Prof Caren Carino

Professor Cariño is Dean of the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Practices at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), University of the Arts Singapore, providing strategic leadership for the Schools of Arts Management and Interdisciplinary Arts, while also serving as Associate Dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Arts. Her work advances interdisciplinary and intercultural innovation through collaborative practice. She spearheaded the BA (Hons) Performance Making programme and INterSPACE, a platform for student-led interdisciplinary performance-making.

Previously Associate Dean of the School of Dance, Prof Cariño led the development of a conservatory training model reimagined through contemporary practice and spearheaded key initiatives, including The Third Space productions and the New Asian Imaginations: (Re)searching the Arts in Southeast Asia symposium. Under her leadership, graduates secured full-time positions with all of Singapore's major dance companies, reflecting the school's reputation for preparing industry-ready artists.

Prof Cariño has established strategic international academic partnerships and remains active in national initiatives with leading cultural organisations in Singapore. She also served as President of World Dance Alliance Singapore, where she chaired the Asia-Pacific Dance Bridge international conferences.

Her research focuses on dance, interdisciplinary education, performance making and cultural discourse. She has published widely, including co-editing Evolving Synergies: Celebrating Dance in Singapore.