Cultural Medallion Explained

Cultural Medallion
Awarded For:Individual's distinctive contributions to the development of Singapore's cultural landscape
Presenter:President of Singapore
Country:Singapore
Date:–present
Reward:SGD $80,000
Sponsor:National Arts Council

The Cultural Medallion (ms|Pingat Budaya[1]) is a cultural award in Singapore conferred to those who have achieved artistic excellence in dance, theatre, literature, music, photography, art and film. It is widely recognized as Singapore's pinnacle arts award.

History

The award was instituted in March 1979 by Minister for Culture Ong Teng Cheong and administered by the National Arts Council. The awards was given by the Minister for Culture.

Since 2006, the award was presented by the President of Singapore instead of the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (previously known as Minister for Culture). On 20 October Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Lee Boon Yang announced that project grant for the award is revised to S$80,000 upwards from S$50,000, giving recipients better opportunities to create major works.[2]

From 2013, in an effort to recognise multi-disciplinary artists, it was announced that recipients of the Cultural Medallion and Young Artist Award will no longer be categorised according to art forms.[3]

List of Cultural Medallion recipients

YearCategoryNameRef
1979DanceMadhavi Krishnan[4]
TheatreBani Bin Buang
MusicChoo Hoey
David Lim Kim San
LiteratureEdwin Nadason Thumboo
ArtWee Beng Chong
1981DanceGoh Soo Khim[5]
TheatreJoanna Wong Quee Heng[6]
MusicAhmad bin Ja'afar
LiteratureWong Meng Voon
ArtLee Hock Moh
Ng Eng Teng
1982TheatreLin Chen[7]
MusicLeong Yoon Pin
LiteratureGoh Poh Seng[8]
PhotographyDavid Tay Poey Cher
Art Georgette Chen Liying
1983TheatreChristopher Henry Rothwell Allen[9]
MusicVivien Goh
Literature Arthur Yap
Photography Ang Chwee Chai
1984Theatre S. Varathan[10]
MusicKam Kee Yong
Photography Yip Cheong Fun
Art Thomas Yeo
1985Theatre Low Ing Sing[11]
Literature Lee Tzu Pheng
Photography Tan Lip Seng
Art Tay Chee Toh
1986DanceGoh Choo San
TheatreAlmahdi Al-Haj Ibrahim[12]
N Palanivelu
MusicPaul Abisheganaden
Literature Wong Yoon Wah
Art Pan Shou
Teo Eng Seng
1987DanceSom Said[13]
Theatre Max Le Blond[14]
Music Teng Mah Seng
Literature Muhammed Ariff bin Ahmad
Photography Lee Lim
Art Tan Swie Hian
