From 2005, Singapore’s annual National Arts Education Award for schools will be extended to include primary schools. The award was established in 2002 to acknowledge schools that provide ample opportunities for students to access the arts and reward schools that demonstrate excellence in their arts practices and programmes. Previously reserved for high schools and colleges, the NAE Award will now be presented to respective categories in alternate years, i.e. Primary Schools (2005, 2007); Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges and Centralised Institutes (2006, 2008). Schools are assessed on three major areas:

Policy and Planning - how the school articulates and implements its policy on arts education for a holistic education

Implementation of Programmes - how the school facilitates its arts programmes, nurtures staff, maximises resources and cultivate external partnerships

Arts Achievement and Arts Culture - how the school promotes a vibrant arts culture and achieves positive results Winning school institutions are eligible for a total prize pool of $14,000 with commemorative certificates provided as an extra memento of the achievement. The closing date for next year’s award is 14 February 2005. For more information, CLICK HERE.