And the Cats Dance by the Light
2024-04-15 08:00 - 17:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Drama Centre Black Box, Singapore, Select a Country:
Harry and Mary live alone with their cat. Their son and granddaughter visit occasionally, coming and going, their lives shifting further from the family home. As Mary’s primary caregiver, Harry has shouldered his responsibilities with cheerfulness and optimism, but when his health reaches a critical point – he finds himself struggling. Can he still choose his life with Mary? Can he accept the reality of change? And will the cat ever help? Life continues to bring the unexpected, and the family must make their way.
Through devised movement and puppetry, with humour and gentle observation, And the Cats Dance by the Light invites audiences to reflect on the intricate tapestry of human connection. From the original script, The Wind Came Home (2014) written by Kok Heng Leun and adapted together with Tan Wei Ting, this reimagined play is directed by Tan Beng Tian and performed by the ITI graduating class of 2024.
And the Cats Dance by the Light was adapted from The Wind Came Home (2014), written and staged as part of ‘Both Sides, Now’, originally co-presented by Drama Box and ArtsWok Collaborative

Admission for ages 12 and above.
This performance features the use of creative captioning.

Production Credits:
Director: Tan Beng Tian
Playwrights: Kok Heng Leun & Tan Wei Ting
Sound Designer: Bennett Bay
Lighting Designer: Tai Zi Feng
Set Designer: Lim Chin Huat
Caption Designer: Joanna Ong
Costume Designer: Eve Tan
Production Manager: Clarisse Ng
Stage Manager: Cindy Sng
Cast:
Adam Guevarra Almeniana, Akshay Sharma, Karthik S., Krys Yuan, Lam Man Yik

POA Opening Keynotes: Diamantina Arcoiris & Hira Nabi
2024-04-17 19:30 - 23:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | 72-13, 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore, Singapore, 239007, Singapore, 239007, Singapore
The POA Opening Keynotes focus on self-care and our sustainable relationship with nature – Redesigning Ourselves with fashion designer Diamantina Arcoiris (Bogotá) and How to Love a Tree by filmmaker and visual artist Hira Nabi (Lahore/Amsterdam).

Learn more about the Fellows here.

Redesigning Ourselves by Diamantina Arcoiris
Drawing on therapeutic aspects of creativity and creative production, fashion designer Diamantina Arcoiris empowers marginalised communities to explore alternative possibilities and ‘redesign’ their lives. For her keynote Redesigning Ourselves, 72-13 is transformed into a fashion atelier infusing it with elements of Diamantina’s creative workshop located in the red light district of Bogotá. The workshop is a potently regenerative and transformative space: an educational centre, a flexible activity space as well as a refuge for the community of drug users, the homeless, and sex workers she works with. Over the years the creative workshop has become a fashion house producing socially responsible and sustainable fashion brand Amor Real. In the Singapore atelier, Diamantina curates a selection of embroidered haute couture, streetwear and blankets crafted by these vulnerable groups. Each embroidered garment and material tells a story of the process of social rehabilitation, emotional healing, and personal growth.

How to love a tree by Hira Nabi
In her lecture performance How to Love a Tree, Hira Nabi will weave together narratives from wooded landscapes, misty mountain sides, the ghosts of extraction and British imperialism, inviting the audience into forest time and inhabiting multiple temporalities at once. How to love a tree (2019 – ongoing) is a long-term project thinking with and about trees, disappearance, extinctions, extraction, love, care, and life and decay. The project includes moving images, audio, text, performance, printmaking, and rubbings, documenting the former colonial stations, now tourist resort towns in the blue pine forests of Murree and the Galiyat region of Pakistan. The project examines the through-line of extraction from colonial extractivist policies to an infrastructure of tourism, modernity that brings destruction with its arrival, and leaves behind extinction in its wake. Within the project, she asks, ‘What does disappearance look like? What traces does it leave behind? What is the texture of rot, debris and ruins?’

Iloilo Mega Book Fair 2024
2024-04-19 - 2024-04-21 | SM City Iloilo, Philippines
The seventh Iloilo Mega Book Fair with the theme “”Our Shared Narratives: Embracing Indigenous Voices.” Iloilo City, with the slogan “The City That Reads,” cradles various indigenous traditions that inform contemporary creativities which, in recent years, has worked at building an audience around local writing and literatures. Central to this is homegrown Kasingkasing Press which has organized the IMBF since its inception.
This year’s IMBF coincides with the first Leoncio P. Deriada Conference on Literature and Cultural Work on April 19, 2024 at the UPV Cinematheque, Iloilo City Campus. Organized by the Hubon Manunulat and the Division of Humanities of University of the Philippines Visayas this conference pushes to the fore the contributions of the Leoncio P. Deriada, the Father of Contemporary West Visayan Literature, with the conference theme “Leoncio P. Deriada: Literary Artist, Critic, and Cultural Worker for the Filipino Nation.”
Registration for the conference is here.
More information on the IMBF here.

Fukusa: Japanese Gift Covers from the Chris Hall Collection
2024-04-19 10:00 - 2024-08-25 19:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Peranakan Museum, 39 Armenian St, Singapore, Singapore 179941, Singapore
19 April to 25 August 2024
Daily, 10am–7pm | Fridays, 10am–9pm
Peranakan Museum
$6 for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents; $16 for Foreigners

Why and how do we give gifts? The act of gifting is deeply ingrained and takes many forms across histories and cultures. In Japan, the practice of formally presenting gifts with silk covers called fukusa began in the Edo period (1603–1868). These covers were draped or folded over gifts for a variety of occasions, from seasonal festivities to important personal events, and are some of the finest examples of Japanese textile artistry.

