MARINA Bay Sands (MBS) on Monday (Jan 22) announced that it donated S$500,000 to a fund under the National Arts Council (NAC).

This contribution marks the establishment of the Sands Innovative Arts Fund, which helps emerging artists and innovative creators with their community outreach. It is one of the integrated resort’s largest donations to support the arts since its opening in 2010.

Paul Town, MBS’ chief operating officer, said: “Through the Sands Innovative Arts Fund, MBS is proud to play a role in shaping the future of the arts scene in Singapore. This donation reflects our commitment to fostering creativity and innovation in the arts space for future generations.”

The fund comes under NAC’s Sustain the Arts Fund, which boosts the efforts of small arts groups and helps them become sustainable. MBS noted that the donation will allow artists to “leverage new technologies in art-making and audience engagement”, enabling growth in the community. 

The donation follows a three-year memorandum of understanding signed between MBS and NAC, cementing the integrated resort’s commitment to the arts landscape in Singapore.

MBS’ fund is also eligible for dollar-for-dollar matching under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth’s Cultural Matching Fund, which will raise total contributions to up to S$1 million.

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The Sands Innovative Arts Fund is part of MBS’ community engagement programme, Sands Cares, of which support for the arts is a key pillar. The launch of the fund also coincides with Singapore Art Week, taking place from Jan 19 to 28. 

Lynette Pang, deputy chief executive of NAC, said she hopes the initiative will see more like-minded partners and private-sector organisations coming together to build the country’s arts scene.

Those in Singapore’s arts community may apply to the Sands Innovative Arts Fund and submit their proposals from Monday to Feb 29. Successful applicants will be notified in June. For more information, For more information, visit the stART Fund page on the NAC website.