Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Chairman, Board of Directors, Singapore Arts School Ltd;
Mrs Rebecca Chew, Principal, School of the Arts;
Mr Teo Chiang Long, President, Ngee Ann Kongsi;
Mr Shabbir Hassanbhai, Vice-Chairman, Singapore Indian Education Trust;
Distinguished guests,
Teachers and staff,
Parents and students,
Good afternoon.
I am happy to be here today for the School of the Arts’ (SOTA) inaugural Awards Day.
2 First, I would like to congratulate the students who will be receiving scholarships and bursaries today. We have a total of 10 scholarship recipients and 49 bursaries recipients. This represents almost 25% of the pioneer cohort of students. Each recipient would have demonstrated excellence in academics and the arts to qualify for these scholarships and bursary. You are clearly outstanding students and shining examples for your peers. I hope that the awards will motivate you to work harder and to take full advantage of the unique learning opportunity provided by SOTA.
3 Next, I would like to thank Mr Teo Chiang Long and the Ngee Ann Kongsi for the very generous donation of $12 million over the next six years. This exceptionally heart-warming donation will go a long way in nurturing and shaping SOTA’s young artistic talents. More importantly, the Ngee Ann Kongsi scholarships and bursaries will provide a powerful boost to our efforts in grooming Singapore’s next generation of artists and creative professionals. Scholarships and bursaries provided by the Ngee Ann Kongsi will ensure that deserving students will have the opportunity to pursue and realise their full potential in the arts. At the same time, such scholarships and bursaries will also help SOTA to attract the best talents in the arts regardless of their family circumstances.
4 I would also like to thank the Singapore Indian Education Trust for donating two scholarships. By joining Ngee Ann Kongsi to support this very new institution, SIET has given SOTA a significant vote of confidence. I hope by your generous gestures, you will encourage even more private sector and community organisations to step forward to support SOTA.
5 Every SOTA student here, and not just the scholarship recipients, is a winner in his or her own right. You have passed the rigorous Talent Academy auditions to enter the School, based your artistic talent and potential. Now, you have a great learning environment that offers a good academic programme together with an excellent opportunity to develop your passion for the arts. Your years in SOTA will be demanding years. You will have to work hard and spend much time to develop you artistic abilities as well as learn academic subjects. But these can also by enjoyable years. SOTA will broaden your minds and challenge you to express your creativity. You will build lasting friendships and grow into young men and women with confidence, a strong sense of identity and responsibility towards society.
6 Many of your teachers and local artists are role models whom you can emulate. The late artist Chua Ek Kay is a good example. He was excited with the launch of SOTA and wanted to be part of this bold and exciting project. As an artist, Ek Kay successfully bridged Asian and Western art. He is highly respected for creating an original style in Chinese painting by blending Chinese ink tradition with the influences of contemporary Western art. He had contributed tremendously to Singapore’s arts development, by sharing his artistic talent with others, offering his expertise through teaching stints at local universities and arts institutions, as well as serving on the National Arts Council’s Art Resource Panel and as an Arts Advisor.
7 Another artist whom you can look to for inspiration is pianist Lim Yan, whose often highly demanding repertoire has revealed his sensitive musicianship and great versatility in handling different styles. Lim Yan has extensive performance experience, having played in numerous concerts and festivals both in Singapore and abroad. He too, is doing his part to nurture young musical talent by teaching and sharing his skills with SOTA students. Lim Yan is a fine example of how artistic talent can go a long way in touching and making a difference in the lives of young people.
8 Your teachers are also good role models. We are indeed fortunate to have with us outstanding arts practitioners and teachers to nurture our students. SOTA’s Head of Music Dr Joyce Koh was the 1998 Young Artist Award recipient. Head of Visual Arts Ye Shufang was one of ten artists who received the inaugural President’s Young Talents Exhibition Award in 2001. I hope that you will be inspired by these exceptional artists to work towards your personal goal of artistic excellence.
9 In closing, I would like to encourage you to work hard and make the most of your years at SOTA. I look forward to seeing SOTA students becoming our future creative leaders in the arts and many other professions.
10 Thank you.
|