Fukusa: Japanese Gift Covers from the Chris Hall Collection celebrates a major gift of Japanese art from the renowned collector Chris Hall. With over 80 fukusa, kimonos, and related textiles displayed, the exhibition explores craft; trade and exchange between Japan, China, and the West; and the act of gifting across cultures, as seen through a presentation of Peranakan textiles from the National Collection. Visitors are invited to draw connections between gift customs of the past and present through an interactive digital programme, and to participate in hands-on workshops, performances, and tours.

Enno Cheng Spring Tour 2024- Singapore
2024-04-19 19:30 - 21:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Lion Studios, 115B Commonwealth Dr, #02-00, Singapore 149597, Singapore, Singapore
Multi-talented Taiwanese singer-songwriter Enno Cheng, is gearing up for an exhilarating musical escapade across cities in Asia this spring with her highly anticipated 2024 tour, and the Lion City is one of the regional stops.
The performance, aptly titled “ENNO CHENG Spring TOUR 2024 Singapore” provides Cheng the opportunity to continue sharing the music she has been embodying for more than a decade. Set to take the stage at the Lion Studios on Friday, 19 April 2024, the singer promises an intimate and unforgettable evening for fans, both existing and new. Ticket is priced at SGD$108 (Before GST) and available now from Eventbrite website.
The tour is set to kick off in Hong Kong on Saturday, April 13, before making its way to Singapore on April 19. The Malaysia leg will take place one day after she hits our shores, on Saturday, April 20.
Enno Cheng, a singer-songwriter, actress and writer, has released four albums, “ Neptune” “Pluto” “ Dear Uranus” and “Mercury Retrograde” since her debut in 2007. She was one of the members of two Taiwanese indie bands, “Chocolate Tiger” and “Felix Felicis”, and also invited to perform worldwide such as SXSW, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. She gave her solo concert at Taipei Music Center in 2022 which was a sell-out show of 5000 people.
“Mercury Retrograde” marks Enno’s new body of work in 2022 which is written in Taiwanese
and collaborated with producer Chunho. They folds multiple influences– electronic, rock with foundation of folklore into an innovative genre of Taiwanese Hokkien song which has been widely appreciated and picked up“Best Taiwanese Album” and “ Best Taiwanese Female Singer” of The 34th Golden Melody Awards.
ENNO CHENG Spring TOUR 2024 Singapore
Date: 19 April 2024 (Fri)
Time: 7:30pm (Doors open at 7:00pm)
Venue: Lion Studios
115B Commonwealth Dr, #02-00, Singapore 149597
Ticket Price: SGD$108 (Before GST)
Ticketing Website: https://reurl.cc/G4ygqZ
Organiser: Lion Studios｜Walking Music CO., LTD.

TGIF Music Station 周5音乐站: Memories 铭记在心
2024-04-19 20:00 - 22:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Ho Bee Concourse, Level 1, 1 Straits Boulevard, Singapore 018906, 018906, Singapore
Featuring Singapore’s favourite performing artists and rising stars, join us for good local music performances at TGIF Music Station!
Featuring Annette Lee 李安, Lee Sung Chan 李诚燦, Sherraine Law 罗翊绮, Felicia Kusumo 孔俐蒽 and Likie Low 刘礼齐.
Hosted by YES 933 DJ Tan Ting Fong 陈廷丰 and Zheng Yu Rong 郑宇容
Performances will be in hybrid format with live performance at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and, online at the following platforms:

Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s Facebook Page
Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre TikTok Channel @SingaporeCCC
Cross Ratio Entertainment’s Facebook Page
YES 933’s Facebook Page
YES 933’s TikTok Channel @yes933
8world Entertainment and Lifestyle’s Facebook Page
KKBOX’s Facebook Page

In line with the remembrance of our loved ones during Qingming Festival this month, let us ring in the new season of TGIF Music Station with love as families gather to remember their loved ones.Through the power of music, join artistes Annette Lee 李安, Lee Sung Chan 李诚燦, Sherraine Law 罗翊绮, Felicia Kusumo 孔俐蒽 and Likie Low 刘礼齐 as we look back on fond memories and create new ones!
[EXCLUSIVE GIVEAWAY] Stay tuned to Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s Instagram page and stand a chance to win a 2-months KKBOX subscription!

Secondary: The Musical by Checkpoint Theatre
2024-04-19 20:00 - 2024-04-28 15:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Victoria Theatre, 9 Empress Pl, 179556, Singapore, 179556, Singapore
School isn’t easy for anyone, whether you’re a student or a teacher. And with exams coming, nobody’s life will be the same.
Pushed and pulled in different directions, Lilin is a young teacher trying to make it through yet another term while helping her students. Battle-worn Secondary 3s Ming, Omar, and Reyansh are trying to handle the challenges in school and at home with bravery and grace. But in a system that values specific kinds of success, can their efforts be recognised?

