Photo credit: Cité internationale des arts © Maurine Tric / Adagp, Paris 2023
The Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), founding member of the University of the Arts Singapore, made two landmark announcements at its 85th Anniversary Gala celebrations:
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residency applications are available from 2024 for all Singaporean and Southeast Asian artists at NAFA’s studios in Cité internationale des arts, Paris, and;
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the world’s very first Living Archive of Contemporary Asian Art (LACAA), a student-led resource centre and online repository committed to artistic knowledge and production in Southeast Asia, made accessible worldwide.
Witnessed by over 300 attendees, Guest of Honour Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong shared about the Paris studios, while NAFA Board Chairman Ms Low Sin Leng spoke about LACAA and reaffirmed the academy’s vision to advance the region’s arts landscape through education and practice.
Two studio residencies at Cité internationale des arts, Paris
NAFA first established its two artist studios at the Cité internationale des arts in 1998 and 1999. Since then, the studios have housed NAFA-affiliated artists, including numerous Cultural Medallion recipients such as Han Sai Por, Lim Yew Kuan, Tan Choh Tee, Chng Seok Tin, and Lim Tze Peng, and younger artists such as Tay Bak Chiang and Quek Kiat Sing. Over 25 years, the studios have welcomed more than 70 artists.
Located in the arts and culture mecca of Paris, which also homes the famed Beaux- Arts de Paris, Académie Julian, and Académie de la Grande Chaumière; artists have access to some of the greatest resources and galleries in the world, including the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay. In partnership with more than a hundred French and international organisations, Cité welcomes more than 300 artists monthly from a wide range of disciplines for residencies lasting up to a year. The diverse range of artists in residence allows for rich artistic conversations and potential for collaborations.
Moving forward, NAFA will continue supporting the development of artists in Singapore and Southeast Asia by setting aside one of its studios for the wider community to take on residencies, be inspired, and to create and network with their counterparts in Paris. From 2024, NAFA will avail this unique experience to artists in Singapore and Southeast Asia across various disciplines including Fine Art, Curation, Photography, Design, Music, Dance, Theatre, Arts Management, and Literary Arts. Residencies will run for around four months. All interested applicants may contact the NAFA Special Projects Unit.
The Living Archive of Contemporary Asian Art (LACAA)
Launched by NAFA’s School of Fine Art in 2023, LACAA is a student-led resource centre and online repository committed to artistic knowledge and production in Southeast Asia. As part of the academy’s Fine Art undergraduate curriculum, students investigate the roles and contributions of selected artists by engaging with their art practice, and focus on the artists’ voice and lived experiences.
A first of its kind in the world with a focus on the region, LACAA is an archival platform for research, academia and practice; while serving as an ever-growing repository to generate and collect new perspectives, discussions and discourse. More works and conversations will breed, contributing to the growth and maturity of regional arts and culture. Information gathered such as documentations, interview transcripts, critical analysis, and soundbites, are curated by the students before they are archived on LACAA.
The premiere line-up of distinguished artists to enter the archives includes Han Sai Por, Rizman Putra, and Vincent Leow. More artists will be added with the progression of this effort. As stewards of Southeast Asian arts and the NAFA influence, as well as the artistic advancement of the region, this repository is publicly available at www.lacaa-fa.org.
In its 85th year, NAFA renews its commitment to inspire learning and growth through the arts. This year, the academy also rolled out a brand refresh, launching a new logo driven by its brand mantra, “Courage to Create”. As a founding member of the newly established University of the Arts Singapore, the academy will continue to nurture budding arts aspirants, while inspiring future generations to a bold new future.
ANNEX 1 – Background Information