Overview

The NAFA Mentorship Programme (MP) nurtures and grooms emerging artists and designers. The programme is open to students from the NAFA Talent Development Programme (NTDP) and young graduates, alumni and staff who have exemplified high potential to excel in their artistic craft.

Successful applicants will undergo a 3-month to a 1-year mentorship programme with an established NAFA alumnus or industry leader. The programme will match these emerging artists and designers with a practitioner to discuss ideas or concerns about their creative practice and learn from these professionals to further develop their practice.

What Does The Mentorship Programme Cover?

The mentorship programme is tailored to suit each applicant’s needs. It can range from 3 months to a year and covers the following areas (but are not limited to):

• Participating in and developing Projects
• Setting up an Exhibition or Performance
• Career Guidance
• Industry and Networking
• Entrepreneurship / Start-Up

When

Application is open all year round. The programme supports up to 10 mentorships in a year.

Eligibility

All students from NAFA Talent Development Programme, staff and alumni. Individual artists/designers or a collective of up to four artists may apply. The Primary Applicant will have to undertake responsibility on behalf of the collective.

Download the application guidelines here.
Download the application form here.

Overview

Special Projects aim to cultivate exceptional talents among students, staff, and alumni while connecting to the local and international arts and design scene.

The proposed art or design projects must have substantial content and impact locally or globally. They should reflect and raise the Academy's profile as one that is deeply engaged with arts and design practice and innovation, local and global issues, cultures, and heritage.

The Special Projects Award (SPA) supports outstanding and passionate graduates and practitioners across the creative arts and design through special projects' collaborations. SPA seeks to promote deeper student-staff-alumni-industry engagement in innovative practices and research through collaborations.

What Do The Special Projects Awards Support?

SPA invites projects and activities from staff and alumni that respond to any of the following categories (included but not limited to):

1. Competitions and Showcase
   
   • Respond to a local or internationally acclaimed competition; or
   • Local or international arts or design festival/event open call for showcase or performance


2. Research and Innovation
   
   • Create new knowledge through investigation and deep inquiry into creative practices and the creative arts landscape
   • Address local or global problems, e.g. ageing population, sustainability, environmental issues
   • Instigate innovation and generate new insights


3. Community and Place-making
   
   • Engage communities meaningfully through arts and design
   • Promote inclusivity and diversity
   • Bring communities together and enrich the greater NAFA community

The award is capped at $25,000 per project, covering the professional fees for personnel involved and material costs associated with the project. Proposals can be approved with full or partial funding depending on the scale and complexity of the project. Up to 3 projects will be awarded in a year.

When

Application is open all year round.

Eligibility

Staff, alumni and nominated students. Individual artists/designers or a collective of up to four artists may apply. The Primary Applicant will have to undertake responsibility on behalf of the collective.

Download the application guidelines here.
Download the application form here.
Download the budget form here.

Overview

The Studio Residency @NAFA (SR @NAFA) aims to support exceptional students, staff and alumni for professional development and foster collaboration and interdisciplinary exchange amongst staff, alumni, practicing artists and designers locally and internationally.

The SR awards the selected applicant studio space, where they are also allowed access to various workshops and facilities for their creations during the residency. The 1 to 2-month residency programme enables candidates to create, interact, collaborate and build professional networks.

What Does The Studio Residency Cover?

Apart from studio space and access to various workshops and facilities, applicants can specify other support areas needed during their residency. Workshops are subject to availability during the residency.

Special Projects Unit (SPU) will work closely with residents to accommodate their needs. Residents are expected to be self-sufficient; limited technical support will be available.

When

The SRP takes place from June to July (Special Term). The table below lists the key dates:

Residency Period	Apply by	Notified by
1 June to 29 July 2022	15 March 2022	3 May 2022

Eligibility

All students from NAFA Talent Development Programme, staff and alumni. Individual artists/designers or a collective of up to four artists may apply. The Primary Applicant will have to undertake responsibility on behalf of the collective.

Download the application guidelines here.
Download the application form here.