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Assistance Schemes
Overview | Major and General Grants | Scholarships & Bursaries | Special Schemes | Important Information | Grants Application Procedures | The Arts Creation Fund | International Artist Residency Programme | FAQs

Scholarships & Bursaries

National Arts Council’s scholarship and bursary schemes provide full or partial funding for full-time studies in arts institutions locally and abroad. These scholarships and bursaries aim to nurture and groom talent with career ambitions in the arts. For scholarship and bursaries enquiries, please email NAC_scholarship@nac.gov.sg .

A list of arts-related courses offered in local tertiary institutions is available here. For more information on the courses, please contact the respective institutions directly.

Areas of Study

Fields of study eligible for consideration are:
  • Performing Arts (Music, Dance and Theatre)
  • Visual Arts
  • Literary Arts
  • Arts Management
  • Technical Design and Production in the Arts
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Available Schemes + Scheme is available for visual arts studies only.
* Scheme is available for dance and music studies only.


NAC Arts Scholarship (Overseas)

This is available to outstanding students or practising artists to pursue full-time overseas undergraduate or postgraduate studies in visual arts (fine art courses only), performing arts, literary arts, arts management, technical design and production in the arts.

Grant quantum - Up to 100% of total cost of study (Maximum of $100,000).

Note: Male applicants must have completed National Service.

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NAC Arts Scholarship (Local)

This is available to promising students or practising artists to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses in visual arts (fine art courses only), performing arts and literary arts, as well as arts management, technical design and production in the arts at local universities or the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and LASALLE College of the Arts, taught in association with international tertiary institutions.

Grant quantum - Covers tuition fees of up to S$10,000 per year, subject to a maximum of S$20,000

Note: Students who are eligible for Ministry of Education subsidies in the first three years of study (up to Diploma level), should apply for the Georgette Chen Arts Scholarship (Local) instead. In such cases, the NAC Arts Scholarship (Local) is only applicable in their final year of study.

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Georgette Chen Arts Scholarship (Local)

This is available to first, second and third year arts students pursuing full-time diploma courses in theatre, dance, music, visual arts (fine art courses only) and arts management at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, LASALLE College of the Arts or the Polytechnics.

Grant quantum - $2,000 per year.

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Chen Chong Swee Art Scholarship (Overseas) +
+ Visual arts only

This is available to promising visual artists interested in undertaking full-time overseas postgraduate studies or research programmes. Priority will be given to applicants specialising in Painting.

Grant quantum - Up to a maximum of $25,000.

Note: Applicants must not have started on their course of study.

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Gifted Young Artists' Bursary (Overseas) *
* Dance and Music only

Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Singapore East, this bursary is available to young music and dance students, aged 18 years and below, to pursue full-time, pre-tertiary studies in overseas music and dance institutions.

Grant quantum - Up to $15,000 per year.

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Important Information Assessment Criteria

Eligible applicants will be assessed based on the following:
  • Talent (artistic / creative potential), leadership qualities and commitment to contribute to the development of arts in Singapore
  • Track record of arts activities, achievements and involvement in the arts
  • All other factors remaining equal, financial background of the applicant.


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Eligibility

All applicants must be Singapore citizens or Singapore permanent residents with a good track record in the arts. Applicants awaiting admission to their proposed institution may still apply for a scholarship or bursary. However, proof of admission into the institution must be produced at the time of the scheduled interview or upon award of the scholarship or bursary, if successful.

* Special note on course commencement dates and scholarship application timings:
  • All scholarships and bursaries will be awarded in August.
  • Students who are interested to pursue studies that commence in February/March (e.g. courses in Australia) should make their applications a year before the commencement of the course.
  • Students who are interested to pursue studies that commence in June/July (e.g. NAFA and LASALLE courses) are advised to concurrently apply for the intended course as well as the relevant scholarship. Students should be prepared to begin studies pending confirmed financial assistance from NAC.