Hilarious and deeply moving, this landmark work by Checkpoint Theatre is an unforgettable dive into life in a Singapore school, with all its delicate joys, complicated heartbreak and unexpected beauty.
Playwright-composer weish is hailed as “one of the city-state’s most acclaimed musicians” (UK’s New Musical Express), creating soundscapes that are “hauntingly emotive and superbly alluring” (Bandwagon). With this astonishing new work, she forges a contemporary landscape of storytelling unlike any other musical.
Under the direction of the acclaimed Huzir Sulaiman, Secondary: The Musical features a stellar ensemble cast of Adeeb Fazah, Audrey Luo, Ethel Yap, Genevieve Tan, Joshua Lim, Krish Natarajan, Nadya Zaheer, Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai, Shahid Nasheer, Teoh Jun Vinh, Tiara Yap and Tricia Tan.
With a powerful, affecting script, and incredible new songs, Secondary: The Musical questions what happens when life is dictated by a final grade.
All performances of Secondary: The Musical will be fully captioned.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours 40 minutes with 15 minutes interval
Advisory – Some Mature Content

Per°Form Open Academy Marathon
2024-04-20 - 2024-04-21 | 72-13, 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore, Singapore, 239007, Singapore, 239007, Singapore
Central to the Per°Form Open Academy of Arts and Activations is the marathon. A relaxed and casual urban picnic set in 72-13. Here, amidst hanging hammocks, an ensemble of Global South Fellows tell stories of their situated practices. Each is a window to different worlds. Inventive, funny, poignant, and riotous ways to activate possible futures. Stay for as long as you desire. Leave the picnic and then return later. Or experience it all from start to finish. Everyone is welcome.
The urban picnic ends with a feast at The Commune Banquet – a convivial chatter over a meal.
Come to the POA Marathon and meet the Global South Fellows:
Aziz Sohail [Karachi/Melbourne]
Chathuri Nissansala [Colombo]
Diamantina Arcoiris [Bogotá]
Etcétera [Buenos Aires & Santiago]
Hira Nabi [Lahore / Amsterdam]
Marianne Fahmy [Alexandria]
YoNoFui [Buenos Aires]
Radhika Hettiarachchi [Colombo]
Selma & Sofiane Ouissi [Tunis]
Sharareh Bajracharya [Kathmandu]
Sunday Obiajulu Ozegbe (Valu) [Lagos]
Ujjwala Maharjan [Kathmandu]

Dia Del Libro
2024-04-20 09:30 - 23:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Ayala Triangle Gardens, Ayala Triangle, Ayala Avenue, Makati, 1200, Philippines
The Instituto Cervantes Manila celebrates the Day Of The Book on April 20 2024, with multiple events at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati. Along with a chosen selection of book sellers and local presses, Dia Del Libro will also mark the opening of the WTA Open Library, a collaboration between architecture studio WTA, Ayala Land, and Instituto Cervantes. This is an open library where books are “recycled” and exchanged. There is also Paseo de la Poesia, a street that gathers Filipino, Spanish, and Latin American poetry, with opening ceremonies and poetry reading at 11:00 AM. There will also be drawing workshops and talks throughout the day.
The event is free and open to the public.
More details here.

The Red Pencil (Singapore) Art To HeART Charity Walkathon 2024
2024-04-21 08:00 - 10:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Seletar Country Club, Singapore
Walk For A Change. Walk For Mental Health.

Join us for a cause at The Red Pencil (Singapore)’s inaugural Art To HeART Charity Walkathon 2024!
Be part of our Charity Walkathon held in partnership with Seletar Country Club and show your support for mental health. Walk alongside us in solidarity with the underprivileged beneficiaries of our art therapy programmes. Plus, don’t miss the special appearance by football legend Mr. Quah Kim Song as our Guest of Honour!
Enjoy a fun warm-up session by Mom In Balance before the flag-off. After the walk, engage in interactive art-making activities suitable for all ages. Everyone goes home with a Goodie Pack that includes face towels courtesy of Singapore Pools.
Sign up now to be part of something meaningful for the whole family!

Registration Link here: https://redpencil.org/singapore/art-to-heart-charity-walkathon/

Where Art and ADHD Collide
2024-04-22 18:30 - 21:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Block 9 Dempsey Rd, #01-11, Singapore 247697, Artitude, Block 9 Dempsey Rd, #01-11, Singapore 247697, singapore, 247697, Singapore
Unlocking ADHD and Guan Hin Tay, Collide, Chairman, BBDO/ book writer “COLLIDE” presents “Where Art and ADHD Collide”
“Where Art and ADHD Collide” is not just an event; it’s a celebration of creativity, diversity, and inclusion. We aim to shed light on the often misunderstood world of ADHD or vulnerable groups (Budget 2024: MPs debated measures to uplift vulnerable groups of workers), showcasing the remarkable talents and resilience of individuals diagnosed with this condition.
The event will feature Singapore’s first-ever LIVE painting inspired by the book, “Collide” by individuals with ADHD. A silent auction will accompany the painting, allowing attendees to support Unlocking ADHD and the participating artists.
One of the key figures in this endeavor is Khaitama D. Sun, Singapore’s only artist who draws with drumsticks at the sound of rhythm and words. He plans to draw two paintings in one go, one with his left hand and the other with his right hand.

European Film Festival 2024
2024-04-23 19:00 - 2024-05-25 20:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Golden Village x The Projector at Cineleisure, 8 Grange Road, Singapore, Singapore, 239695, Singapore
A month-long festival, a new venue in the heart of Singapore and new partnerships mark the 33rd edition of the European Film Festival (EUFF).
Presented by the European Union (EU) Delegation to Singapore, EUFF shines the spotlight on European cinema by bringing films to Singapore reflecting Europe’s creativity, inclusivity, and diversity. The EUFF runs at The Projector (Cineleisure) from 23rd April to 25thMay 2024. With its new screening location, the festival moves to the heart of Singapore, making it more accessible to the general public. This year’s festival presents 24 films from 24 countries over a longer festival period, reflecting on the variety of perspectives, histories, languages and cultures from across Europe.
EUFF 2024 Opening Film: The Featured Country this year is Belgium and opens the festival with its film Here on 23rd April. Directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Bas Devos, this is a moving tale of fleeting encounters aided by hot soup and humble plant life. In suburban Brussels, Stefan, an unassuming Romanian construction worker prepares to leave for home. He clears out his fridge and cooks a pot of soulful borscht, passing it on to fellow kindred spirits, sowing love one bowl at a time. A chance encounter with bryologist Shuxiu blossoms into a friendship as she opens his eyes to the once-invisible growth of mosses that thrive in the city’s crevices.
Festival Films: EUFF offers a range of movie genres including drama, historical drama, documentary, musical, comedy and family-friendly films from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine. Films screened are recent, and have had success in their country of origin and often internationally.

