Chairman's Foreword
At the core of every thriving society is a foundation of heritage, built and buttressed by the unwavering support of its patrons.
Recognising the importance of such support, the Patron of Heritage Awards was established in 2006 to shine a spotlight on the remarkable individuals and organisations that have significantly enriched the heritage landscape.
This year, I am privileged to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the patrons who, through their collective passion, have contributed $11.67 million to heritage causes in 2023. The increase in the number of awardees to 89, from last year’s 64 awardees, is a resounding testament to the strength of our heritage community.
Over the years, the generosity of heritage benefactors from all walks of life has empowered us to preserve and celebrate our shared heritage. With their support, we were able to enhance our museum offerings, expand the National Collection, elevate our capabilities, and extend our outreach efforts to champion the role of heritage and culture in our lives.
Nurturing a Sustainable Heritage Sector
The enduring support for the heritage sector is built over time through the dedication of long-term benefactors who share our vision. Many recognise the crucial role of our heritage and culture as a source of pride and inspiration and in connecting past, present and future generations of Singaporeans.
On this note, I am happy to share that in May 2023, the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) celebrated its 25th anniversary gala, which saw both longstanding and new donors coming together to support the museum’s mission. The event not only introduced new supporters to ACM’s work, but also laid the groundwork for continued investment in our cultural legacy. We are grateful to all who made the fundraising gala a success, which will go a long way towards strengthening the museum’s content, research and programmes, as well as enhancing our engagement with audiences.
We continued to provide Singaporeans with diverse and dynamic offerings, thanks to the dedication of our patrons. Last year, we delved into our evolving identity through exhibitions that explored themes such as tourism, fashion, and nation-building. These exhibitions – namely the National Museum of Singapore’s
Now Boarding: Singapore Through Travel, 1800s – 2000s, ACM’s Andrew Gn: Fashioning Singapore and the World, and the Founders’ Memorial’s pilot exhibition Semangat yang Baru: Forging A New Singapore Spirit – added more dimensions and insights to our heritage.
Beyond the museums, support from diverse partners bolstered our outreach programmes and iconic festivals, including the Singapore HeritageFest and Singapore Night Festival; language campaigns – Speak Good English Movement, Speak Mandarin Campaign, Bulan Bahasa (Malay Language Month) and Tamil Language Festival; as well as the outreach initiatives of The Intan, a Peranakan private museum. These partners hailed from industries such as media, MICE, real estate and investment and transport. They brought with them their resources and vast networks, with some also co creating the offerings with us. This amplified the impact of our initiatives, inviting more people to experience and engage with Singapore’s heritage.
It Takes a Village
Preserving our heritage requires a collective effort, with the community playing a vital role in its development and engagement. Initiatives such as a mural in Kampong Gelam that paid tribute to the area’s rich history commissioned by Mr Anil Chandru Thadani – a heritage business owner in the neighbourhood, and an immersive exhibition on the culture and history of kampongs developed for Singapore Night Festival 2023 by precinct stakeholder The Oval Partnership Consultants, highlighted the increasingly active role community stakeholders have played in taking ownership of the heritage they feel passionate about. Their contributions through expertise, talent and resources reflect the enduring ‘kampong spirit’ that lives on today.
In the same spirit of community giving, various partners have also helped us make significant strides in promoting inclusivity for all to enjoy our heritage and spaces. These included the National Museum’s Reunion Social Space and Café designed by RSP Architects Planners & Engineers to support the well-being of seniors, Dalio Philanthropies’ grant that went towards enhancing accessibility for children with special needs at the Children’s Museum Singapore (CMSG), as well as Apollo Management Singapore Pte Ltd’s support through both financial contributions and corporate volunteerism, which helped create meaningful experiences for children from Club Rainbow through CMSG’s accessibility programme.
The community is at the heart of what we do at the National Heritage Board. Under Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0 that builds on the achievements of our first masterplan, we are committed to engaging more Singaporeans to be active participants in celebrating and contributing to our heritage. Through our outreach efforts, ranging from community galleries and Street Corner Heritage Galleries to the new Heritage Activation Node initiative, we partner and empower residents, community groups and heritage businesses to showcase the unique history and culture of various neighbourhoods, fostering deeper appreciation and pride in our heritage.
Charting Our Future Together
As we take our efforts further with Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0, the role of heritage champions like yourselves remains vital. I look forward to our continued partnerships in shaping and safeguarding the future of our heritage.
Ms Yeoh Chee Yan
Chairman
National Heritage Board
Award Recipients
Download the booklet for more information on Patron of Heritage Awards 2023 and the list of recipients.