Category: Fundraisers

The winning works of the annual art competition are on display at Ngee Ann City, and available for purchase to raise funds for less-privileged children

A QUIET and tender portrayal of familial love earned 14-year-old Myra Jade Wee the top prize at the 13-19 Art Prize, organised by The Business Times and not-for-profit arts organisation TRCL.

Her painting, inspired by a memory of her grandparents caring for her when she was recovering from a leg injury, beautifully captures their gentle devotion. In the scene, her grandfather carries her school bag and her grandmother holds a bowl of homemade soup, as Wee hobbles home from school. Instead of depicting the moment head-on, Wee chose a more subtle perspective, showing her and her grandparents from behind, allowing the sincerity of their actions to speak for itself.

“I felt extremely grateful to my grandparents and wanted to express this warm feeling of familial love, through the use of strong lighting and vibrant colours. I hope this artwork evokes a sense of appreciation for family in the viewer,” Wee shares.

Her painting, alongside 22 other winning artworks, are currently being exhibited for free at Ngee Ann City Atrium (Level 1) until Oct 20. Other standout works include a striking abstract by Tan Jia Xin, 17, and a self-portrait by Zhang Enfei, also 17.

The winners were selected from over 300 works submitted by teenagers aged 13 to 19 across Singapore and neighbouring countries earlier this year.

All the winning artworks are being auctioned off to the public to raise funds for The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, a charity which helps children from low-income families pursue arts courses. The newspaper firmly believes that the arts are uniquely positioned to help nurture the creativity and self-confidence of such underserved children.

The works are priced as low as S$300 and as high as S$1,500. In order to bid for a work, log on to the TRCL website (trcl.sg/13-19-art-prize/auction/). Pick the artwork(s) you like and register your bid amount. If the opening price for a work is S$300, you can bid that amount or anything above that amount. 

As this is a “silent auction”, you will not know the identity of other bidders or the amounts they have put in. At the end of November, the work goes to the highest bidder. The bidders’ names and their bid amounts will remain anonymous. TRCL will then courier the work/s to you.

The prize-giving ceremony held recently was graced by Rosa Daniel, the former CEO of National Arts Council and current dean of Culture Academy, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Takashimaya sponsored the prizes as well as the exhibition space. 

Samantha Tan, senior department manager of advertising and promotions, Takashimaya Singapore, says: “We’re proud to be the prize and venue sponsor of the 13-19 Art Prize. We have long believed in the immense creative potential of our next generation, and we are committed to fostering and supporting that talent. By sponsoring the prizes and providing a platform for young artists to showcase their work, we hope to inspire these future visionaries and help them realise their full potential.”

The winning works were selected by an advisory committee of art professionals and art collectors, headed by Chong Huai Seng, co-founder of art advisory and gallery space The Culture Story. The other committee members are Audrey Yeo, founder of Yeo Workshop and president of the Art Galleries Association Singapore; Tan Kheng Lai, CEO and fund manager at North AMG; Tan See Kia, head of junior art at the School of Young Talents at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts; Audrey Zhang, owner of Prestige Art Gallery; Rosalynn Tay, a professional photographer; Nicholas Song, a lawyer; and Helmi Yusof, deputy lifestyle editor at The Business Times.

The Legacy of Giving Charity Gala, held on 25^th May 2024 at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, was a heartfelt tribute to the enduring spirit of generosity championed by Ms. Jennie Chua. Celebrating both Ms. Jennie Chua’s unwavering, lifelong commitment to philanthropy and her 80th birthday, the gala successfully raised funds for programs aimed at uplifting the lives of many needful individuals, vulnerable families, and underserved children and youths in our community.

Gilbert Madhavan, General Manager of One Farrer Hotel, served as the Chairman of the organising committee. “It was the first time we came together as volunteers to celebrate the spirit of giving, which Ms. Jennie Chua has been championing all her life. We felt it would speak volumes to organise a dinner for the causes she cares the most about: the community, the elderly, and the children,” said Madhavan. The three beneficiaries of the Legacy of Giving Charity Gala are Community Chest (CC), Woodlands Health Fund Limited (WHFL), and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF).

The evening began with a captivating performance by the Primary Dance Team from Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS), comprising talented students from Primary 3. Dancing to ‘A Million Dreams,’ the performance was a poignant tribute by Ms. Jennie Chua’s alma mater, reflecting her contributions to the school as student and as chairman.

The evening’s culinary marvel was specially curated by Lynn Yeow De-Vito, thanks to the collaboration of chefs from several Michelin-starred restaurants who generously lent their expertise to support the cause. Culinary icons included Singapore’s food ambassador Violet Oon; Julien Royer of Odette; Cheung Siu Kong of Summer Pavilion; Kirk Westaway of JAAN; Matteo Ponti of Braci; and the Singapore Pastry Alliance. Their exquisite creations delighted the guests with a combination of delectable flavours designed to elevate one another.

