Singapore’s arts scene would not be what it is today without its arts educators. The passing down of knowledge and artistic skills ensures that new generations of arts practitioners are equipped with foundational knowledge as well as the curiosity and creative flair to go deeper in their practice. Arts educators work their magic in all schools, not just arts colleges. They enrich the learning experience by introducing rich artworks and artistic tools, adding new dimensions to the learning while fostering critical thinking and self-reflection.

Besides imparting skills in artmaking, the arts educator forms an important pillar in the holistic upbringing of a child. In August 2024, Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Usha Chandradas pushed for arts education to be more prominent in mainstream education. This was part of her speech to Parliament where she said, “developing a creative citizenry is a bread-and-butter issue”. Besides learning art to make art, the arts can teach young people to balance practical and logical thinking with humanistic and ideological perspectives. As reinforced by NMP Chandradas, “creative thinking and innovation are increasingly critical skills, essential for Singapore’s workforce to be competitive globally”.

So, who are our arts educators? The National Arts Council points out that arts educators have their own career journeys in the practice of their art form and in education that complement each other. Just as Som Said and Kuo Pao Kun each had their individual creative practices, they also paved the way for many in their capacities as educators. Today, Singapore’s arts educators have diverse backgrounds and work across many art forms, from traditional and contemporary arts to live performances and digital media. They also work with a broad spectrum of learners, including those with disabilities, individuals from diverse linguistic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, migrants, and students of all ages. Arts educators also make important contributions in arts management and research.

The following profiles are our salute to the unsung heroes of our flourishing arts and cultural sector: the educators. Of course, this is not the be-all and end-all list. There are many other arts educators making strides—you might even know some of them yourself. This Teacher’s Day, we tip our hats to them for the inspiring work that they do inside and outside the classroom.