Established in April 2010, the Institute of Southeast Asian Arts (ISEAA) aims to develop the capabilities of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in a niche area of global art being practiced in the region. This endeavour is of benefit to the multidisciplinary nature of NAFA’s contemporary arts training, which includes Fine Art, 3D Design, Design & Media, Arts Management, Fashion, Theatre, Dance, and Music.

As a research and resource development agency within NAFA, ISEAA leverages the inventory holdings of the academy and develops Southeast Asian study resources to contextualise practice-based and practice-led learning for the academy’s students and faculty. The manifestations of the programming are critically integrated into the curriculum and course modules to expand the academic investigations of conventional disciplines into the realm of Southeast Asian art.

ISEAA also builds a network of external partners to represent the spectrum of visual and performing arts in Singapore and the region. Activities include artist talks, masterclasses, workshops, artist-in-residence and interdisciplinary projects of participatory nature, which harness heritage and contemporary arts, leading to collaborative outcomes such as exhibitions, performances and publications.