PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
MEDIA RELEASE
ISTANA OPEN HOUSE ON SUNDAY, 5 AUGUST 2007
Come Celebrate the Nation’s Birthday at the Istana and Participate in the Istana Art Event
The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Sunday, 5 August 2007 from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm, to celebrate the National Day. This Open House in August incorporates the annual Istana Art Event.
The Istana Art Event 2007
2 The Istana Art Event, which is in its seventh year, includes an on-the-spot art competition. Registration for the competition will take place from 7.00 am to 9.00 am, and entries are to be submitted by 11.00 am. President Nathan will present prizes to the winners.
3 There will also be a pavilion showcasing postcards sent by children from the 10 ASEAN countries in the “Postcards Across ASEAN” project organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Singapore Art Museum to celebrate ASEAN’s 40th anniversary. In addition, visitors could participate in the many art and heritage activities organized by the various museums throughout the day. Please see Singapore Art Museum’s earlier press release at Annex for more details.
Other Highlights
4 In line with the theme of this year’s National Day celebrations, the SAF Music and Drama Company will be putting up a performance titled, “Celebrate Singapore, A City of Possibilities”. Visitors will also be entertained by the bands from Swiss Cottage Secondary School, Yuhua Primary School and Deyi Secondary School. Victor Khoo and his puppet Charlee will also put in an appearance.
5 Visitors can tour the Istana Building to view the staterooms as well as a display of selected gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister by foreign dignitaries.
Admission Details
6 Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents, and $1 for others. The Istana Building will also be open to the public for an entrance fee of $2. Sale of tickets to tour the staterooms closes at 5.30 pm.
Contribution to Charity
7 ComChest will be selling Istana souvenirs at their booths in the grounds. All entrance fees collected and proceeds from sale of Istana merchandise will be donated to the President’s Challenge.
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For more information on the Istana, please visit: www.istana.gov.sg
For registration and enquiries on the Istana Art Event 2007, please e-mail nhb_sam_programs@nhb.gov.sg, call 63323220 or log on to www.singart.com
1 August 2007
[There will be no Changing of Guards Ceremony on Sunday, 5 August 2007]
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ANNEX
Singapore Art Museum Proudly Presents
ISTANA ART EVENT
Enjoy a Fun-Filled Day at The Istana
Sunday, 5 August 2007, 7.00 am – 5.00 pm
In conjunction with the Istana’s National Day Open House
CELEBRATE THE NATION’S 42nd BIRTHDAY WITH ART & HERITAGE ACTIVITIES
FEATURING ON-THE-SPOT ART COMPETITION, PAVILION showcasing Postcards Across ASEAN,
a project to mark ASEAN’s 40th Year
Join in the fun this year at the Istana Art Event 2007, and celebrate the Nation’s 42nd Year of Independence by participating in an On-The-Spot art competition, which is open to all age groups. You might walk away with one of the many attractive cash prizes! Look out for all the fun-filled art and heritage events contributed by National Heritage Board Museums which have been designed for kids and families. All activities on site are free of charge. McDonald’s snack packs will be given to the first 2000 registered participants upon submission of completed art entries. There will also be music performances for all to enjoy. A design pavilion installed by Architecture First Year students from National University of Singapore will be set up amidst the lush and beautiful grounds of the Istana.
“Postcards Across ASEAN “was a project co-organised by Singapore Art Museum and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mark ASEAN’s 40th Year. A total of 35,000 pre-paid postcards from the 10 ASEAN member countries have been received. Visitors will get a chance to enjoy the pavilion and view the drawings and messages by children aged 6-12 years from different cultural backgrounds. Look out for the 3 top winning entries as well as 10 merit winning entries from ASEAN. Everyone can contribute to the friendship and goodwill between friends within ASEAN nations by doing an on-the spot activity. Come and be a friend of ASEAN!
