The year 1938 bears special significance to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). Specifically on 10 March 1938, a handful of 14 students commenced lessons at the then Nanyang Fine Arts College (now known as NAFA), Singapore’s first arts institution. Mr Lim Hak Tai was appointed as Principal by the School Management Committee and he had just three teachers who taught western art, sculpture and applied arts.

Today, NAFA is a pre-eminent arts institution in Singapore, playing a key role in identifying, training and grooming many of Singapore’s successful designers and performing artists. NAFA currently operates eight departments offering a staple of 14 full-time Diploma and 18 Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree programmes to over 2,000 students from diverse nationalities and ethnic backgrounds. NAFA’s School of Young Talents (SYT) offers Certificate and on-going courses in art, music, dance and drama for children and young people between 4 and 17 years of age.