UOL and ART:DIS unveil inaugural Art Prize for artists with disabilities in Singapore

For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

UOL AND ART:DIS UNVEIL INAUGURAL ART PRIZE FOR ARTISTS WITH

DISABILITIES IN SINGAPORE

• Biennial competition open to students from about 20 special education schools and artists from ART:DIS
• Launch held in conjunction with UOL's 60th year and 30th anniversary of ART:DIS
• Both organisations committed to supporting diversity in the arts and building a more inclusive society

Singapore, 18 May 2023 - Supported by UOL Group Limited and organised by non-profit organisation ART:DIS, the launch of UOL X ART:DIS Art Prize 2023 today marks Singapore's first comprehensive art prize that recognises all stages of artistic practice by artists with disabilities.

Held in conjunction with UOL's 60th year and the 30th anniversary of ART:DIS, the biennial competition aims to celebrate the unique perspective of these artists and provide them with a platform to gain public visibility and patronage.

The inaugural art competition invites students from about 20 special education (SPED) schools in Singapore and artists from ART:DIS to submit their works as paintings or digital art.

In addition to promoting the arts, the competition is designed to raise awareness of inclusive arts and encourage Singaporeans to take action to create positive change in their communities.

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UOL Group Chief Executive Liam Wee Sin said: "To UOL, art promotes expression and creativity, and builds communities. UOL X ART:DIS Art Prize 2023 is a powerful expression of our shared commitment to promote inclusivity and diversity in local arts. Artists with disabilities are very talented, but many of them are underrepresented in mainstream art spaces.

"By highlighting their works, this biennial competition creates a platform for artists to share their stories, inspire others, and raise awareness of accessibility and inclusion in the arts."

ART:DIS Executive Director Angela Tan said: "An Art Prize of this scale will help to raise greater public interest and appreciation for art created by artists with disabilities, and support them to reach their fullest potential. We believe that they contribute richly to our cultural diversity, with their art as a bridge to promote empathy and acceptance for those who perceive, experience and communicate with the world in different ways."

The competition will have two main categories: an Open Category for students from SPED schools, and a Closed Category for artists aged 19 and above, who are part of ART:DIS' network of artists.

Shortlisted entries will be showcased at a public exhibition at The Arts House from 5 to 14 August 2023, with the winners announced at an awards ceremony on 4 August 2023.

Across all categories, there will be cash prizes of more than $25,000, access to capacity-building programmes and mentorship, and a chance to stage a solo show. The winners will be selected by a panel of art experts, namely Ms Mae Anderson, Chairman, Art Outreach and Managing Director, Head of Philanthropy Services, Asia, BNP Paribas Wealth Management; Ms Dee Chia, Deputy Director of Audience Engagement, National Gallery of Singapore; Mr John Tung, an independent curator and exhibition-maker; and Ms Adeline Kueh, Senior Lecturer, Lasalle College of the Arts Singapore. Mr Liam Wee Sin, Group Chief Executive, UOL Group Limited, is also on the judging panel.

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Since 1993, ART:DIS has been advancing disability inclusion in Singapore. With 2023 marking the non-profit organisation's 30th year in championing learning and livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities (PwDs) through the arts, the Art Prize is one more step towards a more equitable future, one where the perspectives and voices of PwDs are valued as much as the next person.

Since 2014, UOL has been supporting inclusive arts with ART:DIS through various initiatives, including purchasing their artists' works to put up at its residential showflats and sponsorship of spaces at its retail malls and hotels. They provide an avenue for the artists to showcase and sell their works, and for the community to enjoy art. The Group's first collaboration in 2014 with ART:DIS, formerly known as Very Special Arts Singapore, was the installation of a 200-foot long mural at the pedestrian underpass connecting United Square and Velocity@Novena Square.

Last year, UOL was recognised as the Distinguished Patron of the Arts at the annual Patron of the Arts Awards organised by the National Arts Council, for its contribution to the local arts scene. UOL was also named Champion of Good by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre for the second year in 2022 for its corporate social responsibility efforts.

Interested participants can find more information about the Art Prize, including participation guidelines, at https://www.artdis.org.sg/uolxartdis-artprize2023/.The open call for the competition closes on 7 July 2023.

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About UOL Group Limited

UOL Group Limited (UOL) is a leading Singapore-listed property and hospitality group with total assets of about $22 billion. The Company has a diversified portfolio of development and investment properties, hotels and serviced suites in Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America. With a track record of 60 years, UOL strongly believes in delivering product excellence and quality service in all its business ventures. UOL, through its hotel subsidiary Pan Pacific Hotels Group Limited, owns three acclaimed brands namely "Pan Pacific", PARKROYAL COLLECTION and PARKROYAL. The Company's Singapore-listed property subsidiary, Singapore Land Group Limited, owns an extensive portfolio of prime commercial assets and hotels in Singapore.

About ART:DIS (Singapore) Ltd

Formerly known as Very Special Arts Singapore, ART:DIS is a non-profit organisation established in 1993, championing the learning and livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in and through the arts. We provide a wide range of programmes to enable PwDs to develop their artistic interests, grow their self-confidence and engage them as active members of a supported community, outside of and beyond formal education. Our parallel professional development pathways further allow us to create sustainable & meaningful impact for PwDs to gain work experience, empowering them to live independently in the community.

For media queries, please contact:

Romesh Navaratnarajah

Catherine Ong Associates

Mobile: [phone]

Email:[e-mail]

Sabrina Zhang

Executive, ARTDIS (Singapore) Ltd

Email:[e-mail]

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Appendix

Factsheet on UOL X ART:DIS Art Prize 2023

	● Supported by UOL Group Limited and organised
	by non-profit organisation ART:DIS
Background	● Singapore's first comprehensive art prize that
	recognises all stages of artistic practice by special
	needs artists
	● Celebrate the unique talent of special needs artists
	in Singapore
	● Provide a platform to gain public visibility and
Objective	patronage
	● Promote diversity in the arts and raise awareness
	of social responsibility
	Open Category
	• Open to students from about 20 SPED schools
	o Children aged 6 to 12
	o Youth aged 13 to 18
Eligibility
	Closed Category
	• Open to ART:DIS artists
	o Emerging artists aged 19 to 35
	o Professional artists aged 36 and above
	Open Category
	Children (aged 6 to 12)
	• One Winner: Cash Prize of $1,000 and one year of
	free classes at ART:DIS
Prizes
	• One Highly Commended: Cash Prize of $500
	• Five Merit Prizes: $200 each

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