SPH is Distinguished Patron of the Arts for 22 consecutive years

SINGAPORE - Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, will be honoured with its 22nd Distinguished Patron of the Arts award today for its contribution to the Singapore arts scene.

SPH will be presented with the award by Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister, Ministry of Communications and Information, at the annual Patron of the Arts award ceremony at Suntec Convention Centre this evening.

The Distinguished Patron of the Arts award, conferred by the National Arts Council, is the highest honour accorded to an organisation in support of the arts.

One of the major arts sponsorships by SPH is the popular SPH Gift of Music series, which brings quality music to the masses at the heartlands, shopping malls, campuses and parks. Some of the arts groups which have benefitted from the SPH Gift of Music are Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Singapore Lyric Opera, The Philharmonic Winds, Singapore Wind Symphony and the Esplanade.

UFM100.3, the Chinese station managed by SPH Radio, also clinched the Distinguished Patron of the Arts for their sponsorship of media publicity for Chinese theatre productions by Drama Box and The Theatre Practice.

SPH Foundation received Associate of the Arts for its support of local arts groups. Through its SPH Foundation Arts Fund, it purchased tickets for the underprivileged to enjoy arts productions, and helped these arts groups to reach out to a wider audience.

Some of the arts groups which benefitted from the Arts Fund include Toy Factory, The Theatre Practice, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Wild Rice, ACT 3 International, I Theatre, The Necessary Stage, The Finger Players. SPH Foundation is also a company sponsor of Singapore Repertory Theatre's The Little Company.

omy.sg, Singapore's first bilingual interactive web portal by SPH, was named Arts Supporter for its support of Drama Box and The Theatre Practice. The bilingual website provided editorial and video coverage for their events, as well as advertising space for the two arts groups in the past year.

Ms Ginney Lim, SPH's General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications & CSR, and General Manager of the SPH Foundation, said: "This award is a befitting 30th anniversary gift for us. It is a testament of our commitment in supporting the local arts scene as part of our active corporate citizenry. Through the SPH Foundation Arts Fund, we also create opportunities for the less fortunate in our society to appreciate the beauty of the arts."