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How to Apply

Apply online at http://app.cischolarship.sg

Closing Date: 31 March 2010

To give your application the best chance of success, you should complete the application form as fully as possible. Your application will be considered ineligible if:
  • the course of study does not belong to any of the eligible art forms stated under the respective scholarship or bursary;
  • your application is incomplete or not submitted via the prescribed application procedures.
After submitting your application online, you are required to send in your supporting materials by 7 April 2010 to:

Scholarship and Bursary Applications
National Arts Council
140 Hill Street
MICA Building #03-01
Singapore 179369

For a list of required supporting materials, please refer to http://app.cischolarship.sg. Shortlisted applicants will also be required to attend one or more interviews, usually held in May / June of the year of application.

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Disbursement

Disbursement of scholarship or bursary may (at the discretion of the National Arts Council) be made either in one lump sum or by instalments.

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Terms and Conditions

The following is a summary of the terms and conditions to which the award of all NAC scholarships and bursaries are subject.
  • The scholarship or bursary must be used within the prescribed period of the proposed course of study ("Course") and strictly for the purposes of the Course as allocated and described in the application form.
  • The recipient must pursue the Course described in the application form within the prescribed period for the Course and shall not change his/her Course, subjects of study, institution of study or programme of training, or take any additional courses without the prior written approval of the National Arts Council. In such event, the National Arts Council shall have discretion to review all terms and conditions of the scholarship and bursary.
  • At the end of the Course, the recipient must submit to the National Arts Council transcripts of his/her results (or a true certified copy of the transcript), records of his/her involvement in the arts, as well as an evaluation report describing the achievements and benefits gained from the year(s) at the institution within two months after completing the course. In additional, the recipient may be required to submit proofs of expenditure for big-ticket expenses (for e.g. tuition fees, accommodation, airfare, etc).
  • Recipients may be required by the National Arts Council at any appropriate time to deliver lectures, conduct demonstrations, workshops and courses in his/her field of training and/or give recitals and performances organised by the National Arts Council as part of his/her contribution to the promotion of the arts in Singapore.
  • Recipients must disclose any information on other scholarships or bursaries applied for and inform the Council of the outcomes of those applications.
  • Recipients of the NAC Arts Scholarship (Overseas and Local) are required to fulfil up to a two-year service commitment to work in the arts (related to their field of study) on a full or part-time basis in Singapore within a five-year timeframe after the completion of their Course. In addition, recipients may be required to participate in relevant training programmes as designated by the National Arts Council, during or upon the completion of the recipient’s Course.
  • Recipients will be liable to repay to the National Arts Council on demand all scholarship or bursary monies which have been paid to or expended by the National Arts Council on his/her behalf, or such other amount as the National Arts Council may decide on the occurrence of certain events (including where the recipient fails to take up or complete the Course, and where the recipient breaches any of the terms and conditions to which the grant of the scholarship or bursary is subject). In such event, the scholarship or bursary shall automatically be withdrawn and no further allowances under the scholarship or bursary shall be provided by the National Arts Council.
  • The National Arts Council may terminate, at its sole discretion, the scholarship or bursary at any time by giving one month's written notice to the candidate.


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Others

The National Arts Council reserves the right not to disclose its reasons for approving or disapproving any application. The National Arts Council reserves the right (at its sole discretion) to review, withdraw or suspend any scholarship or bursary in full or partially if any of these rules are breached. Further, the National Arts Council will be under no further obligation to provide any allowances under the scholarship or bursary but without prejudice to the right of the National Arts Council to claim any sums due to it from the candidate in respect of any antecedent breach of these terms and conditions.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For current recipients
Q1. I am currently an NAC Bursary recipient. Should I renew my application this year since NAC is no longer offering bursaries?
A1. Yes, we will continue to provide support to our bursary recipients who are still pursuing their studies. Please submit your renewal application through the Creative Industries Scholarships portal.
 
Q2. I am a current recipient of a NAC scholarship or bursary and hope to pursue another degree upon graduation, am I eligible to apply for another scheme?
A2. Yes. You should submit a new application for the new course.
 
