Patron of the Arts Award

Celebrate the individuals and organisations whose contributions have made a lasting impact on Singapore's arts landscape.

Last updated on 26 September 2026

Submissions for the 2026 Patron of the Arts Award have closed.

Thank you to all who submitted. Write to us (opens in new tab) if you would like to be notified when the next cycle opens.

Since its inception in 1983, the Patron of the Arts Awards has celebrated the generosity that keeps Singapore's arts scene thriving. Every contribution — whether in cash, in-kind, or through artwork loans — makes a difference.

This year’s patrons gave in ways as diverse as the arts community they support: funding accessible art programmes, donating significant local artworks to national institutions, and creating new theatre spaces for the arts to thrive.

Giving to the arts is a powerful way to strengthen our society and shape Singapore's cultural identity. When we give to the arts, we are also investing in the future of our local arts.

— Mr Low Eng Teong, Former Chief Executive Officer, National Arts Council

2026: A record year for arts giving

585

patrons recognised in 2026 – the highest ever

$89.5M

in total contributions in 2025 - $33.3M in cash, $37.4M in-kind, $18.6M in loans

82%

of awardees in 2026 were individuals, with 175 first-time donors

Read our press releases

The National Arts Council recognises contributions in cash, in-kind and loans in the following categories:

Award categories

Recognition of sustained support in developing the arts

Details

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.

Cash and in-kind contributions — Corporate

Details

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

Cash and in-kind contributions — Individual

Details

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

Artwork and artefact loans — Corporate and Individual

Details

Type of Award	Amount
Distinguished Supporter of the Arts Award	$1,000,000 and above
Supporter of the Arts Award	Below $1,000,000

Submission process

All submissions are conducted online and should be supported by donation receipts, sponsorship agreements, and utilisation reports or other relevant documents as proof of contribution.

We encourage you to review the evaluation criteria before submitting.

Evaluation criteria

Cash and/or in-kind contributions

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 submission.
Cash donations towards performances, competitions, exhibitions and scholarship programmes, or sponsorship of arts facilities, equipment and music instruments are eligible for submission.
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.

Not eligible as in-kind

Discounts, bonuses, or value-adds from business negotiations
Barter exchanges
Marketing partnerships requiring dollar investment from the beneficiary
Product giveaways that do not directly serve the beneficiary's needs

Artefact donations

Evaluations are based on certified reports by respective institutions.

Artwork and 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.