About Us

Established in 1938, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) is Singapore’s pioneer and largest arts institution. The academy is known for its rigorous and high-quality curriculum, innovative and practitioners-led teaching approach, diverse artistic creations and community outreach.

NAFA has nurtured the most number of alumni conferred the nation’s highest accolades, with 16 Cultural Medallion and 15 Young Artist Award recipients. NAFA graduates are creative changemakers, highly skilled, and well-rounded in interdisciplinary approaches who impact diverse arts and creative fields in Singapore and abroad.

The academy offers full-time diploma, bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes across three faculties: Faculty of Art & Design, Faculty of Performing Arts, and Faculty of Interdisciplinary Practices. All students are provided with global engagement opportunities through overseas immersion programmes and study trips, international placements, and student exchanges. Their learning is also enriched by visiting artists and academics’ masterclasses. Eminent international university partners include the Royal College of Music in London, Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, and University of the Arts London.

Renowned for its unique identity and strength in Southeast Asian arts, NAFA’s Institute of Southeast Asian Arts (ISEAA) leads in Southeast Asian arts practice and research locally and internationally. With a rich heritage, established track record and an unwavering dedication to the highest standards of arts education, NAFA lives up to its mission of “inspiring learning and growth through the arts” with a first-in-Asia cradle-to-grey pathway in arts education.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

At NAFA, creativity is guided by purpose. We shape artists and designers whose work enriches communities locally, regionally, and beyond. As a founding member of the University of the Arts Singapore(UAS), NAFA brings together interdisciplinary practice, research, and collaboration, connecting learners and faculty to regional and global networks that support exploration, innovation, and leadership.

Through initiatives such as the Talent Accelerator Programmes, artist residencies, cross-cultural exchanges, and the Special Projects Award, NAFA creates opportunities for students and faculty to experiment boldly, engage critically, and deepen their practice. Strategic collaborations, including our multi-year partnership with UOB, joint initiatives with Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC), and our collaboration framework with Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, create platforms for dialogue, professional growth, and meaningful contribution to the wider arts ecosystem. Engagements with cultural and community partners, healthcare organisations, alongside initiatives exploring intersections such as arts and health, further demonstrate NAFA’s commitment to the wider community and the enduring impact of the arts.

Since our establishment in 1938, NAFA has nurtured more than 16,000 full-time graduates and over 140,000 learners through our part-time and junior programmes. Our alumni include 16 of Singapore’s Cultural Medallion and 15 Young Artist Award recipients, whose achievements and contributions reflect the depth and rigour of a NAFA education. We are equally proud of our faculty, past and present, whose dedication as artists, educators, and mentors has shaped generations of creative practitioners and continues to define NAFA’s standards of excellence.

Southeast Asian arts have long been central to NAFA’s identity and purpose. Through the Institute of Southeast Asian Arts (ISEAA), NAFA advances artistic practice, research, and critical discourse that illuminate the region’s rich cultural traditions and contemporary expressions. Through the Southeast Asian Arts Forum, NAFA’s chairmanship of the Southeast Asian Arts Alliance (SEArch), as well as research exchanges and major exhibitions, NAFA has strengthened its role as a key platform for regional dialogue and established itself as a respected voice in the global arts community.

NAFA is committed to making arts education accessible across all ages and stages of learning. Our offerings span arts‑enriched preschool learning, youth programmes, diploma, degree, and postgraduate studies, as well as lifelong learning courses for adult learners. Through these pathways, we nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence, supporting learners in engaging with the arts as a lifelong practice.

At the tertiary level, our faculty work closely with students across Art and Design, Performing Arts, and Interdisciplinary Practices to build strong technical foundations while nurturing critical thinking, collaboration, and bold exploration. Beyond our campuses, international residencies, including our studios at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris, offer valuable global perspectives and professional exchange, enabling students to develop as culturally grounded and forward‑looking creative leaders.

As NAFA continues to evolve, we remain focused on strengthening innovation in teaching and research, integrating technology thoughtfully into creative practice, and cultivating strategic partnerships locally and internationally. Through these efforts, we prepare artists and designers to contribute meaningfully to the arts, to society, and to an ever-evolving global creative landscape.

To all aspiring artists, designers, and creative thinkers, I invite you to pursue your ideas with courage and to grow your practice with purpose. At NAFA, your artistic journey finds a home where heritage inspires innovation, creativity opens pathways and learning nurtures lasting impact.

Mrs Tan-Soh Wai Lan
President
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts