For Schools

National Arts Council - Arts Education Programme

The National Arts Council-Arts Education Programme (NAC-AEP) is committed to provide all students with access to quality arts education programmes. Every year, NAC-AEP makes available more than 1,000 arts programmes by over 300 artists and arts groups. All programmes endorsed under NAC-AEP are assessed every two years by NAC Education Unit in consultation with an expert panel. Schools may purchase programmes by contacting the artist or arts group directly from the NAC-AEP Directory. Click here to access the NAC-AEP e-service.

The NAC-AEP 2023 Cycle will focus on providing quality programmes guided by the NAC Arts Education Framework’s Focus Areas and Points of Emphasis, as well as provide greater programme customisation across four programme types that would cater to the diverse interests and needs of students.

Public Arts Programmes from 2022* - Schools can source, choose and purchase suitable public arts programmes from public event platforms (E.g. The Esplanade, SISTIC, CATCH) or directly from arts companies, and then claim for the purchase of tickets under the Tote Board Arts Grant. There will no longer be LOEs for public arts programmes and schools can refer to the Tote Board Arts Grant Guidelines for Schools for more information on changes to claim processes.

Tote Board Arts Grant

The Singapore Totalisator (TOTE) Board provides an annual arts grant to all Primary & Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges & Centralised Institutes, Special Education Schools and ITE Regional Campuses who have opted in for the Grant. Schools may use the grant to subsidise the purchase of programmes listed in the NAC-AEP Directory, as well as Public Arts Programmes and the Artist-in-School Scheme (AISS).

Funding Quantum

Type of School	Annual Grant Quantum	Percentage Cap
Primary and Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges and Centralised Institutes	$15,000	Up to 50% of programme cost
ITE Regional Campuses	$70,000	Up to 50% of programme cost
Special Education Schools	$9,000	Up to 70% of programme cost

* Schools should use at least 60% of the annual Grant quantum to subsidise the purchase of programmes by Singapore artists or arts groups. A maximum of 40% of the annual Grant quantum can be used to subsidise the purchase of programmes by non-local arts groups.

For more information on Pre-School NAC-AEP and how Pre-schools are funded, please refer to the section on Pre-School Initiatives.

Grant Opt-in and Terms of Use

To utilise the Tote Board Arts Grant, schools are required to submit an opt-in form to the NAC during the opt-in exercise. The opt-in exercise is usually conducted at the end of the year through an emailer sent to all Principals, Vice-Principals and Admin Managers. The opt-in exercise for 2024 has started and all schools who want to receive the annual grant must complete the opt in form here by 5 January 2024.

Schools that wish to use the Tote Board Arts Grant will need to be familiar with the latest Tote Board Arts Grant Guidelines on the utilisation of the Grant. Expenditures claimed under the Tote Board Arts Grant are audited annually through sampling based on the terms outlined in the Guidelines. Schools can purchase programmes directly from the arts groups listed on the NAC-AEP Programme Directory. When purchasing a programme, schools are advised to request for the Letter of Eligibility (LOE) from the artist or arts group as LOE is proof that the programme is eligible for the Tote Board Arts Grant.

Primary and Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges and Centralised Institutes

Special Education (SPED) Schools and ITE Regional Campuses

Selected Pre-School Centres

Schools can customise existing approved programmes in consultation with artists and arts groups without having to submit a customisation request using the AEP Portal.

Schools may customise existing programmes according to target participant needs (e.g. number of sessions, number of participations etc.) but should not commission new programmes or engage non-NAC-AEP approved instructors unless the arts group has been given special concession from NAC to do so.

In addition to selecting programmes from the NAC-AEP Programme Directory, SPED Schools and ITE Regional Campuses can approach any artist/arts group to craft a customised arts education programme that caters to specific needs of the target student profile.

Schools should submit all Customised Programme applications via the online form for SPED Schools or ITE Regional Campusesat least 15 working days before programme commencement.

For further queries on SPED or ITE Customised Programmes, please contact the NAC Education Unit at nac_aep@nac.gov.sg.

MY World Preschool, My First Skool, PCF Sparkletots Preschool, E-Bridge Pre-School and Skool4Kidz Centres can approach their HQs if there is interest in purchasing Pre-School NAC-AEP. No online submissions are required from pre-schools.

For further queries about NAC-AEP or the Tote Board Arts Grant, please refer to the FAQs. If schools need further clarification, please contact the NAC Education Unit at nac_aep@nac.gov.sg.