Earth Day 2024: "Mebuyan's Colony" Opening
2024-04-25 | Cultural Center of the Philippines, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Pasay, Metro Manila, 1300, Philippines
Earth Day 2024 will be celebrated at the Cultural Center of the Philippines through the opening of the outdoor installation by Filipino artist Leeroy New entitled “Mebuyan’s Colony.” An invitation to reflect on interconnectedness in relation to environmental consciousness, the exhibition will be at the CCP Front Lawn / Liwasang KaLIKHAsan.

vOilah! France Singapore Festival 2024
2024-04-25 - 2024-05-26 | Held across various locations
vOilah! France Singapore Festival 2024
25 April – 26 May 2024
Various locations around Singapore
Go on a journey to discover a world of French creativity and innovation at vOilah! France Singapore Festival 2024!
Organised by the Embassy of France, this edition of the established cultural festival promises a celebration of passions, inviting attendees to immerse themselves in the vibrant and multi-faceted French culture brought to life and made better with a Singaporean touch.
From riveting theatrical and musical performances, concerts and films to powerful installations and exhibitions – there are many ways for you to get into the spirit of joie de vivre as you indulge your own passions. Prepare to be transported to the heart of France right here in the vibrant city of Singapore, as we embark on the ultimate cultural exchange like no other.
Check out the full line-up of programmes by visiting https://www.voilah.sg/france-singapore-festival-2024/

Alitaptap Arts Festival: Pista ng Sining (Festival of the Arts)
2024-04-25 - 2024-04-27 | Alitaptap Artists Community, Halang-Alingaro Road, Purok 7, Brgy. Halang, Amadeo, Cavite, Philippines
The Alitaptap Artists Community is holding the 2nd Pista ng Sining, Alitaptap Arts Festival from April 25 to 27 2024, with workshops for sculpture, sound art, music, theater, installation art, painting, and pottery. The Festival will also host artist talks and film showings as well as a concert on its last day. Merchants and sellers are also welcome to sell their products. Festival goers are encouraged to bring camping materials and spend the night at the camp grounds.
https://www.facebook.com/AlitaptapArtistsCommunity

CALL FOR ARTISTS: LONDON CONTEMPORARY 2024 – 11TH EDITION
2024-04-26 08:00 - 2024-05-10 17:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | LONDON
CALL FOR ARTISTS
LONDON CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR 2024 – 11TH EDITION
London | April 26 – May 10, 2024
Deadline: February 29, 2024
ITSLIQUID Group, in collaboration with YMX Arts, is pleased to announce the open call for the 11th edition of LONDON CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR, which will take place in London, at ELEMENTS Contemporary Art Space from April 26 to May 10, 2024.
LONDON CONTEMPORARY will provide artists and exhibitors with the unique opportunity to present their works to an international audience of professionals as curators, gallerists, collectors, editors and publishers who seek to acquire, publish and encourage the best contemporary art talents.

SUJAK. SUNAR. TZEE. AFTER TRADITION
2024-04-27 11:30 - 2024-05-05 19:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | The Arts House 1 Old Parliament Ln, Singapore 179429, 1 Old Parliament Ln, Singapore 179429, Singapore, Singapore, 179429, Singapore
Artists Sujak Rahman and Sunar Sugiyou come together for a new perspective on their visual work. Working in traditional media of batik and Chinese ink respectively, each pushes past boundaries of visual art expression using and reiterating their love of these heritage forms. A special tribute is also paid to the late Cultural Medallion awardee Sarkasi Said Tzee whose modern batik work adds a backdrop to their practices.
The artists will exhibit selected works from earlier and recent series as an artistic dialogue. The discourse formed by the 3 artists’ works allows a closer scrutiny of how Asian traditional media has developed in contemporary expression. Aspects of the 3 artists’ life journeys seen through various adjusted existential positions and social commentaries are posited by the artists through their works.

In Sanga’s Senses: Poetries of the Human Experience
2024-04-28 14:30 - 15:30 (Asia/Shanghai) | The Arts House, Play Den
Embark on an enchanting journey through the timeless verses of Sangam literature with “In Sanga’s Senses: The Poetries of the Human Experience.” Join storytellers and writers Aswani Aswath, Banu Suresh, and Saravanan Shanmugam as they breathe life into these ancient narratives, accompanied by the captivating live music of Brahmastra Multi-Ethnic Ensemble, under the music direction of acclaimed composer and flautist, Niranjan Pandian.
Through a symphony of senses blending music, visuals, and storytelling, immerse yourself in the universal themes of love, courage, and triumph that resonate across cultures and generations, exploring how the human experience transcends the five senses.
Presented by Brahmastra as part of the Tamil Language Festival 2024 and supported by the Tamil Language Learning and Promotion Committee (TLLPC), this concert beckons you to celebrate the beauty of being human.
Join us at the Play Den, The Arts House, on April 28th, 2024, for two unforgettable shows at 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM.
TICKET LINK: https://insanga2024.peatix.com/ General – $23
Students | NSFs | Senior Citizens – $18
ARTISTES
Musicians of Brahmastra Multi-Ethnic Wing: Alim Sazali (Bass), Azrin Abdullah (Oud), Eshan Denipitiya (Keys), Jayagowtham Annadurai (South Indian Percussions), Muraledharan Naidu (Cajon and Side Percussions), Niranjan Pandian (Music Director | Composer | Flautist) and Tan Wen Bin (Cello)
Storytellers and Writers
Aswani Aswath, Banu Suresh and Saravanan Shanmugam
Show Director: Gildon Choo

OPEN CALL VISIONS : SINGAPORE-FRANCE EMERGING ARTIST IN RESIDENCY PROGRAMME
2024-04-29 08:00 - 2024-05-12 12:00 (Europe/Paris) | Fondation Fiminco, Singapore
In partnership with INSTINC Space, National Arts Council and French Embassy, the Fondation Fiminco welcomes applications from Singaporean emerging visual artists between 21 and 35, for a 2-month research, creation and production residency in Romainville (Greater Paris) from mid-October to mid-December 2024.
The objective of this residency programme is to support a Singaporean artist by offering them the opportunity to live and work in the Fondation Fiminco artist residency and to promote them in the contemporary art networks in Paris and on the international scene.
RESIDENCY THEME/TOPICS : Memory and History
During the residency, we encourage the artist to explore the following themes: preservation and transmission of collective memory through architecture, rituals and artefacts. The ways in which collective memory is valued in the two countries, Singapore and France.
Keywords: colonial legacies, wartime experiences, cultural exchanges and heritage, urban transformation.

Open Call: Objectifs Documentary Award 2024
2024-04-29 08:00 - 2024-05-27 23:30 (Asia/Shanghai) | Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film, 155 Middle Road, Singapore, 188977, Singapore
The Objectifs Documentary Award champions Objectifs’ mission to broaden perspectives through image making, by supporting original voices in visual storytelling in Singapore and the wider region. The Award enables photographers to work on new or existing projects, encouraging them to tell stories about their native communities. It welcomes different creative approaches to non-fiction storytelling, from conventional documentary photography to visual experiments. Projects may be presented in still images or use multimedia.
Successful recipients will be given professional and financial support to work on their projects over a 6 month-long period. The final works will exhibited at Objectifs in May 2025. Deadline for applications is Monday, 27 May 2024 (2359H SGT).
Find out more about our past year recipients, mentors and curators here.
Apply now
AWARDS
1) Open Category
The Open Category is awarded to 1 recipient from Southeast Asia. The recipient will work with curator Goh Sze Ying to curate and present a solo exhibition at Objectifs in May 2025, and SGD$8,000 to work on a new or existing body of work.
One finalist will receive a grant of SGD$1,000 to continue their practice.
2) Emerging Category
The Emerging Category will be awarded to 2 recipients from Southeast Asia. Each recipient receives a 6 month-long mentorship with Jessica Lim, Director of Angkor Photo Festival & Workshops, a presentation at Objectifs in May 2025, and SGD$3,000 to work on a new or existing body of work.
One finalist will receive a grant of SGD$500 to continue their practice.
Recipients will receive production and logistical support from Objectifs for the exhibition. Completed works will be promoted on Objectifs’ website and social media channels. If the recipient is not based in Singapore, they will receive financial support for budget flights and accommodation to attend the setting up of and opening of the exhibition and conduct an artist talk/presentation.

SELECTION PANEL
A panel of five jury members will review the application materials. Jury members are:

Jessica Lim, Director of Angkor Photo Festival & Workshops. Emerging Category Mentor for 2024
Goh Sze Ying, Curator at National Gallery Singapore. Open Category Curator for 2024
Ng Swan Ti, Managing Director of PannaFoto Institute and Exhibitions Director at Jakarta International Photo Institute. Emerging Category Mentor for 2023
Roger Nelson, curator, art historian, and Assistant Professor of Art History in the School of Humanities at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Open Category Curator for 2023
Chelsea Chua, Programme Director, Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film

SELECTION PROCESS
Selection will be based on the artistic and intellectual merit of each applicant’s project. We will also consider the feasibility of the applicant completing the project by January 2025. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by the jury about their project. Successful recipients will be contacted by Jun 2024.

Application Deadline: Mon, 27 May 2024 (2359H SGT)
Announcement of Grantees: Jun 2024
Completion of Awarded Projects: Jan 2025

APPLICATION CRITERIA
We are seeking work created in photographers’ current or native communities. We welcome different creative approaches to non-fiction storytelling, including social documentary, portraiture, conceptual and art photography. Your final work can be entirely in still photography or use multimedia.
The project may be new or existing (if existing, the photographer must communicate in his/her proposal what additional plans there are for the project), and must be completed by January 2025.
1) Open Category

Open to Southeast Asian photographers (including Singapore), irrespective of age. Southeast Asian photographers who are not currently living/working in Southeast Asia may also apply.
One recipient will be selected for this category.
Applicants should ideally present an ongoing project that is near completion.
Applicants should have more than 5 years of professional photography experience (including internships and freelance work)
Applicants must be able to communicate in English
Applicants must have full copyright ownership of the work produced
Applicants will need to submit in PDF format
a. 500-word (max.) proposal
b. If proposing a new project, please share sample images showing visual approach
c. If proposing to work on/present an ongoing project, please share images from the project (max. 20 images)
d. Portfolio (max. 20 images)
e. CV

