Arts House Group and NAFA launch arts-tech partnership at Stamford Arts Centre to advance arts education, innovation and collaboration

Image courtesy of Arts House Group

The enhanced Stamford Arts Centre Black Box will provide up to 3,000 arts-tech learning opportunities for NAFA students over the next three years through the NAFA Creative Tech Lab initiative, while remaining accessible to the wider arts community.

Arts House Group, a leading non-profit arts organisation and cultural venue manager, and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), an established leader in arts education and contemporary arts practice, are proud to announce a pioneering partnership to advance arts-tech learning and creative practice through the enhanced Black Box at Stamford Arts Centre, where the NAFA Creative Tech Lab initiative will support arts-tech learning, artistic practice and interdisciplinary creation.

Located just steps from NAFA’s Bencoolen Street campus, the Stamford Arts Centre Black Box has been upgraded to enhance its functionality and versatility for arts education, experimentation and presentation. Its capabilities include immersive audio, projection mapping and Pepper Scrim holographic staging, providing an accessible environment for creative experimentation and tech-enabled production.

Through the NAFA Creative Tech Lab initiative, NAFA students and faculty can use the space to explore and experiment with digital arts production and technical theatre innovation. The Black Box continues to function as a full-fledged professional arts venue with purpose-built technologies to present and showcase tech-enabled performances, productions, and public-facing events.

Transforming Arts Education and Innovation

The enhanced Stamford Arts Centre Black Box forms part of Arts House Group’s broader commitment to support Singapore’s arts ecosystem by equipping the next generation of arts practitioners with relevant technological capabilities.

By uniting Arts House Group’s expertise in venue management and technical production with NAFA’s strengths in arts education and creative practice across music, dance, theatre, and visual arts, this three-year partnership creates opportunities for arts-tech learning, experimentation and collaboration. Arts House Group plays an active connecting role between education, industry, and professional practice by creating a clear talent-to-industry pipeline, enabling real-world collaboration, and positioning the Black Box as a testbed for new creative production models.

Beyond training, the enhanced Black Box supports professional presentation and industry engagement, allowing students to develop industry-relevant works while strengthening graduate employability and advancing professional arts practice. In doing so, the partnership contributes to the growth of the sector and reinforces Singapore’s cultural edge within the global arts landscape.

During the academic term, the NAFA Creative Tech Lab initiative will use the Black Box to support Creative Tech learning and experimentation across music, dance, theatre and other areas of performance, with opportunities for wider interdisciplinary collaboration across NAFA. Outside curriculum hours, the space will be made available for bookings by the wider arts community and other users, extending its impact and ensuring broader access to professional-grade facilities.

Key Features and Impact:

• Upgraded lighting, audio and projection systems support high-quality productions, presentations and events.
• Projection mapping and Pepper Scrim technology enable immersive, visually dynamic and hologram-style experiences.
• Enhanced acoustics through soundproofing, new drapes and surround sound systems create richer and more focused audience experiences.
• Expanded wing space, crossover access and upgraded stage systems improve venue flexibility and operational efficiency.
• Energy-efficient lighting and upgraded infrastructure enhance sustainability, safety and technical readiness.
• Supports cross-disciplinary collaboration between NAFA students, Arts House Group artist tenants and industry practitioners.
• The NAFA Creative Tech Lab initiative forms part of NAFA's broader approach to digital innovation, providing students with hands-on exposure to creative technologies.
• The Black Box is open beyond curriculum hours to artists and arts groups, supporting sector-wide innovation, experimentation and skills development.

Arts House Group’s Commitment to the Future of the Arts

As a champion of Singapore’s creative sector, Arts House Group is committed to providing transformative opportunities for young artists and arts professionals. Through the enhancement of the Stamford Arts Centre Black Box and its partnership with NAFA, Arts House Group advances its mission to nurture future arts leadership by offering students hands-on access to industry-grade technologies, mentorship from experienced practitioners, and a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and artistic growth. Arts House Group will work closely with NAFA to identify opportunities for students to engage and build networks with the arts community, including with hirers of the Stamford Arts Centre Black Box or artists who are arts tenants of Arts House Group.

Sharon Tan, Executive Director of Arts House Group, shared, “This collaboration with NAFA exemplifies AHG’s dedication to cultivating talent and fostering a culture of creativity and innovation. The partnership is a testament to AHG’s ongoing commitment to enriching the community, growing the arts sector, and inspiring the next wave of creative talent.”

Mrs Tan-Soh Wai Lan, President of NAFA, said, “Technology is increasingly part of how art is conceived, produced and experienced. Our responsibility goes beyond introducing our students to new technologies. We need to give them meaningful opportunities to work with these tools as part of their education and artistic practice. Through the NAFA Creative Tech Lab initiative, our students can gain hands-on experience with the tools and workflows used in professional settings, understand how different technologies come together in a production, and develop the confidence to test and refine their ideas.”

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