The entertainment lineup featured performances from celebrated artists who came together to support this cause. Singaporean artist Kit Chan delivered a soulful rendition of her hit song “Home,” while Indonesian singer and America’s Got Talent finalist Putri Ariani and 15-year-old Singaporean whistling sensation Lim Jing Rui captivated the audience with their solo acts. The evening also featured a mesmerising performance by Wu Zhengdan and Wei Baohua of the Guangdong Acrobatic Arts Theatre. The creative and musical direction by Jeremiah Choy and Lim Sek, respectively, ensured a lasting programme for the ages.

Adding to the star-studded affair, homegrown talent Dick Lee, who attended as a guest, took to the stage upon popular request. His renditions of “Fried Rice Paradise” and “Jennie,” a personalised version of “Tammy” by Debbie Reynolds, added a touch of nostalgia and humor. Lee’s performance not only completed the evening’s dinner but also highlighted Ms. Chua’s achievements in all facets of her life with his trademark wit.

The Legacy of Giving Charity Gala was a resounding success, exemplifying the power of community and the impact of philanthropy. The collective efforts of all involved, from performers to chefs, underscored the shared commitment to uplifting those in need and celebrated the extraordinary legacy of Ms. Jennie Chua.

Madhavan expressed his gratitude, saying, “We would like to thank everyone for generously coming forward to truly epitomise the spirit of giving, starting with the legend herself, Ms. Jennie Chua.”

The Legacy of Giving also held both live and silent auctions for fundraising during the dinner, thanks to the generous donations and sponsorships of individuals and organisations. The Legacy of Giving Charity Gala raised $3,518,000 on the night of the dinner.

Book raises $600,000 for charity

A book project featuring more than 100 stories on fond memories of instant noodles has brought people together for a good cause. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung will be the guest-ofhonour at an event to launch the book on 17 August at 5.30 pm at Raffles Hotel.

Titled Instant Comfort: A Collective Memory and published by not-for-profit arts organisation TRCL, the 236-page book features heart-warming stories from the community.

Says Mr Colin Goh, Chief Executive Officer of TRCL: “We all know that the new normal has driven the creative industry and charity sector to pivot from in-person fundraising events and performances to less traditional ways of generating revenue and donations to serve audiences and beneficiaries.

“As a charity arts organisation, we do not, as it is said, ‘waste a crisis.’ We see it as an opportunity to think out-of-the-box on how we embody the can-do spirit while relentlessly pursuing our vision to be a positive impact on the community through the arts.”

The idea of the book was inspired by an observation from the TRCL team on panic-buying that occurred during the Circuit Breaker last year. Instant noodles were one of the top three grocery items that flew off supermarket shelves.

Adds Mr Goh: “We realised that the snack could become a common denominator that attracts and binds peoples from all walks of life. Thus, the idea of a book that could bring the community together arose, serving as a repository of sorts for the community to share a memory, a moment from their lives. In the current situation we also felt that such a book would make an appropriate occasion to raise funds for our deserving causes.”

Instant Comfort includes stories from corporate chieftains, healthcare workers, students, national servicemen, artistes, foreign domestic workers, retirees, community organisation members, professionals, young and old. The book includes accounts by Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung, artiste and creative director Kit Chan, blogger mrbrown, former Olympic swimmer Oon Jin Teik, celebrity chef Eric Neo, William Wan of the Kindness Movement, Phillip Tan, Chairman of Community Chest, Lee Chee Koon, Group CEO of CapitaLand, to name but a few.

The 101 stories are at once heart-warming, humorous and life-affirming with this snack as a talking point.

Says Mr Alvin Tay, Deputy Chairman of TRCL and Advisor to the BT BAF: “The book is the creative output of a charity arts organisation which has seized the opportunity to engage diverse communities in a meaningful manner. Instant Comfort: A Collective Memory has brought the community together at a time when morale is tested, and visibility is not as clear as we wish it to be. The human spirit is resilient in challenging times and we are constantly finding a myriad of ways to stay resourceful and cheerful.”

Funds Raised for Charity

Instant Comfort: A Collective Memory has raised $600,000 for two children’s charities – The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF). We are grateful for the support and generosity of our donors including Lee Foundation, Sea Limited, CapitaLand Hope Foundation, FairPrice Foundation, Mind the Gap 200
Fund, Perennial Holdings and The Hour Glass. Our venue sponsor is Raffles Hotel Singapore.

WHERE TO BUY

Price of Book: $25 (inclusive of GST)

Launch Day Special on 17 August

On the launch day from 5.30pm, the book can be purchased at Raffles Boutique, the Raffles Hotel Singapore. Only for this evening, each book will come with a specially-designed bookmark (limited quantity, while stocks last) created by the beneficiaries of BT BAF. The book will be on sale at Raffles Boutique till 24 August.

From 18 August

Online Platforms
• eCapitaMall
• KrisShop Cares
• TRCL website
• Shopee will have a special promotion of the book in September

Physical Outlets
• 10 Square in Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, #10-01, Singapore 238896
• The Little Arts Academy, 930 Yishun Ave 2, Northpoint City, #03-38, North Wing, Singapore 769098

We’d like to thank the Raffles Boutique and our e-commerce platform partners eCapitaMall, KrisShop and Shopee for helping us promote the book to the community.

