Growing private and corporate philanthropy

Private and corporate philanthropy towards the Arts sectors has been forthcoming at a steady level of an average S$30-35 million per annum over the last 5 years. Some of these corporate collaborations with the arts have also deepened to include not only sponsorship for events, but also co-branding efforts e.g. Prudential Children’s Festival (in collaboration with Act 3), the M1 Fringe Festival (in collaboration with The Necessary Stage), and the DBS Arts Centre (in collaboration with The Singapore Repertory Theatre). There have also been significant private donations in support of the arts and culture. For example, in 2007, Ngee Ann Kongsi contributed an unprecedented S$12 million over 6 years towards the School of the Arts, Singapore for its Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarships and Bursaries. Loans and donations to NHB totaled S$180 million in the period 2004-06. This includes significant donations like that of Liu Kang’s paintings to the Singapore Art Museum and the donation of $25 million from the Yong Siew Toh Foundation to the then-NUS Conservatory of Music