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Arts & Design Practice Research Exchange (ADPRex)
Held for the second year running, ADPRex, themed “Precarious Art: How Do We Make Art in a World on Fire?”, saw 225 participants from more than 16 institutions across Asia, Europe and America participate in the hybrid event to discuss how artmaking can respond to worldwide states of disruption.
Over the two days, artists and researchers explored concepts of precariousness and precarity, sharing their experiences and responses to global disruptions and localised instability in work, sexuality and gender identity across 10 curated panels and a dialogue session.
UOB-NAFA Southeast Asian Arts Forum 2024
The UOB-NAFA Southeast Asian Arts Forum 2024: “Way of the Valiant: Paving Art through War”, attracted over 400 attendees who engaged in discourse on how art and creative practices can assert their relevance amid post-pandemic uncertainties and an overwhelming surge of geopolitical conflicts, violence, and destruction.
The event, which showcased 21 presenters from the Southeast Asian region, featured two exhibitions titled, "Light Permeates the Wounds” by Vietnamese painter Hoang Duong Cam and “Xenomech: Enigmas Inside the Margins” by Malaysian artist Choy Chun Wei that further enriched the Forum’s focus. NAFA-UAS degree students had the opportunity to participate in the signature masterclasses taught by both artists.
In line with the forum, an online game titled “Treasures of Angkor” was created to encourage players to learn about war, resilience and recovery by collecting historical artefacts on UOB World.
The forum also featured the inaugural Southeast Asian Arts Alliance (SEArch), a collaboration between NAFA-UAS and eight other Southeast Asian universities to respond, collaborate and harmonise on research and educational ventures in Southeast Asian Arts.
Presenters from across Southeast Asia sharing their diverse perspectives and thoughts at the Forum.
Performers from the ASK Dance Company with Mrs Tan-Soh Wai Lan, President of NAFA, Dr Bridget Tracy Tan, Senior Director, Institute of Southeast Asian Arts & Art Galleries (back row, fourth and fifth from left) and invited guests.
Opening performance by Khao Niew Theatre.
Digitally Engaged Learning (DEL) Conference
Set to boost educators’ confidence in integrating innovative digital technologies into art and design learning, NAFA’s Teaching & Learning Centre partnered with the University of Arts London, Texas Tech University, Parsons School of Design and Pennsylvania State University to organise the DEL 2024 conference.
Over 100 attendees and 30 presenters from institutions in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, New Zealand, UK and US gathered on the NAFA campus during the two-day conference to explore evolving digitally engaged teaching and learning practice, and pedagogy in art and design higher education.
Arts & Disability Forum 2025 (ADF)
NAFA is the knowledge partner for the Arts & Disability Forum 2025 (ADF), held from 25 to 29 March 2025. Led by Dr Michael Tan, Dean of Research & Knowledge Exchange at NAFA-UAS, and co-developed with ART:DIS, the NAFA X ART:DIS Collaborates — Arts and Disability Forum (ADF) Learning Enrichment Initiative aims to raise awareness of ongoing support for individuals with disabilities within local and global arts communities. Twenty artists with disabilities had the opportunity to harness their leadership skills in the arts at the ART:DIS X Sync Leadership workshop.
Dr Tan also moderated a panel discussion exploring what authentic representation and access mean in the cultural sector, and how more inclusive narratives and platforms can be created for professional artists with disabilities.
