Instituted in 1983, the Patron of the Arts Awards celebrates and recognises organisations and individuals who have contributed significantly towards the development of the arts. Through the generous contributions by patrons who have offered financial
support, resources, skills and time, Singapore’s arts scene has grown and flourished over the years.
Each year, the National Arts Council (NAC) recognises contributions in cash, in-kind and loans in the following categories:
| Type of Award | Criteria |
| Honorary Patron of the Arts Award | Corporates or individuals who have received the Distinguished Patron of the Arts Awards for at least 20 times. |
| Type of Award | Amount |
| Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award | $1,500,000 and above |
| Patron of the Arts Award | $300,000 - $1,499,999 |
| Friend of the Arts Award | $50,000 - $299,999 |
| Type of Award | Amount |
| Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award | $100,000 and above |
| Patron of the Arts Award | $50,000 - $99,999 |
| Friend of the Arts Award | $10,000 - $49,999 |
| Type of Award | Amount |
| Distinguished Supporter of the Arts Award | $1,000,000 and above |
| Supporter of the Arts Award | Below $1,000,000 |
Nominations for the Patron of the Arts Awards 2024 are now closed. Please stay tuned for the open call in 2025.
The 41st edition of the Patron of the Arts Awards will celebrate and recognise individuals and organisations who have made their contributions between 01 January and 31 December 2023, towards the development of the arts in Singapore.
The submissions are conducted online, supported by donation receipts, sponsorship agreements and respective utilisation reports and/or other supporting documents as proof of the donation and/or sponsorship. Click here to access the NAC POAA e-service.
Interested applicants may wish to refer to the evaluation criteria below for reference or contact nac_poa@nac.gov.sg for any queries and clarifications.
Evaluation of Cash and In-kind Nominations
- Arts activities, including those held at the community level, must have a significant impact on the artistic development in Singapore and must not be part of the organisations’ core strategies, business operations or marketing plans.
- The relevant art genres are music, drama/theatre, dance, film, literature, photography and the visual arts. Folk, traditional, classical and contemporary forms of the relevant art genres are eligible for nomination.
- Cash donations towards performances, competitions, exhibitions and scholarship programmes, or sponsorship of arts facilities, equipment and music instruments are eligible for nomination.
- In-kind sponsorship must meet the needs of the beneficiary and offer real cost savings to the beneficiary.
- Discounts, bonus, upgrades, value-adds and waivers that are part of business negotiations to obtain best value for money, shall not be considered in-kind sponsorship.
- Barter exchanges (a system of exchange by which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods or services without using a medium of exchange, such as money) shall not be considered as an in-kind sponsorship.
- Marketing partnerships such as official media, official website, official hotel, etc. which require dollar investment from the beneficiary are sales purchases, and shall not be considered in-kind sponsorship. For marketing deals that require no dollar investment from the beneficiary, the product or service offered must meet the needs of the beneficiary to be considered in-kind sponsorship.
- The cost incurred by organisations that promote/support/organise arts activities as part of their core strategies, business operations or marketing plans shall not be considered in-kind sponsorship.
- Product giveaway is an opportunity for the product owner to distribute or display their product. The value of the products given away is not considered to be in-kind sponsorship to the beneficiary. However, if the product giveaway meets the needs of the beneficiary, such as being a necessary part of the activity, it shall be considered in-kind sponsorship.
Evaluation of Artefact Donations
- Valuation based on certified reports by respective institutions.
Evaluation of Artefact Loans
- Artefacts have to be loaned for at least five years.
- Donor recognised at the start of loan tenure, at valuation amount registered at the start of loan tenure.
- Valuation based on certified reports by respective institutions.
Please click here for more information on the 2023 Patron of the Arts Awards recipients.
Details of the past award recipients can be found below:
Patron of the Arts Awards 2022
For more information on POAA 2022, and the list of awardees, please click here.
Patron of the Arts Awards 2021
Please click here for more information, and here for the list of awardees.
Patron of the Arts Awards 2020
Please click here for more information, and here for the list of awardees.
Patron of the Arts Awards 2019
Please click here for more information, and here for the list of awardees.
Patron of the Arts Awards 2018
Please click here for more information, and here for the list of awardees.
Patron of the Arts Awards 2017
Please click here for more information, and here for the list of awardees.
Patron of the Arts Awards 2016
Please click here for more information, and here for the list of awardees.
Patron of the Arts Awards 2015
Please click here for more information, and here for the list of awardees.
Patron of the Arts Awards 2014
Please click here for more information, and here for the list of awardees.
Patron of the Arts Awards 2013
Please click here for more information, and here for the list of awardees.