Organizer Information
The National Library Creative Residency is initiated by the National Library Board (NLB), Singapore, a statutory board under the Ministry of Digital Development and Information that manages the country’s public libraries and archives. Within this ecosystem, the residency is developed in close collaboration with the National Archives of Singapore (NAS), which preserves and provides access to Singapore’s documentary heritage.
National Library Board Singapore operates one of the most extensive public knowledge infrastructures in Southeast Asia, combining physical library spaces with large-scale digitized collections, research databases, and public programming. Meanwhile, the National Archives of Singapore is responsible for safeguarding archival records that document Singapore’s political, social, and cultural history.
Together, these institutions aim to activate archival materials not only as research resources but as catalysts for contemporary artistic production. The residency reflects a broader institutional shift toward participatory archival engagement, where artists and creative practitioners reinterpret collections for public-facing cultural dialogue.
Title & Description
National Library Creative Residency (Singapore) – Call for Creative Practitioners
This six-month residency invites artists, writers, designers, musicians, filmmakers, and interdisciplinary creatives to develop new work inspired by the physical and digital collections of the National Library Singapore (NLS) and the National Archives of Singapore (NAS).
The core objective is to encourage participants to reinterpret Singapore’s documented histories and cultural memory through innovative artistic methodologies. Residents are expected to engage deeply with archival materials and transform them into new creative outputs that may include artworks, publications, videos, musical compositions, performances, digital experiences, or experimental forms.
Key thematic areas include:
- Social history of Singapore through photographs, oral histories, and archival records
- Singapore’s visual culture in design, everyday life, and media
- Literary narratives and textual histories within Singapore’s cultural canon
The program emphasizes both research and production, requiring artists to not only develop conceptual frameworks but also produce public-facing outcomes that expand how audiences engage with archival knowledge.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Digital Media and New Media Art
- Literature and Writing
- Music and Sound Composition
- Film and Video
- Design (graphic, spatial, or interaction design)
- Performance and Interdisciplinary Practices
- Experimental or hybrid artistic forms (including game design and interactive storytelling)
Eligibility
- Open to Singapore-based creative practitioners only
- Individuals or collectives may apply
- Applicants from all artistic disciplines are eligible
- Applicants should demonstrate:
- A relevant artistic or research track record
- Prior experience in producing creative or research-based work
- Capacity to independently manage and complete a six-month project
Both established and mid-career practitioners are encouraged, though a strong portfolio and demonstrated professional engagement are expected.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Monthly stipend of S$3,500 for six months (to cover living and local expenses)
- Up to S$6,000 reimbursement for approved project-related materials and production costs
- Institutional access to NLS and NAS collections and research resources
- Opportunity to publicly present research and creative outputs (including potential live-streamed events)
- Archival recognition and documentation of selected works within NLB systems (where applicable)
- Professional engagement with NLB staff and curatorial/archival teams
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed application form (including verified academic and professional documentation if applicable)
- Project proposal (max. 10 pages) including:
- Research focus and use of NLS/NAS collections
- Intended artistic outcome and presentation format
- Project milestones and timeline
- Conceptual contribution and interpretive approach
- Curriculum Vitae (CV), including:
- Residencies, awards, and research experience
- Exhibitions, publications, and presentations
- Portfolio of at least five relevant works
- Two reference letters addressing:
- Applicant’s qualifications and track record
- Quality and feasibility of previous work
- Capacity for timely project delivery
- Familiarity with relevant archival sources
- Contribution to the field
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted via email: NL_Creative_Residency@nlb.gov.sg
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 29 May 2026
- Notification Period: Within 5 months after the closing date
- Residency Duration: 6 months (start date to be confirmed with selected applicants)
Location
Singapore
Additional Details
- Actively engage with archival collections as part of their research methodology
- Participate in knowledge-sharing sessions with NLB staff
- Deliver at least one public presentation of their work
- Submit a final written report (1,000–3,000 words) documenting their process
- Acknowledge NLB in any resulting publications or presentations
- Ensure proper rights clearance for all third-party materials used
Selection is based on originality, artistic merit, feasibility, and the strength of engagement with archival resources. Projects must be realistically achievable within the six-month timeframe and demonstrate a clear conceptual and methodological link to NLS/NAS collections.