Organizer Information
Singapore Art Week (SAW) is a flagship annual visual arts platform initiated and supported by the National Arts Council (NAC), Singapore. Since its establishment, SAW has developed into one of Southeast Asia’s most significant cultural events, positioning Singapore as a regional hub for contemporary art production, curatorial experimentation, and cross-disciplinary exchange.
The platform operates as a distributed festival, activating a wide range of sites across the city-state—including major arts institutions, independent galleries, public spaces, heritage districts, commercial venues, and non-traditional locations such as homes, bookstores, and cinemas. This decentralised model reflects SAW’s curatorial philosophy of “Art Takes Over,” emphasizing accessibility, public engagement, and the integration of art into everyday urban life.
Each edition of SAW presents a curated constellation of exhibitions, performances, installations, talks, screenings, and participatory events, often highlighting both established and emerging practitioners from Singapore and the broader Southeast Asian region. The platform is designed not only as a presentation space but also as a production engine for new commissions and experimental collaborations.
For its 15th edition in 2027, SAW continues its mission of strengthening Singapore’s contemporary art ecosystem while expanding its international visibility through collaborative, interdisciplinary, and site-responsive projects.
Title & Description
Singapore Art Week 2027 Open Call for Proposals
The Singapore Art Week 2027 Open Call invites artists, curators, producers, collectives, and cultural organizations to submit proposals for interdisciplinary and participatory projects that will be presented during the festival period (21–31 January 2027).
The open call specifically encourages projects that foreground collaboration across disciplines, geographies, and communities, with a strong emphasis on exchange between Singapore-based practitioners and artists from Southeast Asia. Proposals should explore how artistic practice can generate dialogue between artists, audiences, environments, and social contexts.
Applicants are encouraged to develop works that are process-driven, site-responsive, and publicly engaged, with formats that may include exhibitions, performances, screenings, temporary outdoor installations, guided tours, talks, lectures, workshops, or hybrid experimental formats beyond conventional categories.
SAW 2027 places particular importance on projects that activate both established cultural districts—such as Gillman Barracks, Tanjong Pagar District, Bras Basah Bugis, and the Civic District—as well as unconventional or unexpected sites including private homes, commercial spaces, and everyday urban environments. This reflects the festival’s commitment to expanding the spatial and conceptual boundaries of contemporary art presentation.
Successful proposals will contribute to a city-wide cultural activation that transforms Singapore into a dynamic, multi-sited platform for artistic exchange and public engagement.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Contemporary Art
- Installation Art
- Performance Art
- Moving Image / Screenings
- Public Art
- Interdisciplinary Practice
- Curatorial Projects
- Participatory / Social Practice
- Site-Specific / Environmental Art
- Talks / Lectures / Workshops
Eligibility
- Open to Singapore-based artists, curators, producers, collectives, institutions, organisations, and corporations
- International collaboration is allowed only if the lead applicant is a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident based in Singapore
- At least 50% of the core artistic team must be Singapore-based (Citizens or PRs)
- Applicants from all career stages are eligible, including emerging and established practitioners
- Projects must demonstrate a strong conceptual framework and feasibility for public presentation within the SAW 2027 timeframe
- Applicants must be able to secure and confirm proposed venues (with support from NAC where applicable)
Program Benefits & Awards
- Project funding is typically between SGD $15,000 – $50,000, depending on evaluation score and project scope
- Inclusion in the official Singapore Art Week 2027 programme (21–31 January 2027)
- Opportunity to present work across high-profile and experimental venues throughout Singapore
- Curatorial and institutional support from the National Arts Council (NAC)
- Increased regional and international visibility through SAW’s global audience network
- Potential access to suggested venues and logistical guidance (subject to availability)
- Platform for collaboration with Southeast Asian artists, curators, and producers
- Contribution to a major city-wide cultural festival with institutional recognition
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed electronic application form (via FormSG)
- Project proposal (as specified in the official brief)
- CVs of key participants
- Full list of artists/artworks involved in the project
- Visual materials (images, sketches, or preparatory drawings if final visuals are not available)
- Portfolio or supporting documentation of previous work (if applicable)
- Venue proposal and confirmation strategy
- Budget breakdown (if required in brief)
- Any additional supporting documents via Dropbox submission
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 20 May 2026
- Briefing Session: 22 April 2026
- Festival Period: 21–31 January 2027
- Project Presentation Window: Must include at least 21 January 2027 (projects may extend beyond festival dates)
Location
Singapore (city-wide festival format)
Additional Details
- Projects must emphasise collaboration, interdisciplinarity, and public engagement
- Strong preference for proposals involving Southeast Asian artistic exchange
- Applicants are responsible for securing venues, although NAC may suggest potential sites
- Projects must be publicly accessible during the festival period
- Complete project details (including artworks and participants) are required at application stage
- The festival supports experimental, non-traditional, and site-responsive formats
- Funding is competitive and based on evaluation scoring
- Applicants are responsible for ensuring full compliance with deadlines; no extensions are granted
- Selected projects must align with SAW’s curatorial vision and public accessibility goals