Singapore's National Arts Council has recently announced the creation of a new award, which recognises schools showing excellence in the arts and providing opportunities for all students to become involved. Presented by the NAC, the Best Practices in Arts Education Award (AE Award) will be granted annually, and will recognise and reward schools that not only believe in the importance of the arts, but which have also been consistent in incorporating them into the school curriculum. The AE Award will consist of SG$10,000, a certificate and trophy, and will be open to all secondary schools, junior colleges, and centralised institutes. The first award will be offered in 2003, and an assessment structure to decide the winner will be based on the Singapore Ministry of Education's Arts Education Framework. Chief Executive Officer of the NAC, Choo Thiam Siew, notes that the organisation recognises the Ministry of Education as a valuable partner in promoting the arts, and hopes that the awards ‘will stimulate great interest among schools and will encourage the support for strong arts education programs.’