1988DanceLim Fei Shen[15]
Theatre Tay Bin Wee
MusicAlexander S. Abisheganaden
Literature Singai Mukilan (N Abdul Rahman)
Photography Chua Soo Bin
Art Iskandar Jalil[16]
1989DanceNeila Sathyalingam[17]
Theatre Kuo Pao Kun
Photography Foo Tee Jun
Art Goh Beng Kwan[18]
1990DanceSantha Bhaskar
Theatre Han Lao Da[19]
Music Lim Yau
Literature Chew Kok Chang
Photography Peng Seng Wu
Art Anthony Poon
Ong Kim Seng
1992DanceYing E Ding[20]
Theatre Phan Wait Hong
Music Choo Hwee Lim
Art Wang Sui Pick
1993Music Tay Teow Kiat[21]
1995DanceGoh Lay Kuan[22]
Art Han Sai Por
1996MusicPhoon Yew Tien[23]
LiteratureLew Poo Chan (Dan Ying)
1997Theatre Lou Mee Wah
Literature Ho Minfong
1998Literature Rama Kannabiran[24]
1999Literature Abdul Ghani Hamid[25]
Art Chua Ek Kay
2000Art Tan Siah Kwee
2001ArtTan Kian Por[26]
Music Yan Hui Chang[27]
2002MusicJeremy Monteiro[28]
2003ArtLim Tze Peng[29]
Theatre Ong Keng Sen[30]
LiteratureYeng Pway Ngon[31]
2004Photography Teo Bee Yen[32]
2005FilmJack Neo
Literature M. Balakrishnan (MA. Ilangkannan)[33]
Music Dick Lee[34]
Visual Arts Chng Seok Tin[35]
Lee Wen[36]
2006ArtTan Choh Tee[37]
MusicLynnette Seah[38]
2007FilmEric Khoo
Literature Isa Kamari[39]
2008LiteratureChia Hwee Pheng[40]
P. Krishnan[41]
MusicIskandar Mirza Ismail[42]
2009DanceAngela Liong[43]
Literary ArtsTham Yew Chin
MusicLan Shui
Visual ArtsAng Ah Tee
2010MusicLiang Wern Fook[44]
Literary ArtsSuratman Markasan
Visual ArtsAmanda Heng[45]
2011MusicKelly Tang[46]
Visual ArtsLim Yew Kuan
TheatreAtin Amat
MusicYusnor Ef
2012Literary ArtsJ.M. Sali[47]
MusicJennifer Tham
TheatreThirunalan Sasitharan
Visual ArtsHo Ho Ying
Milenko Prvacki
2013TheatreIvan Heng[48]
Literary ArtsMohamed Latiff Mohamed
MusicTsung Yeh
2014TheatreAlvin Tan[49]
Visual ArtsChong Fah Cheong
Literary ArtsK. T. M. Iqbal
2015Visual ArtsChua Mia Tee[50]
TheatreHaresh Sharma
Literary ArtsLim Hung Chang (Lin Gao)
MusicMargaret Leng Tan
2016Visual ArtsKoh Mun Hong[51]
MusicAsiah Aman (Nona Asiah)
2017TheatreDjamal Tukimin[52]
MusicLaw Wai Lun
2018MusicLouis Soliano[53]
DanceLow Mei Yoke[54]
2019MusicEric James Watson[55]
2020Visual ArtsSarkasi Said[56]
Vincent Leow[57]
2021Literary ArtsChia Joo Ming[58]
MusicRahimah Rahim[59]
2022DanceAravinth Kumarasamy[60]
TheatreKok Heng Leun[61]
2023Literary ArtsSuchen Christine Lim[62]
DanceOsman Abdul Hamid[63]
Literary ArtsMeira Chand[64] [65]

