Going international
Explore more about Singapore's arts scene on global collaboration and cross-cultural exchange.
Last updated on 26 September 2026
Beyond Borders: How cultural diplomacy opens doors for Singapore’s artists on international stages
Singapore's arts scene thrives on global collaboration and cross-cultural exchange. The National Arts Council supports Singapore artists in building connections with global stages, audiences and creative communities — through international partnerships, artistic exchanges and platforms that bring diverse cultural voices together.
By positioning Singapore as both a gateway to Southeast Asian arts and a dynamic hub for international creative collaboration, these efforts uplift our artists' global presence and enrich our local arts ecosystem with fresh perspectives and innovative practices from around the world.
Cultural collaborations & exchange
Through mutual collaborations with regional partners, NAC empowers local arts professionals to share their insights and expertise on the world stage — through overseas workshops, seminars, conferences and summits, and through representation on international forums. These collaborative exchanges are key to cementing Singapore's role as a creative thought leader and a cherished partner in global conversations, helping to shape the future of the arts for all.
Explore our recent projects:
2026 Projects
Cultural collaborations & exchange - project details
Project | Location & Dates | About the Project |
|---|---|---|
ISPA 2026 Singapore Congress | Singapore | NAC hosted the ISPA 2026 Singapore Congress from 19-22 May - the first time the Congress returned to Southeast Asia in over 20 years, welcoming over 500 arts leaders from 40+ countries. Theme: Creative Convergence: Same Same, And Different - exploring how the performing arts connect us across cultures through shared humanity and distinct identities. Find out more about the programme. [PDF, 6.37 MB] (opens in new tab) Check out the Congress summary by Centre 42, commissioned by NAC here (opens in new tab). |
2025 Projects
Cultural collaborations & exchange - project details
Project | Location & Dates | About the Project |
Singapore Symphony Orchestra Australian Tour 2025 | Sydney | The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) embarked on their inaugural tour in Australia, performing at multiple locations, including the iconic Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
Two Rivers Exhibition by Melisa Teo | Singapore | The Two Rivers exhibition by Melisa Teo (Singapore) on the iconic Anderson bridge was launched in collaboration with the opening of vOilah! Festival, supported by NAC and the French Embassy in Singapore. |
Infinitely Closer by T.H.E Dance Company in Seoul | Seoul, South Korea | T.H.E Dance Company (Singapore) presented a special commemorative showcase, Infinitely Closer, at the Grand Theater, Sejong Centre for the Performing Arts in Seoul. |
Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) China Tour and Exchange Activities | Singapore | The Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) went on their first tour since 2018, performing three concerts in three cities, Macau, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. |
Paper Monkey Theatre's My Cloud at Penang Georgetown Festival 2025 | Penang, Malaysia | Paper Monkey Theatre presented their work My Cloud as part of Penang’s George Town Festival 2025. Along with other puppetry artists, Artistic Director Benjamin Ho also participated in Contemporary Puppetry as a Tool for Intergenerational Dialogue Performance - a cross-cultural exchange featuring artists from Malaysia and Thailand. |
On Point by National Arts Council at Ars Electronica Festival 2025 | Linz, Austria | Ars Electronica Festival is an annual convergence of the global media art scene, with exhibitions, performances, concerts and conferences held at festival locations throughout the city. For the 2025 edition, NAC supported SERIAL CO_’s participation to curate and produce a showcase, together with artist Victoria Hertel and engineer Justin Ong. |
2024 Projects
Cultural collaborations & exchange - project details
Project | Location & Dates | About the Project |
Apsaras Arts presentation of ARISI: Rice in Chennai | Chennai, India | A cross-cultural performance inspired by the rich social, cultural and aesthetic practices borne by cultivation and consumption of rice in the region, ARISI: Rice is a cross-cultural performance featuring Apsaras Arts (Singapore), musicians from the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, as well as Balinese dancers and musicians from GEOK Ensemble (Indonesia). |
STPI x The M Art Exhibition | Manila, Philippines | Organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Manila, and supported by MCCY and NAC, the STPI x M Art exhibition was a joint effort between STPI and The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, showcasing artworks by artists from both nations, including Filipino artists who completed residencies at STPI. |
Visions: A Singapore-France Emerging Artist-in-Residency Programme | Singapore | The artist-in-residency programme enables emerging artists from both countries to immerse themselves in each other's cultural landscapes, fostering artistic growth and international collaboration as part of an MOU between NAC and the Embassy of France in Singapore. |
ASEAN Festival of Arts | Melaka, Malaysia | O School represented Singapore at the ASEAN Festival of Arts (AFA) in Melaka. The festival brought together cultural groups from ASEAN in an energetic dance extravaganza reflecting the cultural vibrancy and rich heritage of ASEAN while serving as a backdrop for higher-level ASEAN cultural meetings. |
2023 Projects
Cultural collaborations & exchange - project details
Project | Location & Dates | About the Project |
Rain Motions: Connecting (with) the Skies of Southeast Asia | 4 online activities | In collaboration with regional partners from ASEAN Member States, dancers Shahrin Johry, Beryl Tay and scholar, Dr Nidya Shanthini Manokara represented Singapore at Rain Motions: Connecting (with) the Skies of Southeast Asia; a platform for scholars, researchers, and performers to exchange insights on water or rain-related traditions within the region. |
G20 Cultural Track Programme | Bihar Museum | As part of Singapore’s contribution to the G20 Cultural Track, Robert Zhao (Singapore) submitted a visual artwork and a reproduction of the late poet Mohamed Latiff Mohamed’s poem Tekad in both its original Malay and existing English translation. |
The Best of ASEAN Performing Arts 2023 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Dancers Mohamed Fareed Bin Mohamed Salim, Li Ruimin and Shruthi Nair represented Singapore at The Best of ASEAN Performing Arts 2023, which showcased ASEAN’s best arts and cultural performances for the promotion of the region’s rich and diverse culture. |
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