BT Budding Artists Fund marks 12th anniversary with two new centres

Singapore

THE Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) is celebrating its 12th anniversary on May 12 by widening its reach to the northern part of Singapore with two new training centres.

BT BAF supports arts training for financially-disadvantaged children in Singapore.

At the anniversary celebrations at 10 Square on Friday, S$400,000 in donation raised by UOB for ChildAid was presented to BT BAF. ChildAid is an annual children's charity concert that raises funds for BT BAF as well as The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

The fund was founded in 2005 with the aim of providing a level-playing field in the arts for financially-disadvantaged children. It is managed by The Rice Company Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation that is focused on harvesting the potential of arts and culture.

Two new arts training centres for children at Northpoint Shopping Centre in Yishun will be opened in the third quarter of this year. They will be called The Little Arts Academy North Campus 1 and 2.

BT BAF currently supports two centrally-located arts centre, The Little Arts Academy at Selegie Road and 10 Square @ Orchard Central on Orchard Road.

Both are multi-disciplinary arts centres that provide creative learning environments for BT BAF beneficiaries aged six to 19 to pursue music, dance, theatre and visual arts.

BT BAF chairman Alvin Tay said: "There are many who may find it challenging to travel to town for their lessons.

"As such, these two new centres will serve the needs of families in the north and north-east, and make it more convenient for them to attend arts classes.

"With the two new campuses, The Little Arts Academy will also be able to increase its annual intake by 300 and further its reach so as to sustain a running cohort of 800 beneficiaries."

Eric Tham, head of group commercial banking at UOB, said: "UOB's support of arts education is one way we give back to the community as we believe that the arts can inspire hearts and minds.

"We are pleased to be part of BT BAF's 12th anniversary celebrations, and to continue our contribution to the fund as we are inspired by the passion shown by these young performers and their ability to create performances that enrich the minds and inspire the community."