2) Emerging Category

Open to Southeast Asian photographers (including Singapore), irrespective of age.
Two recipients will be selected for this category.
Applicants must have less than 5 years of professional photography experience (including internships and freelance work)
Both ongoing or new projects are welcome
Applicants must have full copyright ownership of the work produced
Applicants will need to submit in PDF format
a. 500-word (max.) proposal
b. If proposing a new project, please share sample images showing visual approach
c. If proposing to work on/present an ongoing project, please share images from the project (max. 20 images)
d. A portfolio that includes up to 2 bodies of work (max. 20 images)
e. Biography and CV

ENTRY FEE
None.
OTHER TERMS & CONDITIONS
Award Recipients’ Commitments

Recipients should be committed to their projects. Objectifs will provide any necessary advice and support throughout the award period.
a. Open Category: The recipient will work with an experienced curator to help edit his/her work and present it in an exhibition. There will be at least 4-5 touch-points through the project, but the recipient and mentor will determine the frequency and duration of discussions to bring the project to completion.
b. Emerging Category: Both recipients will work with an experienced mentor, who is able to provide guidance and advice on refining refine his/her work. There will be at least 4-5 touch-points through the project, but the recipients and mentor will determine the frequency and duration of discussions to bring the project to completion.
In addition to working on their projects, recipients are also required to:
a. Be present during the setting up of the exhibitions and attend the exhibition opening
b. Conduct at least one artist talk/presentation
c. Make themselves available for media interviews
Recipients agree that works for the proposed project will not be shown as part of a festival, exhibition or editorial without the written consent of Objectifs, prior to the exhibition at Objectifs in May 2025.
Recipients should ensure that they obtain any relevant and/or necessary approvals, permits and/or rights when working on their projects.
Recipients should provide regular updates as to the progress of their project to Objectifs and the programme mentor/curator.
Recipients will retain copyrights of all works developed for the project.
Recipients may apply for other grants/project funds from their own countries or in Singapore, concurrent with this award.
The grant quantum is fixed. Recipients will be responsible for all incidentals, travel meals, living expenses and hiring of any assistants or production crew (if/where relevant).
Recipients grant Objectifs the right to reproduce images from the project for non-commercial purposes relating to the promotion and marketing of the Award and Objectifs programmes.
Objectifs should be acknowledged as a Supporter, together with the showcase of the Recipient’s works resulting from this Award, in any print or online platforms.
In the event that the Recipient is unable to fulfil the commitments or does not complete the project without valid reasons, Objectifs reserves the right to recover partial or full costs as provided during the Award.

General

Applications must be submitted electronically by 27 May 2024. Incomplete or physical submissions will not be accepted. We will not accept any late applications after the deadline.
The selection panel’s decision is final. We regret that we are unable to provide feedback for applicants who are not selected for the Award.
By submitting an entry, an applicant warrants and represents that any intellectual property are original to him/her, and that he/she has the rights granted for the work, that here have been no prior transfer of the rights to the images and that the publication of the images will not infringe upon any other person’s copyright or other rights. The applicant agrees to indemnify and hold Objectifs and the Selection Panel harmless from any liability, loss cost and expense (including legal fees) arising from any breach of the foregoing warrants, due to or arising out of the applicant’s entry materials for this Award or the applicant’s conduct during and in connection with the creation of his/her work for the Award.

19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in 2025: Open Call for Curatorial Proposals
2024-04-30
The Philippine Arts in Venice has announced its open call for curatorial proposals for the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in 2025. All Filipino architects, curators, practicing artists from the different disciplines, urban planners, ecological activists, geographers, historians and critics of space, heritage workers, among others, are invited to submit to the discourse on architecture that the biennale champions. Proposals grounded in research and that engages in interdisciplinary collaboration are encouraged, as well as those contextualized in urgent global challenges, the task of sustainability, and the goal of resilient design, inclusivity, and social responsibility. The Philippine Pavilion will be housed in Arsenale, the major exhibition space in Venice, Italy.
Results will be announced on May 31 2024. For more information click here.

Singapore HeritageFest 2024
2024-05-01 - 2024-05-26 | Held across various locations
Singapore HeritageFest 2024
Various locations
1 to 26 May 2024

Discover the tales of our buildings and landmarks at the 21st edition of Singapore HeritageFest (SHF). This year’s festival celebrates our nation’s rich built heritage, as well as the 40th anniversary of Total Defence. Featuring tours, trails, exhibitions, and other exciting activities across the island, SHF 2024 promises an immersive and engaging exploration of Singapore’s architectural treasures. Don’t miss crowd favourites like the Homeground exhibition, Ride & Discover and the Hop-On and Hop-Off (HOHO) bus experience, which make our history and heritage rev up to life.
More information will be available on sgheritagefest.gov.sg.

*SCAPE Creative Arts Residencies Open Call
2024-05-01 08:00 - 2024-06-30 00:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | *SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link #02-14, Singapore, Singapore, 237978, Singapore
Attention all creatives! Are you a choreographer, dancer, filmmaker, movement artist or visual artist?​
*SCAPE Creative Arts wants YOU! Join us in shaping the future of art as we collaborate, experiment, and nurture new and original works. Dive into a melting pot of groundbreaking ideas and collaborations that will catapult your artistic journey.​
Showcase your creativity and present your masterpieces in early 2025.​
​
Seize this rare chance and apply now! Application period: May – June 2024. Learn more at scape.sg/open-call.

