the diversity of culture she has been and will be exposed to will help her to develop her own unique voice as an innovative designer.