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Kisah Pingat Budaya Kami. 2023. Arts House Limited. ms.
  2. Clara Chow, "SSO co-leader, versatile artist get highest award for the arts", The Straits Times, 21 October 2006
  3. Web site: Cultural Medallion & Young Artist Award Winners. National Arts Council. National Arts Council. 2 September 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140903112331/https://www.nac.gov.sg/docs/cmyaa/past-recipients_2014.pdf. 3 September 2014.
  4. News: Tan . Corrie . Lijie . Huang . 16 October 2014 . 10 things to know about Singapore's Cultural Medallion . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  5. News: 6 September 1981 . Six artistes to get cultural awards at Istana . 7 April 2024 . . 11 . NewspaperSG.
  6. News: 10 October 1997 . Opera of women warriors . 7 April 2024 . . 22 . NewspaperSG.
  7. News: 30 October 1982 . Honoured for spending half a life-time in the arts . 7 April 2024 . . 1 . NewspaperSG.
  8. Web site: 24 August 2009 . Poet in 'exile' makes peace with homeland . https://web.archive.org/web/20090824210049/https://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20090810-160144.html . 21 December 2022. 24 August 2009 .
  9. News: 10 November 1983 . Honours to four Patrons of the Arts . 7 April 2024 . . 1 . NewspaperSG.
  10. News: Kulatissa . Susanna . 30 October 1984 . Four make it to the ranks of 'gifted few' . 7 April 2024 . . 1 . NewspaperSG.
  11. News: Cheah . Phillip . 31 January 1986 . 4 honoured for part in enriching S'pore culture . 7 April 2024 . . 48 . NewspaperSG.
  12. News: Hoe . Irene . 11 February 1987 . Magnificent Seven of the Arts win praises . 7 April 2024 . . 24 . NewspaperSG.
  13. News: 5 December 2023 . Cultural Medallion accolade for authors Suchen Christine Lim and Meira Chand, and dancer Osman Abdul Hamid . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  14. News: Koh . Jennifer . 14 January 1988 . Nation's tribute to six artists . 7 April 2024 . . 19 . NewspaperSG.
  15. News: Tang . K. F. . 1 March 1989 . Top artistes relax to get their ideas . 7 April 2024 . . 1 . NewspaperSG.
  16. News: Toh . Wen Li . 26 November 2018 . What artworks reside in the homes of Singapore artists? . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  17. News: Lee . Steven . 3 May 1990 . Winners, all . 7 April 2024 . . 1 . NewspaperSG.
  18. News: Toh . Wen Li . 28 September 2020 . Shaping Visions: STPI exhibition spotlights works by five Cultural Medallion artists . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  19. News: 26 March 1991 . SEVEN SILVER PIECES . 7 April 2024 . . 4 . NewspaperSG.
  20. News: Tan . Hsueh Yun . 14 July 1993 . Four to get Cultural Medallion; Young Artist Award introduced . 7 April 2024 . . 3 . NewspaperSG.
  21. News: 3 September 1994 . Conductor wins Medallion . 7 April 2024 . . 5 . NewspaperSG.
  22. News: 1 September 1995 . Top Cultural Medallion Awards go to two women . 7 April 2024 . . 1 . NewspaperSG.
  23. News: 31 August 1996 . Poet and composer's shining hour . 7 April 2024 . . 2 . NewspaperSG.
  24. News: 19 September 1998 . Writing kills LONELINESS . 7 April 2024 . . 1 . NewspaperSG.
  25. News: 14 April 2014 . Goodbye to Malay writer, poet and artist Abdul Ghani Abdul Hamid . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  26. News: Leong . Weng Kam . 28 January 2015 . Cultural Medallion winner finds colourful canvas in Kluang stones . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  27. News: Chang . Tou Liang . 7 September 2014 . Concert review: An Evening with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra - MoonFest 2014 . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  28. Web site: Chng . Henedick . 5 October 2016 . We bet you actually know at least one of Singapore's past Cultural Medallion winners without googling it . 7 April 2024 . mothership.sg . en.
  29. Web site: Martin . Mayo . 12 July 2018 . CNA Lifestyle Experiences: At 98, Singapore's oldest living artist continues to be obsessed with art . 7 April 2024 . CNA . en.
  30. News: 26 April 2004 . SANDAKAN THRENODY Theatre Works . 7 April 2024 . . 19 . NewspaperSG.
  31. News: 24 September 2012 . AFTER WORDS: YENG PWAY NGON . 7 April 2024 . . 36 . NewspaperSG.
  32. News: Ho . Hwei An . 22 October 2004 . Teo a worthy award-winner . 7 April 2024 . . 28 . NewspaperSG.
  33. News: 22 October 2005 . Eclectic artistes win Cultural Medallions . 7 April 2024 . . 9 . NewspaperSG.
  34. News: Wee . Desmond . 22 October 2005 . Jack Neo, Dick Lee win top arts honour . 1 . The Straits Times.
  35. News: Ho . Olivia . Fern . Ong Sor . 6 September 2019 . Cultural Medallion recipient Chng Seok Tin dies aged 73 . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  36. News: Toh . Wen Li . 3 March 2019 . Lee Wen, pioneer of performance art in Singapore, dies at 61 . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  37. News: Chin . Soo Fang . 20 April 2022 . Artist Tan Choh Tee turns to still life painting in the pandemic . 7 April 2024 . . en . 0585-3923.