LEELA JHANSI
2024-05-03 20:00 - 2024-05-05 22:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | Auditorium A, Komtar, Penang., Level 5, KOMTAR, Penang Road, George Town, Penang, 10050, Malaysia
Fa Abdul & Big Nose Productions brings you LEELA JHANSI, a gripping tale of a stolen childhood, where dreams clash with harsh realities in the heart of a remote village. Thirteen-year-old Leela, a spirited girl with aspirations as vast as the open skies above her, yearns for education and the promise of a better future. However, her innocent dreams are shattered when the wealthiest man in the village proposes marriage, not out of love, but as a transaction for his own gain.
LEELA JHANSI weaves a compelling narrative that challenges conventional notions of morality and tradition, urging audience to confront the uncomfortable truths that lie beneath the surface of seemingly innocent customs. Through Leela’s courageous journey, the story poses thought-provoking questions about the value of a child’s innocence, the importance of education, and the power dynamics that govern our society. It is a tale that resonates far beyond the confines of its setting, offering a poignant reflection on the universal struggle for dignity, freedom, and the pursuit of one’s dreams.
Set to grace the stage from May 3rd to 5th, 2024 at Auditorium A, Level 5, Komtar, Penang, LEELA JHANSI promises to captivate audiences with its poignant exploration of a stolen childhood and the ethical dilemma surrounding child marriage.

The Red Pencil (Singapore)’s Art Therapy Event - Minds Awaken: A Celebration of Mental Wellness!
2024-05-05 10:00 - 12:30 (Asia/Shanghai) | Sembawang Country Club, 249 Sembawang Road, Singapore 758352, Singapore, Singapore
Come join us at The Red Pencil (Singapore)’s Art Therapy Event – Minds Awaken: A Celebration of Mental Wellness!
Experience the transformative power of art therapy alongside renowned personalities musician Nathan Hartono, actress Oon Shu An, and presenter Anita Kapoor on 5 May 2024 at Sembawang Country Club’s Banquet Hall. Participants will immerse themselves in an engaging discussion panel with the celebrities and an art therapy workshop, where they can pick up art therapy self-care tips and ideas on how to make life lighter and happier.
Discover the universal accessibility of art therapy as participants engage in a hands-on session, guided by credentialed therapists. Through art, we break barriers and emphasize that mental wellness is for everyone. Moreover, our esteemed celebrities will share their personal mental health journeys, offering valuable insights into improving overall well-being.
Join The Red Pencil (Singapore) for a day of creativity, connection, and celebration as we collectively uplift spirits and ignite hope!
Ticket prices for “Minds Awaken: A Celebration of Mental Wellness” are as follows:
Registration Fee:
Stage-Front Seats: $120 (Early Bird: $100)
Normal Seats: $80 (Early Bird: $60)
Student Price: $40 (Early Bird: $30)
Early Bird Registration ends 15 April 2024!
*Opt-In FREE Shuttle Bus Service from Yishun MRT to Sembawang Country Club.
More information available in online Registration Form here – https://bit.ly/MindsAwaken

Olafur Eliasson: Your curious journey
2024-05-10 10:00 - 2024-09-22 19:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 39 Keppel Rd, 01-02, Singapore 089065, Singapore, 089065, Singapore
Olafur Eliasson: Your curious journey is the first major solo exhibition in Southeast Asia dedicated to the work of Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson. The survey exhibition presents a broad range of artworks that employ diverse media to touch on the major themes of his three-decade-long practice – embodiment, experience, perception, as well as the urgency of climate action and more-than-human perspectives.
In his art practice, Eliasson has been driven by the desire to make the ungraspable tangible. Artworks like Beauty (1993), Symbiotic seeing (2020), Ventilator (1997); and Adrift compass (2019) use ephemeral materials, such as light, wind, fog, and water, to conjure evanescent phenomena – shimmering rainbows, swirling mists, the split-second sculptural form of a spouting fountain – or make invisible elements of our surroundings like air or magnetic fields experienceable. Other works, like The cubic structural evolution project (2004), invite visitors to collaborate on creating shared experiences, building shared worlds.
Singapore Art Museum is the first stop for Your curious journey. The journeys that the artworks will take to each location over a period of three years is at the centre of one group of artworks on view in the exhibition: drawing devices installed in crates will create abstract drawings of the artworks’ long trip to their destination by truck, train, or boat. These visual traces will be on view at each leg of Your curious journey, bringing into the exhibition the global story behind the show’s development. Tickets are now on sale online at https://ticketmaster.sg/activity/detail/24sg_olafur.

Bawang Putih Bawang Merah
2024-05-10 20:00 - 21:30 (Asia/Shanghai) | Singtel Waterfront Theatre at The Esplanade, 8 Raffles Ave., Singapore 039802, Singapore, Singapore, 039802, Singapore
Delve into the intricate layers of a Nusantara folktale in the reimagination of Bawang Putih Bawang Merah—a captivating exploration of courage, challenging societal norms, and the unexpected twists of fate.

This darkly humorous and witty production breathes new life into the well-known tale, focusing on the equally enchanting stepsisters, Bawang Putih and Bawang Merah. Amidst the shadows of loss and grief, these rival siblings embark on a journey of self-discovery and liberation, guided by magical mothers, rebellious royalty, and a fabulous fairy godmother.

Can Bawang Putih and Bawang Merah, armed with unshakeable determination and guided by unconventional allies, break free from the constraints of patriarchy and monarchy? This audacious adaptation challenges traditional narratives of happily ever afters, damsels in distress, and knights in shining armour; reminding us that we can be the heroes of our own stories.

Produced by one of Singapore’s theatrical powerhouses, Teater Ekamatra, Bawang Putih Bawang Merah assembles a stacked creative team, many of whom were behind the award-winning production Bangsawan Gemala Malam (2022): Ridhwan Saidi, a Malaysian writer and filmmaker making waves in the Singapore theatre scene; Mohd Fared Jainal, a theatre stalwart known for his sharp directorial vision and innovative set design; Safuan Johari, a multi-hyphenate musician and composer; and TUBE Gallery, costume designers of the acclaimed musical Fatih – The Prince & The Drum. The star-studded cast includes Nabila Huda, Aidli ‘Alin’ Mosbit, Fir Rahman, Munah Bagharib, Rizman Putra, Siti Hajar Abdul Gani, and Siti Khalijah Zainal.

