Funding
Writing a grant application can be daunting. Singapore arts veteran Tay Tong has some useful tips to share here.
For more tips on how to do it right, explore Format, a website builder for creative works, and Artistsnetwork, a visual arts online community platform.
We have also put together a non-exhaustive listing of funding schemes that are available for you to apply to, with a focus on those offered by public institutions.
NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL
The Council offers a range of grants across different stages of art development. These range from the Seed Grant (to support the initial years of arts start-up operations) to the Creation Grant (to create, adapt or redevelop a Singapore-made artistic work), Production Grant (to produce, present and market) to the Presentation and Participation Grant (for music EP, publishing, events, and Noise Singapore funding). There is also funding for Market and Audience Development, Capability Development, Research and Traditional Arts Repository. The Council further administers The Arts Fund, supported by the Tote Board.
https://www.nac.gov.sg/whatwedo/support/funding.html
WECARE ARTS FUND
A collaboration between the National Arts Council and the People’s Association, this fund is open to Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) to work with artists to develop interactive arts workshops customised for their beneficiaries. Artists who are interested to propose a project may write to nac_artsforall@nac.gov.sg.
https://artsforall.sg/initiatives/artreach/wecare-arts-fund.aspx
NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD
NHB offers various grant schemes for projects which are heritage related.
https://www.nhb.gov.sg/what-we-do/our-work/community-engagement/grants
NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL
If you are a youth between the ages of 15 and 35, or part of an organisation working on projects targeted at youths, you may wish to check out NYC’s grant schemes here.
https://www.nyc.gov.sg/en/initiatives/grants
SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
SIF runs a partnership programme called Arts for Good Projects which brings together Singaporean artists and different sectors of society to create arts-based initiatives for social impact and intercultural understanding. If you have a project idea, you can write to artsforgood@sif.org.sg.
https://www.sif.org.sg/our-work/ce/si/about
ASIA EUROPE FOUNDATION
ASEF provides various grants on their website, and their ‘Mobility First’ grant in particular is a travel grant for artists and cultural workers looking for funding to attend a conference, training or residency.
https://culture360.asef.org/opportunities
ON THE MOVE
On The Move is a platform that directs you to various cross border mobility funding opportunities.
https://on-the-move.org
NTUC LEARNING HUB
NTUC offers various funding schemes that can help offset your spending on training programmes both for long-term personal and career development.
https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/funding-and-claims
SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS FOUNDATION
SPH’s grants are for organisations, not individuals. Their focus areas include language and literacy programmes and arts programmes that nurture young talents.
https://www.sphfoundation.org.sg/grantseekers.html
Their Arts Fund can be tapped on to purchase tickets to arts productions, to enable the underprivileged to enjoy and appreciate the arts.
https://www.sphfoundation.org.sg/artsfund.html
OCBC GROUP
OCBC has been a long-time supporter and sponsor of the Arts. You may enquire further by writing to corpcomms@ocbc.com.
https://www.ocbc.com/group/who-we-are/sponsorships-arts.html
BINJAITREE
A Singapore based philanthropic organisation, BinjaiTree contributes primarily to the improvement of mental health and the development of the arts and social services.
http://binjaitree.org/
JAPANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY SINGAPORE FOUNDATION
The Foundation’s support is open to registered entities for the development of arts, culture, sports or education in Singapore, preferably related to the enhancement of the bilateral relationship between Singapore and Japan.
https://www.jcci.org.sg/about-singapore/?lang=en
LEE FOUNDATION
A long-time supporter of national philanthropic movements, the Foundation supports the advancement of education and healthcare but also funds other philanthropic work including the arts. Proposals can be sent to the Lee Foundation at 65 Chulia Street, #44-01, OCBC Centre, Singapore 049513. Tel: 6535 405565.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SINGAPORE
This Foundation provides grants to different charities, including those in the arts and heritage sector.
https://www.cf.org.sg/get-in-touch
KWAN IM THONG HOOD CHO TEMPLE
Write to the Chairman of the temple with your proposal at 178 Waterloo Street Singapore (187964). If you are successful, they will send you via snail mail the relevant application forms and advice you on the process.