Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts

1°18′0.20″N 103°51′5.51″E

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts campus 3, on Bencoolen Street.

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts campus 1, at the junction of Middle Road & Bencoolen Street.

The Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (abbrev: NAFA; Chinese: 南洋艺术学院) is a school of arts based in Singapore

History

1937

In 1937, after noticing Singapore's good geological position during a short stop-over, Japanese-trained artist Mr Huang Suiheng, together with another artist, Mr Lim Hak Tai and a group of art enthusiasts set up the school.

1938–1940

The Society of Chinese Artists actively supported Mr Lim in establishing the school. At its 12th Council Committee meeting, members of the Society formed a Drafting Committee to assist Mr Lim in his efforts in setting up the fine arts academy. On 10th February 1938, the Committee placed advertisements in the local Chinese daily newspapers "Xin Zhou Ri Bao" and "Nan Yang Ri Bao", which leads to Nanyang setting up the new arts school.

The minimum entry qualification was completion of secondary school education. However, those who did not meet the minimum entry qualification would still be considered for admission to the school as long as they had a keen interest in the arts. The Nanyang Fine Arts College opened on 10th March 1938. Mr Lim Hak Tai was assigned to be the Principal by the School Management Committee with Mr Kao Fei Tse, Chang Ming Tse and Qiu Yingkui being assigned as teachers. The School was located at Lorong 167 Geylang, a two storey old bungalow just opposite the then "Gay World".

1941–1945

During this period, the school was closed due to World War II

1945–1969

In 1946, two years after the Japanese surrendered, Mr. Lim Hak Tai, supported by the board of directors of the School (Mr Zeng Qichang and Mr Cai Tingpu), the School re-opened. It was then situated at 49 St. Thomas Walk. After the Japanese occupation many Chinese came to Singapore in search of a better life. It was then that the School attracted several famous artists like Cheong Soo Pieng, Chen Wen Hsi, Chen Chong Swee and Liu Kang to teach at the Nanyang Fine Arts College. Students benefited greatly from their teachings.

Post 1969

Over the years, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, as it is now called, has honed its capabilities and extended its international reach in many ways. Artistic talents who graduated from the school have returned to their alma mater to teach. International art celebrities have also been invited to conduct lectures and arts demonstrations. The Ministry of Education also sends its teachers to NAFA to upgrade their skills in fine art.

In the 1990s NAFA started Singapore's first full-time Contemporary Dance programme that produced Singapore's own locally trained contemporary dance artists. The programme offers an all-rounded dance theory and technique studies including Martha Graham's technique and Dance improvisation. Some of its ex-students have since contributed to the development of contemporary dance in Singapore.

In April 1999, NAFA’s status was upgraded by the Singapore Government to a tertiary institution. NAFA now receives polytechnic-level funding for all its Diploma programmes from the Ministry of Education.

Since 2004, NAFA has been operating at a S$115 million, purpose-built new campus at Bencoolen Street. Three times the size of the old campus, the new campus is strategically located in the heart of Singapore’s bustling civic district.

The current President of NAFA is Choo Thiam Siew.

At the 2005 Crowbar Awards NAFA students won a number of awards. In the advertising category they won two gold, seven silver, and six bronze. For design they won two gold, and four bronze. In the interactive category they won a silver medal. In the film category they won a bronze medal. In the photography category they won the Best of Category awards, one gold and one bronze. Most notably they won Best of Category for the Crowbar Challenge, as well as a gold medal.

In 2006 NAFA received a number of awards once again at the Crowbar Awards, with four golds, thirteen silver, and twenty five bronze awards.[1]

List of artists produced by NAFA

There are ex NAFA students that have become active arts practitioners to the nation:

• Lim Chin Huat, ECNAD
• Tan How Choon, ECNAD
• Lee Keng Yong, Travis, Creative Director, BlackBox Asia
• Goh Boon Teck, Toy Factory Theatre Ensemble
• Chua Ai Hua, Arts Restoration Artist/Graphic Designer
• Rusman Rahmat, Jazz Instructor, ECNAD Associate

See also

• LASALLE College of the Arts

External links

• Official site