New art bursaries and scholarships to empower disabled children and youth in Singapore.
A $1 million donation is set to support children and youth with disabilities in Singapore through the newly renamed Kiat Lim-Shaping Hearts Award (KLSHA), launched on Nov 20, 2024. The award, backed by Mr. Kiat Lim, aims to provide financial assistance for art education, empowering individuals with disabilities to pursue their passion for art.
Purpose of the Fund
The KLSHA was established to provide annual scholarships and bursaries to children and youth with disabilities, including those with mental or physical impairments such as autism, Down syndrome, visual impairments, and deafness. The goal is to make art education more accessible, allowing these young individuals to express themselves through art.
Types of Awards
The award consists of three categories:
Shining Award ($5,000): For individuals with a strong foundation in art, aiming to develop professional skills.
Encouraging Award ($2,000): For those who use art to enhance communication, social, and motor skills.
Budding Award ($1,000): A new category for children under seven, focusing on early intervention and skill development.
Impact on the Community
The program will benefit up to 110 recipients annually, offering 10 scholarships and 100 bursaries. The awards are part of the Shaping Hearts festival, which includes an art exhibition where artworks by people with disabilities are displayed and sold to the public.
Mr. Desmond Choo, Mayor of North East District, highlighted the importance of art as a universal language that can connect people and provide a form of income for individuals with special needs.
Application Details
Applications are open until Jan 31, 2025. To be eligible, applicants must be Singapore citizens or permanent residents, participants in the Shaping Hearts program, or residents of the North East district. The award is aimed at families with low to moderate incomes.
Madam Elise Ng, a mother of an artistically talented son with intellectual disabilities, expressed her gratitude for the support that the award offers, helping to cover the costs of art classes for her son, Gary Chong.
