Govt will give subsidies to the 200 students offered places each year
By Sandra Davie, The Straits Times, 1 Mar 2012
ASPIRING Singaporean artists or fashion designers will have the chance to get a top-notch degree right on their doorstep with Lasalle College of the Arts teamed up with a leading British institution.
Their fees at the private institution will be subsidised by the Government, which yesterday reiterated its commitment to supporting arts education.
Fourteen courses will be on offer at Lasalle from this August, with Goldsmiths College in London carrying out quality checks to make sure they meet its standards. The degrees will be given out by Goldsmiths.
The curriculum will be designed by Lasalle lecturers, who have been running degree programmes validated by Britain's Open University since 2004.
The 200 students offered places every year will have their fees subsidised by the Government.
Tuition costs about $18,000 a year but Singaporeans will pay only $10,000. Permanent residents receive a smaller subsidy. They will pay $13,200 a year.
Similarly, students at another private arts institution, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa), receive partial funding for taking up music degrees offered by London's Royal College of Music.
This course, which was launched last year, takes in 20 students annually.
Diploma programmes at both Lasalle and Nafa have been funded by the Government since 1999.
Speaking at the official signing ceremony between Lasalle and Goldsmiths, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the move reflects Singapore's commitment to providing alternative programmes and courses within the arts. This is so 'people with different talents and interests can find their own niche, their own avenue and their own success'.
Speaking at the official signing ceremony between Lasalle and Goldsmiths, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the move reflects Singapore's commitment to providing alternative programmes and courses within the arts. This is so 'people with different talents and interests can find their own niche, their own avenue and their own success'.
He noted how Singapore has built up arts education over the years.
Students can now choose from a wide range of schools, including the National University of Singapore's Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and Nanyang Technological University's School of Art, Design and Media.
'All this reflects the Government's commitment to build many peaks of excellence in our education system, and not just a single pinnacle of achievement,' he said.
Students can now choose from a wide range of schools, including the National University of Singapore's Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and Nanyang Technological University's School of Art, Design and Media.
'All this reflects the Government's commitment to build many peaks of excellence in our education system, and not just a single pinnacle of achievement,' he said.
He added that Singapore's arts scene has become much more vibrant in recent years, and stressed that arts and culture are an important part of building a gracious society.
These form essential aspects of a people's identity, he said, and can bring individuals together regardless of their cultures or backgrounds.
Mr Lee added that the Government will take an 'eclectic' approach by opening itself to a wide range of art forms, to build a 'diverse arts landscape with something for everybody'.
Lasalle chairman Peter Seah said Goldsmiths is ranked in the top 10 British institutions for research.
The partnership is in Singapore's best interests, he added, because it will help to develop the next generation of arts and cultural leaders.
He also praised the Government's efforts to give local talent the best possible opportunities.
Goldsmiths chairman Christopher Jonas said the partnership will benefit the creative economies of both Singapore and Britain.
Lasalle fine arts student Karen Heng, who hopes to be admitted into the Goldsmiths degree course this August, said that the tuition subsidy will put a world-class arts education within reach.
The 21-year-old, who is interested in printmaking, said: 'At $10,000 a year for two years, it will be quite affordable. If I had to go to London to do the degree course, it would cost much much more and would be out of my reach.'
She added that Goldsmiths is a 'big name' in the arts.
'It will definitely give us an edge in the job market when we graduate,' she said.
The 14 degree courses will be in fine arts, design, media arts and performing arts, including acting, dance and music.
Students who have completed a relevant arts diploma will be allowed to finish the programme in two years.
A-level students will take three years to complete the course.
No comments:
Post a Comment