Friday, May 29, 2009

LASALLE aims to be the world’s premier institution of higher learning for intercultural study of diverse artistic traditions.

Mr Peter Seah, Chairman of LASALLE Foundation noted, “Singapore is geographically positioned to facilitate this intercultural discourse between the Western and Eastern artistic contemporary practices”.

LASALLE, which began 25 years ago in a backyard of a school in the suburban east, has transformed into a multimillion dollar state of the art campus in the heart of Singapore. By being an accessible physical resource and a provider of hands-on artistic educational experiences, LASALLE is also set to be a major artistic reservoir for its local communities.

Reinforcing LASALLE’s founding principles of providing a contemporary art and design education, the College “will introduce and spearhead the study of New Art which promotes the debate between the arts from different cultural backgrounds. Our special focus is on the artistic trends in the South East Asia region and their relationship to Western practice,” says Professor Alastair Pearce, President of LASALLE College of the Arts.

Added Mr Peter Seah, “Singapore, being at the crossroads of so many diverse cultures, is the perfect platform to explore these new and emerging voices in art. That is why students from all over the world come to LASALLE. They want to have the opportunity to study the richness and intricacies of many arts”.

LASALLE’s international collaborations with renowned universities such as Tokyo University of the Arts, the British Royal College of Art and the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris also serve as part of the catalyst to offer both artists and art students opportunities to create New Art by transcending traditionaL subject and cultural boundaries.

These new developments are aimed at providing an optimal student experience, to shape the calibre of LASALLE students to be resourceful, creative and reflective graduates, ready for sustained employment and lifelong learning.

To cater to the needs of the students, the city campus sits on a 1 hectare site with the address of 1 McNally Street. It consists of a multitude of facilities including purpose-built dance, film and music studios and performance-ready black boxes, open-air flexible spaces, a 500-seat auditorium and 1,500 square metres of art exhibition galleries.

Its specifically designed open concept reflects LASALLE’s invitation to the community to engage in the arts through their student exhibitions, concerts and performances. Other measures include the opening of their art galleries to the public for free viewing all year round.

Furthermore, several collaborations with the local community are already in place. Examples include work with local hospitals, Singapore Prison Service and SIF overseas volunteer projects. In undertaking these exciting new works, the college will foster awareness and facilitate a greater understanding, enjoyment and participation in the arts.

The College was officially opened by Guest of Honour, Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Education on 27 May 2009.

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