Q3. I am a recipient of Georgette Chen Arts Scholarship (GCS) going on to the degree year of my course at LaSalle / NAFA. Should I renew my GCS?
A3. No. You should submit a new application for the NAC Arts Scholarship (Local). GCS is open to students pursuing arts-related diploma studies in Lasalle/NAFA/polytechnics. Hence if you are pursuing a degree programme, you are eligible for the NAC Arts Scholarship (Local).

For new applicants

Q1. Why has NAC stopped offering the NAC Arts Bursary (Local and Overseas)?
A1. NAC is focusing on grooming talent and capability development for the arts through scholarships. We are consolidating resources to expand the Overseas Scholarships and to introduce a new Local Scholarship scheme, in place of the current bursaries. This will enable the Scholarship Scheme to be better equipped to support promising individuals in their artistic and /or professional education and training, to advance their skills and prepare for their careers and leadership roles, so as to meet the needs of the arts sector.
 
Q2. What other avenues of financial assistance can I apply for to support my education in the arts?
A2. The arts institutions, polytechnics and universities offer scholarships and bursaries to their students. There are also many charitable institutions and foundations that provide financial assistance to students in need.
For alternative sources of financial assistance, you may wish to consider approaching the following organisations*:
-Lee Foundation
-Hong Leong Foundation
-Ngee Ann KongSi
-Tan Kah Kee Foundation
-Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA)
-Yayasan Mendaki
-Ministry of Education
-National Council of Social Services
-Ministry of Community, Youth and sports (MCYS)
-Singapore Press Holdings

*This list is non-exhaustive. Organisations may impose certain conditions that impact eligibility. Please contact the organisations directly for information.

Alternatively, if you are a practicing artist and wish to pursue a short-term course for professional development, you can apply for NAC's Arts Professional Development grant. More details of the scheme can be found on the website at www.nac.gov.sg under the section on Assistance Schemes.

 
Q3. I would like apply for both the overseas and local NAC Arts Scholarship at the same time. Do I need to fill in 2 separate applications?
A3. No, you only need to submit one application. You will be required to indicate the schemes you wish to be considered for in the application form.
 
Q4. I am in the process of applying to schools, and do not have confirmation of acceptance yet. Should I still apply for scholarships and bursaries now?
A4. Yes. Successful applicants should be ready to commence studies upon the award of the scholarships / bursaries. Final confirmation of scholarship / bursary will be dependent upon proof of acceptance from the school.
 
Q5. Am I eligible to apply for support under the Scheme if I wish to pursue Photography?
A5. Yes, if the proposed tertiary course is in an accredited full-fledged department or university that offers specialisation in Photography.
 
Q6. I was unsuccessful in my previous applications for the Arts Scholarships and/or Bursaries. Am I still eligible to apply?
A6. Yes. We will assess each application based on its merits.
 
Q7. Why must male applicants to the NAC Arts Scholarship (Overseas) have already completed their National Service?
A7. Recipients of the scholarship will not receive special deferment from National Service (NS) to pursue their studies. In order to avoid disruptions to their studies when they are called up for NS, male applicants should have already completed their full-time NS commitments.
 
Q8. Is there a list of approved arts institutions for application of scholarships?
A8. No. NAC does not prescribe institutions that applicants should apply for as there is a broad range of good arts training programmes internationally and in Singapore by local and foreign institutions.
However, successful admission into a well-established programme that is recognised for its stringent selection process will be considered an indicator of an applicant’s current capabilities and future potential.
 
Q9. I have already started my course. Can I still apply for NAC scholarship?
A9. We have modified the eligibility criteria to allow students who have started their studies to apply for our scholarships. You can submit your application via the CIS Portal before the closing date.
 
Q10. I am in the midst of applying for a course offered by a foreign institution located in Singapore. Can I apply for NAC scholarship to fund my studies?
A10. Yes. You can apply for NAC scholarships if you are pursuing a full-time course in a reputable institution. Applicants pursuing courses offered in Singapore by foreign institutions at overseas tuition rates will be considered under NAC’s Overseas Scholarship. Applicants pursuing courses offered in Singapore by foreign institutions which are covered by MOE tuition subsidies will be considered under the Local Scholarship Scheme.
 
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