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Established in 1938, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) is Singapore’s pioneer and largest arts institution. The academy is known for its rigorous and high-quality curriculum, innovative and practitioners-led teaching approach, diverse artistic creations and community outreach.

NAFA has nurtured the most number of alumni conferred the nation’s highest accolades, with 13 Cultural Medallion and 15 Young Artist Award recipients. NAFA graduates are creative changemakers, highly skilled, and well-rounded in interdisciplinary approaches who impact diverse arts and creative fields in Singapore and abroad.

The academy offers full-time diploma, bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes across three faculties: Faculty of Art & Design, Faculty of Performing Arts, and Faculty of Interdisciplinary Practices. All students are provided with global engagement opportunities through overseas immersion programmes and study trips, international placements, and student exchanges. Their learning is also enriched by visiting artists and academics’ masterclasses. Eminent international university partners include the Royal College of Music in London, Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, and University of the Arts London.

Renowned for its unique identity and strength in Southeast Asian arts, NAFA’s Institute of Southeast Asian Arts (ISEAA) leads in Southeast Asian arts practice and research locally and internationally. With a rich heritage, established track record and an unwavering dedication to the highest standards of arts education, NAFA lives up to its mission of “inspiring learning and growth through the arts” with a first-in-Asia cradle-to-grey pathway in arts education.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

NAFA celebrated its 85th Anniversary last year with much vigour and splendour.  We are now a proud founding member of University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), and stand strong on a global stage in partnership with eminent institutions including Royal College of Music, London, University of the Arts London, and Central Conservatory of Music (Beijing). As NAFA marches on to its centenary milestone, we look back with great pride on our achievements and look ahead with great energy and confidence.

Indeed, since its founding in 1938, NAFA has transformed more than 16,000 full-time students, and over 140,000 students from our part-time and junior courses.  Most notably, NAFA is proud of its illustrious alumni which include 13 Cultural Medallion recipients such as Han Sai Por and Wee Beng Chong, and 15 Young Artist Award recipients such as Dr Goh Toh Chai and Yeo Chee Kiong, who continue to nurture young changemakers at NAFA.  We are also privileged to have a distinguished faculty which includes eminent figures such as the late pioneer artists Chen Chong Swee, Chen Wen Hsi, Cheong Soo Pieng, Georgette Chen, along with music maestro Lim Yau who continues to teach at NAFA.  They exemplify NAFA’s rich heritage, vibrant community, and the strong traditions rooted in its Southeast Asian identity.

With NAFA’s unique identity and strength in Southeast Asian arts, its Institute of Southeast Asian Arts (ISEAA), established in 2010 has been championing and leading Southeast Asian arts practice and research locally and internationally. The Southeast Asian Arts Forum is now an annual feature that brings together regional experts from a gamut of creative and academic disciplines, forging and nurturing connections through the facilitation of critical discourse on practice, politics, and education of creative arts. Through its Art Galleries, ISEAA features exhibitions on Southeast Asian artists including Yong Mun Sen in Nanyang and Art School SG: Tang Da Wu, as well as seminal figures such as Tay Bak Koi, Tan Kian Por, and Yeo Hoe Koon.  These have become must-see or highly sought-after exhibitions in the yearly arts and culture calendar.

At NAFA, we believe that art is for everyone and have stayed true to our mission of inspiring learning and growth through the arts.  As the only arts institution that provides learning at all ages and levels, we welcome tertiary students to our flagship diploma, degree, and master’s programmes; adult learners to our Centre for Lifelong Education courses; young students to our junior courses in the School of Young Talents and children from 18-months old to our arts-enriched preschool education. Through these encounters with the arts, NAFA opens the learners’ minds to the power and possibilities of how the arts can enhance their lives and change our world for the better.

Our diverse and world-class faculty at NAFA are known to be caring and great mentors.  They inspire, guide, and help shape students into future-ready changemakers.  With faculties in Art & Design, Performing Arts, and Interdisciplinary Practices working closely together, NAFA’s multidisciplinary approach and strong technical foundations provide a robust canvas for arts aspirants to boldly craft their futures.  Upholding our stewardship for Southeast Asian identity, we support artists in Singapore and Southeast Asia through residency opportunities at our Cite des arts internationale Paris studios.

Journeying ahead towards NAFA100, we are excited to fill the next chapter with new areas of focus in programmes and research, leveraging technology to be at the forefront of arts and education practices.  Building on our current esteemed partnerships and alliances, we will forge ahead with new strategic partners, and pursue international outreach to nurture global citizens.

To all enthusiasts, budding artists and designers; have the courage to create and boldly empower your artistic passion. Come along and join our big NAFA family where your exciting artistic journey finds a home.


Mrs Tan-Soh Wai Lan
President
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts

President-Message-2024

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Vision

A leading arts institution enriching lives and communities through education and practice

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Mission

Inspire learning and growth through the arts

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Core Values

Passion, Care and achieving Excellence through
the NAFA spirit of Creativity, Exploration and Resilience

MORE ABOUT NAFA

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