LASALLE College of the Arts is a "gem" in Singapore's education and arts sectors, showcasing how art can drive economic innovation, enhance social welfare and build bridges among people.
During LASALLE’s 40th anniversary celebration gala on Friday (8 November), President Tharman recognised the significant role which LASALLE and arts education play in society.
In his speech, he said that LASALLE had contributed to the development of the arts and imagination of the nation, benefiting both society and the economy. Since its inception, LASALLE has engaged diverse communities in meaningful ways, such as collaborating with the Singapore Prison Service to provide training for inmates and participating in initiatives like the Purple Parade.
He highlighted various collaborative projects between LASALLE and businesses as well as other academic institutions, including designing mobile accessories and wearable technology, creating wayfinding signage for new housing estates, employing therapeutic drama and art therapy for dementia management, and researching how art can promote brain health and support neuroscience. He pointed out that LASALLE demonstrated that art could drive economic innovation across a wide range of fields, enhancing societal welfare.
At the event attended by approximately 300 guests, Tharman remarked, “Together with the growing field of artists and those appreciating the arts in Singapore, LASALLE is also playing a broader, less tangible but no less meaningful role; you are helping to build and strengthen the bridges that deepen and broaden our sense of ourselves as Singaporeans."
The roles of these bridges include connecting evolving cultures while highlighting the humanity within each culture; fostering empathy and understanding between generations with differing lifestyles; embracing individuals with diverse beliefs and viewpoints and facilitating connections between Singaporeans and others in the same region.
Founded in 1984 by Brother Joseph McNally, LASALLE College of the Arts was formerly known as St Patrick's Arts Centre. The College was previously located at Telok Kurau Road and Goodman Road before relocating to its current campus on McNally Street in 2007.
Currently, the College offers 35 diploma, bachelor's and master's degree programmes across various disciplines including design, dance, drama, music and fashion, and has approximately 2,600 students, two-thirds of whom are local.
This year, LASALLE welcomed its first cohort of students at the newly established University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), a joint initiative with Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts aimed at promoting local artistic development with government funding.
In his speech, LASALLE Chairman Peter Seah Lim Huat said that the arts is neither isolated nor exists in an ivory tower. The arts and design can influence lifestyles, environments, narratives and modes of expression, this is also LASALLE’s raison d’être. Arts institutions like LASALLE are essential in Singapore to provide our next generation with space to unleash their creativity and grow.
LASALLE's performing arts, fine arts and design programs have been ranked among the best in Southeast Asia
According to the 2024 QS World University Rankings, LASALLE's performing arts, fine arts and design programmes have been ranked among the best in Southeast Asia. The College has also nurtured numerous cultural award recipients over the years.
LASALLE President Professor Steve Dixon expressed gratitude for the support from various sectors over the years which has enabled LASALLE to achieve its current standing. He noted that this September, the College held a charity art auction to kick off a series of anniversary celebrations. Alumni, faculty members, business partners, and others donated over 60 pieces of art for auction and proceeds would go towards the college education fund to assist economically disadvantaged students.
In conjunction with its 40th anniversary celebrations, two exhibitions are being held on campus. One exhibition titled Many Worlds at A Glance, Many Worlds All at Once, curated by alumnus John Tung, features works from 40 alumni and runs from Friday until 14 December. Another design-themed exhibition called The Design Constellation will be held until next Thursday (14 November).
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Image: Zheng Yiming