  38. News: Chang . Tou Liang . 4 June 2023 . Concert review: Celebration of Asian music ends on high note with violinist Lynnette Seah and conductor Yeh Tsung . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  39. News: Toh . Wen Li . 13 August 2022 . Book review: Isa Kamari's short stories will inspire readers to do some soul-searching . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  40. News: 18 October 2008 . Medallion for top cultural trio . 7 April 2024 . . 3 . NewspaperSG.
  41. News: 18 October 2008 . He just can't stop writing . 7 April 2024 . . 80 . NewspaperSG.
  42. News: Quek . Eunice . 1 November 2014 . A great loss: Iskandar Ismail fondly remembered as a good-natured legend of the music scene . 7 April 2024 . . en . 0585-3923.
  43. News: 17 October 2009 . WINNERS ALL: . 7 April 2024 . . 1 . NewspaperSG.
  44. Web site: 12 October 2010 . 2010 ARTS AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101221091755/http://www.nac.gov.sg/new/new02a.asp?id=443&y=2010 . 21 December 2010 . 13 October 2010.
  45. Web site: The Singapore Art Museum wants photos of women's bums for an art project . 15 December 2022 . CNA . en.
  46. Web site: 18 November 2011 . Four individuals awarded Cultural Medallion . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111119153700/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1166304/1/.html . 19 November 2011 . 14 May 2012.
  47. Web site: Cultural Medallion & Young Artist Award Winners . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140903112331/https://www.nac.gov.sg/docs/cmyaa/past-recipients_2014.pdf . 3 September 2014 . 2 September 2014 . National Arts Council . National Arts Council.
  48. News: Martin . Mayo . 22 October 2013 . Cultural Medallion, Young Artist Award recipients announced . MediaCorp . TODAY . live . 2 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131025011814/http://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/arts/cultural-medallion-young-artist-award-recipients-announced . 25 October 2013.
  49. News: Chia . Alice . 15 October 2014 . Cultural Medallion winners: A poet, a sculptor and a theatre director . MediaCorp Pte Ltd . Channel NewsAsia . dead . 15 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141017130248/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/cultural-medallion/1415892.html . 17 October 2014.
  50. News: 16 October 2015 . 4 awarded Cultural Medallion . MediaCorp Pte Ltd . Channel NewsAsia . dead . 27 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151017140549/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/4-awarded-cultural/2197836.html . 17 October 2015.
  51. News: Huang . Lijie . 3 October 2016 . Artist Koh Mun Hong and singer Nona Asiah receive Cultural Medallion award . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  52. News: Ho . Olivia . 24 October 2017 . Writer Djamal Tukimin and composer Law Wai Lun awarded Cultural Medallions . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  53. News: 23 October 2018 . In Pictures: Cultural Medallion recipient Louis Soliano's life in music . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  54. News: Nanda . Akshita . 23 October 2018 . Cultural Medallion recipient: Overcoming the odds for her love of dance . 7 April 2024 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  55. Web site: Ong . Sor Fern . 15 October 2019 . A Westerner with interest in South-east Asian music . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191015052926/https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/a-westerner-with-interest-in-south-east-asian-music . 15 October 2019 . 15 October 2019 . The Straits Times . Singapore Press Holdings . en.
  56. News: Ong . Sor Fern . 10 December 2020 . Cultural Medallion 2020: For Sarkasi Said, 80, batik is a life passion . . 18 July 2022.
  57. News: Ong . Sor Fern . 10 December 2020 . Cultural Medallion 2020: Vincent Leow wants his art to trigger conversations . . 18 July 2022.
  58. News: Toh . Wen Li . 24 November 2021 . Cultural Medallion: Novelist Chia Joo Ming is champion of Chinese literary scene . . 18 July 2022.
  59. News: Ong . Sor Fern . 24 November 2021 . Cultural Medallion: Rahimah Rahim has been entertaining since age six . . 18 July 2022.
  60. Web site: cue . 5 December 2022 . Indian dance, theatre veterans get Cultural Medallion The Straits Times . 6 December 2022 . www.straitstimes.com . en.
  61. News: Yong . Clement . 5 December 2022 . Cultural Medallion: Kok Heng Leun takes theatre outside the box to the community . en . The Straits Times . 21 December 2023 . 0585-3923.
  62. News: Correspondent . Ong Sor FernSenior Culture . 5 December 2023 . Cultural Medallion: Author Suchen Christine Lim still suffers from imposter syndrome . en . The Straits Times . 21 December 2023 . 0585-3923.
  63. News: Hoo . Shawn . 5 December 2023 . Cultural Medallion: Osman Abdul Hamid chose Malay dance over professional football . en . The Straits Times . 21 December 2023 . 0585-3923.
  64. News: Correspondent . Ong Sor FernSenior Culture . 5 December 2023 . Cultural Medallion: Writing is an ‘act of survival’ for Meira Chand . en . The Straits Times . 21 December 2023 . 0585-3923.
  65. Web site: 6 December 2023 . Novelist Meira Chand Receives Singapore's Cultural Medallion - Asian News from UK . 21 December 2023 . en-US.

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