More support the heritage causes; S$8.1 million in contributions raised last year

Today Online 16 Apr 11;

SINGAPORE - More people and corporations are coming forward to support heritage-related causes, with first-time donors making up more than half of the supporters last year, said the National Heritage Board (NHB).

NHB, which feted 24 corporations and 17 individuals at the Patron of Heritage Awards 2010 ceremony at the National Museum of Singapore on Friday evening, also said patrons of cultural philanthropy made contributions worth more than S$8 million in 2010, in the form of cash, materials and long-term loans.

And with these contributions, NHB was able to launch programmes which attracted 2.7m museum visitors, and engage 8.8m others through outreach activities.

At the ceremony attended by Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, about half were first-time recipients - a significant increase from the 38 per cent in 2009.

New recipients include Madam Yeo Yang Kwee, who donated works by her late husband, Cultural Medallion recipient Chua Ek Kay, as well as artist-donors Chia Wai Hon and Tan Oe Pang.

Their gifts will contribute to the collection of The National Art Gallery when it opens in 2013.

New corporate donors, on the other hand, such as Bloomberg and Maybank, gave their support to exhibitions and activities in the Singapore Art Museum and National Museum of Singapore.

The number of individuals who gave to heritage since the Patron of Heritage Awards was introduced in 2006 has been steadily increasing - the proportion of individual donors had risen to 41 per cent of the total last year, from 25 per cent in 2009.

Michael Koh, chief executive officer of NHB, said these patrons showed everyone how vital heritage was to people's lives, and hoped that their generosity would motivate others to do the same.

To be eligible for the Patron of Heritage Awards, organisations or individuals must have contributed artefacts, artworks or archival materials to the collection of any museum or heritage institution here; contributed to the building and development of museums and heritage institutions here; or contributed to publications and scholarships related to heritage during the qualifying period.

Heritage continues to attract new patrons
Channel NewsAsia 15 Apr 11;

SINGAPORE: More people and corporations are coming forward to support heritage-related causes, with first-time donors making up more than half of the supporters of such causes last year, said the National Heritage Board.

It also said patrons of cultural philanthropy have made contributions worth more than S$8 million.

These include cash, materials and long-term loans.

The NHB said the contributions helped the board to launch several cultural and heritage programmes.

The programmes attracted 2.7 million museum visitors, and engaged 8.8 million others through outreach activities.

For their contributions to heritage, NHB recognized 24 corporations and 17 individuals at the Patron of Heritage Awards 2010 ceremony Friday.

The NHB said over 50 per cent of the patrons are first-time recipients.

They include eight corporations and 14 individuals.

This is a significant increase from 38 per cent in 2009.

New recipients include Mdm Yeo Yang Kwee, who donated works by her late husband Cultural Medallion recipient Chua Ek Kay, as well as artist-donors Mr Chia Wai Hon and Mr Tan Oe Pang.

Their invaluable gifts of art will contribute to the collection of The National Art Gallery when it opens in 2013.

Considerable help also came from new corporate donors such as Bloomberg and Maybank which supported exhibitions and activities in the Singapore Art Museum and National Museum of Singapore.

The NHB says there has also been a steady increase in the number of individuals who give to heritage since the Patron of Heritage Awards was introduced in 2006.

In 2009, individual patrons made up 25 per cent of the total number of patrons.

Last year, this had risen to a significant 41 per cent.

Mr Michael Koh, CEO of NHB, said the patrons are beacons who lead the way in showing everyone how vital heritage is to people's lives.

He expressed the hope that their generosity will motivate others to do the same.

The event held at the National Museum was graced by Mr Lui Tuck Yew, the Information, Communications and the Arts Minister.

- CNA/cc

Singapore honours 41 heritage heroes
More than half are first-time patrons
Deepika Shetty Straits Times 16 Apr 11;

CASH sponsorships, donations in kind and long-term loans to Singapore's museums last year fell to $8.1 million, compared with $11 million in 2009 and $95 million in 2008. But more than half of the patrons last year stepped forward for the first time to give to heritage.

Last night, Singapore's heritage heroes - individuals, corporations and organisations that have donated generously in cash and kind to help the arts thrive - were recognised at an event held at the National Museum.

The cultural philanthropists, comprising 17 individuals and 24 corporations, were honoured at the Patron of Heritage Awards ceremony organised by the National Heritage Board (NHB).

From a rich collection of kebayas, some dating back to the 18th century, to an artist's rarely seen work - the Singapore museum-goer's experience was enhanced by such gifts and donations.

Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, handed out the awards at the annual event, now in its fifth year.

In his speech, he mentioned the vision the Arts and Culture Strategic Review Steering Committee has for Singapore in 2025.

'In this vision, arts and culture is an integral and enriching part of every Singaporean,' he said.

To realise this vision, he said the NHB needs continued support to grow the national collections and deepen its engagement with the audience.

There were no recipients this year for the two highest awards - the Distinguished Patron of Heritage and the Patron of Heritage.

Among the individuals who donated prized family heirlooms as well as rare and precious gifts to the museums were Mr and Mrs Lee Kip Lee.

The prominent Peranakan couple were honoured with the Partner of Heritage Award for donating part of their prized collection of 425 garments, including kebayas and bajus. Some of these are on display at an ongoing exhibition titled Sarong Kebaya: Peranakan Fashion And Its International Sources at the Peranakan Museum.

The family of late artist Arthur Yap was honoured with the same award for donating 25 of his works to the National Art Gallery, as was BreadTalk chairman George Quek, who donated 20 works by established Singapore ink artist Tan Oe Pang.

New donors included Madam Yeo Yang Kwee, who gave 13 works by her late husband, Cultural Medallion recipient Chua Ek Kay. She said that before his death, he had expressed a desire to donate some of his works to Singapore's national collection.

'But it was not an easy decision,' she said. 'I struggled for some time emotionally, as after his death, I drew much comfort from looking at his paintings, feeling that he is still with us. It is a little contribution and I hope it will encourage and inspire others.'

Mr Chia Wai Hon and Mr Tan Oe Pang were among the artist-donors. Their gifts were to the National Art Gallery.

These patrons' contributions enabled the board to present cultural and heritage programmes that attracted 2.7 million museum visitors and engaged 8.8 million others through outreach activities.

Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) received the Partner of Heritage Award for its consistent support in the conservation of the nation's heritage. Last year, it supported the Heritage Gala and museums through extensive coverage in its various media outlets.

Ms Ginney Lim, SPH's general counsel and executive vice-president of corporate communications, said: 'As the nation's leading media company with a rich heritage of over 165 years, we recognise the importance of heritage preservation. We are honoured to be a Partner of Heritage once again.' SPH has received the award every year since 2007.

Emphasising the importance of these benefactors, NHB chief executive Michael Koh said: 'Patrons play an extremely important role in cultural philanthropy. Their support allows us to go beyond our normal activities. We hope their generosity will motivate others to do the same.'