Top Three Winners
1st : Long Bo Vireak Thun, Cambodia, 12 years old
2nd : Slavian Oktabri Delastyanto, Indonesia, 12 years old
3rd : Sippapas Kaewthamai, Thailand, 6 years old
Merit Prize Winners
Dk. Nur Hidayah binti Pg. Sulaiman, Brunei, 10 years old
Ly Kim Teing, Cambodia, 8 years old
Talitha Sahsabih, Indonesia, 9 years old
Ms Napaphon, Laos, 9 years old
Nur Hidayatie Azura Bt. Roslizan, Malaysia, 12 years old
Ma Su Nandar Zaw Win, Myanmar, 10 years old
Antone Dominic B. Bermas, Philippines, 11 years old
Cheong Weisi, Singapore, 12 years old
Unya Kaewthamai, Thailand, 9 years old
Dao Thi Quynh Nga, Vietnam, 12 years old
Zones of Contact is an architectural design pavilion by first year architectural students of the National University of Singapore. It was designed with a view to the connectivity and spirit of cooperation that marks ASEAN as an organization. The various coloured zones mirror the proximity of ASEAN nations, as neighbouring countries, sharing borders, interests and mooting friendship through various connections. It is hoped that visitors navigating the spaces will be encouraged to understand this by experience and adding to the messaging started by the 35,000 postcard returns. This is only the second time an artistic installation has been erected at the Istana.
On-The-Spot Art Competition
Into its 7th year, this competition attracts children and individuals of all ages. Prizewinners receive their awards from President S R Nathan, who also reviews the exhibition of winning entries. This year’s theme is: Celebrating National Day. Win cash prizes for your creative effort!
ART AND HERITAGE ACTIVITIES
Explore art and heritage with activities ranging from mask and flower making, stamp activities, quizzes and games as well as the Amazing Syonan Race. All activities are courtesy of Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore Philatelic Museum, National Archives of Singapore and Singapore Art Museum.
Organised by SAM and supported by People's Association, the Istana Art Event is a public outreach initiative to families and schools. The lush Istana grounds provide an idyllic setting for artistic pursuits with musical performances and fun family activities. A major national arts outreach event in its sixth year, the Istana Art Event had attracted over 20,000 visitors to the Istana last year, one of the largest to be recorded for Istana’s Open House Days.
So make time to join us at the Istana this Sunday, 5 August 2007! Full programme details are appended. For general enquiries, please email nhb_sam_programs@nhb.gov.sg, call 6332 3220 or log on to www.singart.com.
Supported by People’s Association
Sponsorship of refreshments for participants by McDonald’s Singapore
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Programme
On-The-Spot Art Competition
7.00 am - 9.00 am : Registration for participants of On-The-Spot Art Competition
9.00 am -11.00 am : Submission of Art Competition entries
10.00 am - 5.00 pm : Activities by National Heritage Board Museums
12 noon : Announcement of winners of the art competition at Main Tent and Villa
1.15 pm : Prize presentation ceremony by President S R Nathan
2.00 pm - 5.00 pm : Exhibition of winning entries at Main tent
Event information
President S R Nathan will present certificates and prizes to winners of the Istana Art Event On-The-Spot art competition. Please find details below:
On The Spot Art Competition Categories and Prizes (Age as at 31 January 2007)
Ages 8* and below:
1st Prize $300
2nd Prize $200
3rd Prize $100
Merit Award $50 x 6
Ages 9 – 16*:
1st Prize $400
2nd Prize $300
3rd Prize $200
Merit Award $50 x 6
Open category
1st Prize $300
2nd Prize $200
3rd Prize $100
* Age at 31st January 2007
Note from the Organisers:
Please note that the judges’ decision is final. Organisers reserve the right not to award prizes if submitted works are not up to standard.
All winners must be present at the prize-giving ceremony to qualify for their prize. All unclaimed prizes at the end of the ceremony will be forfeited.
Selected works will be displayed at the Istana during the Istana Art Event, 5th August 2007, and will remain the property of Istana for reproduction purpose. All artists selected for this purpose will be informed with a letter from the Istana as well as be gifted with a souvenir.
Registration for On the Spot Art Competition
NHB Official Art Block will be provided and accepted as entries. Participants are to bring their choice of colouring mediums. Schools and organisations may request to pre-register by contacting santha_anthony@nhb.gov.sg
Visitor Information to Istana Art Event
Admission hours will be from 7am to 5pm. Istana Open House programme continues till 6pm.
Entry to the Istana grounds will be free for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents, and S$1 for others. Entrance to grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road.
Tickets for entry into the Istana Main Building are at $2 each (complimentary for all art participants). All entry admissions charged support Presidents’ Challenge
Please note that all times shown are indicative and may be subject to change.
For media interviews, images and further information contact:
Pabble Ang Mobile: 96313525
Manager, Marcoms Tel: 6332 3217
Singapore Art Museum Email: pabble_ang@nhb.gov.sg