Samsara – A Cine-Concert
2024-05-10 20:00 - 21:30 (Asia/Shanghai) | Esplanade Concert Hall, Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Dr., Singapore, 038981, Singapore, Singapore, 038981, Singapore
What is one willing to give up to fulfil their insatiable desires?

Following the internationally acclaimed Setan Jawa—which premiered in 2017 to a sold-out crowd at Esplanade—respected Indonesian director Garin Nugroho returns for the world premiere of Samsara, a stunning cinematic experience that marries film with live music.

Samsara follows the story a man from an impoverished family who is rejected by the wealthy parents of the woman he loves. He strikes a bargain with the Monkey King, performing a dark ritual to gain wealth but in the process, curses his wife and child into suffering.  Rooted in Indonesian mysticism, this is a universal narrative about the insatiable hunger to be what one is not, and the boundaries one is prepared to breach to realise this.

Like its predecessor Setan Jawa, Samsara is a “cine-concert” that draws from German black-and-white films from the 1920s as well as wayang kulit (traditional Indonesian shadow puppetry). While the former featured an evocative silent film accompanied by live gamelan music and a Western classical orchestra, Samsara forgoes the orchestra for vibrant, live electronic music. The production marries this electronic soundscape with traditional Balinese performance elements like the gamelan orchestra, traditional dance, masks and wayang kulit. The film and live performance stars two Asia-Pacific luminaries of the stage and screen, Indonesian film actor Ario Bayu and Indonesian-Australian dancer Juliet Widyasari Burnett.

Under the bold visionary eye of Garin Nugroho and the exceptional work of a powerhouse creative team, Samsara promises to be a bold and memorable cinematic experience, seamlessly bringing together the art forms, nuances, and traditions of Indonesia’s past and present.

Production Credits
Lead Actors: Ario Bayu & Juliet Widyasari Burnett
Supporting Actors: Gus Bang Sada, Valentine Payen-Wicaksono, Siko Setyanto, I Wayan Wira Kusuma, Aryani Willems & Cok Sawitri

Director: Garin Nugroho
Music Composer: Wayan Sudirana & Gabber Modus Operandi
Musicians: Gabber Modus Operandi & Gamelan Yuganada

A commission by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Produced by Cineria Films, Garin Workshop & Lynx Films
With the support of Ministry of Culture, Research and Technology Republic of Indonesia and Yayasan Puri Kauhan Ubud

Producer: Gita Fara & Aldo Swastia
Executive Producer: Ario Bayu & Rob O’Hare
Supervising Producer: Jala Adolphus
Choreographer: Ida Ayu Wayan Arya Satyani
Cinematographer: Batara Goempar
Costume Designer: Retno Ratih Damayanti
Production Designer: Vida Sylvia
Stage Designer: Iskandar Loedin
Sound Recordist and Designer: Trisno
Editor: Beck
Co-producers: Rai Pendet, Batara Goempar
Line Producer: Ineke Bajalaras

Figuring a Scene | In Dialogue with Patrick Flores and Siddharta Perez
2024-05-11 11:00 - 12:00 (Asia/Shanghai) | National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew's Rd, #01 – 01,, Singapore, 178957, Singapore
Sat 11 May | 11am | National Gallery Singapore, Supreme Court Wing, Level 5, Glass Room | Free, registration required: https://bit.ly/FiguringAScene
How do exhibitions shape how we make sense of history or society?
Curated by Dr. Patrick Flores, the exhibition “Figuring a Scene” proposes that exhibitions hold intrinsic significance beyond historical or societal contexts. Emotions, imagination, and sensory experiences take centre stage in our understanding of art, defining how we make sense of the world around us.

This conversation between Dr. Flores and Siddharta Perez will delve into debates around exhibition-making and the tension between “making” and “making sense.”
About the Speakers

Siddharta Perez is Curatorial Lead at the National University of Singapore Museum, where she also oversees its South and Southeast Asia collections and contemporary projects. Additionally, Perez helms the ‘prep-room’, a unique curatorial model that articulates the relationships among artefacts, artworks and archives, as well as the interactions between artists’ practices and pedagogical disciplines. Perez is from the Philippines, which is also where her work with university museums, galleries, artists and independent projects made an impact in the regional scene. She co-founded the exhibition, residency and news platform Planting Rice in 2011 and is currently part of the editorial collective Southeast of Now.

Patrick Flores is Deputy Director of Curatorial & Research at National Gallery Singapore. He was previously Professor of Art History and Criticism at the Department of Art Studies, University of the Philippines, Quezon City, which he chaired from 1997 to 2003. He was also concurrently the curator of the Jorge B. Vargas Museum. In 2015, he curated the Philippine Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale. In 2022, he was curator of the Taiwan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
About “Figuring a Scene”

“Figuring a Scene” moves away from how art history has defined the logic of exhibitions, arguing that exhibitions have intrinsic significance independent of supposedly external factors like history or society. It asserts that emotions, imagination, and sensory experiences play crucial roles in understanding art and inevitably defining how we make sense of history or society. The exhibition probes the process of creating forms and how sensitive materials like art gain significance within specific settings, resembling the unfolding of narrative or drama.

“Figuring a Scene” presents different instances where elements from nature become signs that help us perceive and grasp social forms. These instances come via the shadow, the fruit, the fire, the air, the wax, and the city.