The Business Times-CapitaLand Fundraiser

Annual fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore) and School of the Arts Endowment Fund goes online for the first time in response to Covid-19 safe distancing measures

• Fourth edition of Sunburst concert, Sunburst Virtual Concert 2020: The Business Times – CapitaLand Fundraiser broadcasts on Thursday 19 November 2020, 8 pm—8.45 pm on SOTA’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/user/sotasg/videos
• Young talents respond with ingenuity to their study, play and work areas in school in the creation of their performances

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19 November 2020 – The Sunburst Virtual Concert 2020: The Business Times – CapitaLand Fundraising Show will go online for the first time this year in response to the current Covid-19 safe distancing measures.

The concert, which since 2017 has been an annual fundraiser for School of the Arts Endowment Fund [SOTA EF] and Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore) [MDAS], had been previously held at SOTA’s Concert Hall and Drama Theatre.

This new edition promises a refreshing and new take on the theme of “air.” Sunburst 2020 will see SOTA students responding with ingenuity and creativity to spaces within the SOTA campus for their performances while collaborative performances between SOTA and MDAS beneficiaries take on a digital spin with clever editing effects.

Says Mr Wong Wei Kong, Editor of The Business Times, which is the concert’s Organiser, “The impact of Covid-19 has highlighted more than ever the need for greater inclusivity. The message of Sunburst, in bringing together SOTA students and MDAS members on the same stage, is even more relevant. The restrictions brought about by the pandemic have also not derailed the show–instead it has unleashed a new creativity.”

This virtual event promises to be a visual treat and takes viewers inside the beautiful spaces of SOTA which was designed by Singapore architectural firm WOHA. The young talents have taken themselves out of the conventional concert stage to record their performances in unconventional settings like the school’s library, canteen, rooftop, and a grove-like terrace.

Viewers can expect to see refreshing takes on well-known works from pop to classical including John Lennon’s Imagine and Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring.

Artistic Director Jeremiah Choy says: “I don’t see the Covid-19 situation as a “challenge” but instead an opportunity to rethink, reflect and maybe re-set some of the programming that we’ve done before. The performers are still able to bond over the internet and deliver an amazing programme. The situation allows us to showcase the different aspects and façade of SOTA and MDAS, rather than confining the concert to the theatre or concert hall. Here, the platform showcases how the students and the members adapt to the situation and allows them to deliver something different, something refreshing.”

Sunburst Virtual Concert 2020 aims to raise $250,000 in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore) [MDAS] and the School of the Arts Endowment Fund (SOTA EF).
The concert’s presenting sponsor is CapitaLand, main sponsors are OCBC Bank and Standard Chartered Bank; supported by DBS Bank and the SPH Foundation.

Mr Tan Seng Chai, Chief Corporate & People Officer for CapitaLand Group and Executive Director of CapitaLand Hope Foundation, says: “CapitaLand is delighted to partner The Business Times and return as the presenting sponsor of this inspirational concert for the fourth year to help build a more inclusive society. As a socially responsible company, CapitaLand has been giving back to the communities where we operate globally. This gives us a sense of purpose, a soul to our company. Through our philanthropic arm, CapitaLand Hope Foundation, we support the social growth and development needs of underprivileged children so they can be nurtured to their full potential. We are heartened to see the resilience of our young beneficiaries putting together this virtual concert despite the pandemic. We hope that this concert will enable them to showcase their talents and give them greater confidence in shaping their future.”

Produced by arts and culture not-for-profit organisation Global Cultural Alliance, the 45-minute online concert also features members of MDAS and SOTA students in a collaborative cover of the catchy and resonant Bruno Mars’ number Count on Me. This performance acknowledges our interdependence and need for unity to rise against the disruptive nature of the pandemic, particularly in lives of MDAS members.

Mr William Eng, 32, MDAS member and designer with MDAS employment programme B-Hive says: “Despite difficulties we still can burst through the barriers like sunrays. Definitely felt very lucky and honoured that we can still perform under such circumstances. It’s been a fruitful experience. I’ve learnt a lot collaborating with this group of energetic, exciting, young talented students.”

SOTA students have augmented their vocal performances with visuals to amplify their sets. The group JFR (Jaime Chew, Freesia Tong, Raeanne Wong, all aged 15) have added a visual element to their medley When You Wish Upon a Star and Over the Rainbow with original art by MDAS members.

On behalf of the trio, SOTA Music student Raeanne Wong, 15, says: “To us, Sunburst is a platform that unites hearts and brings the community together. As such, we are immensely honoured to be given such an opportunity.”

Visual Arts student Freesia Tong adds, “Our performance includes a special visual arts component where we digitally drew on original artworks created by MDAS members. These meaningful and vibrant works represent friendship, hope and joy as we strive to create a more inclusive community.”