For the first time, the National Arts Council (NAC), in collaboration with the Dena Foundation, is launching a prestigious international curatorial residency programme for Singaporean curators, at the Centre International d'Accueil et d'Echanges des Récollets Paris. This initiative is an extension of NAC’s existing partnership with the Dena Foundation, to grow the capabilities of Singaporean curators as well as artists.
Similar to the Artist Residency Programme, the selected curator will have the opportunity to work with some of the most reputed arts institutions in Paris, incubate new ideas and network with other international curators. Organised annually by the Dena Foundation, this programme is aimed at developing the capabilities of emerging artists and curators, and help them develop their professional practices and networks. Some of the visual artists who have benefited from the 2012 programme include Debbie Ding, 28, and Hafiz Oman, 34. More notably, Debbie was recently named a finalist in the regionally acclaimed Sovereign Art Prize in Hong Kong.
Says Mr Paul Tan, Director, Sector Development (Visual Arts), NAC, “Riding on the success of the first edition of this programme, we are excited to extend our partnership with the Dena Foundation, to include a residency for curators too. We recognise an increasing demand for experienced curators in Singapore and Southeast Asia, especially with a growing regional visual arts scene, and with new arts centres such as Gillman Barracks, Centre for Contemporary Art and the upcoming National Art Gallery. We hope the programme would help equip our emerging artists and curators with the necessary skills, networks and capabilities, but more importantly, present them with exciting new opportunities and possibilities in their work.”
Says Mrs Giuliana Setari Carusi, the President of the Dena Foundation, “Debbie Ding and Hafiz Osman, the young Singaporean artists who participated in our Artist Residency Programme in 2012 brought new and inspiring artistic sensibilities which contributed greatly to the Dena Foundation’s mission of supporting contemporary art in the international scene. Their perspectives and practices provided a window into the Singaporean art scene, one of the most interesting in Southeast Asia. On behalf of the Dena Foundation’s Board of Trustees and members of the Scientific Committee, I am very proud to renew our collaboration with NAC, and to extend this opportunity for a Singaporean curator to practice at one of the most well respected French art institutions as well. We look forward to welcoming the selected candidates for our upcoming fall programme.”
The Dena Foundation Residency Programme is open to all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. Successful applicants will receive funding for their roundtrip travel and associated programme costs. Application details are available on www.nac.gov.sg/dena-foundation-residency. Closing date for application is Tuesday, 21 May 2013.
http://www.nac.gov.sg/media-centre/news-releases/news-detail?id=6f8988b6-0590-4ef1-8a71-b68ca917870b