Announcement

Healing Arts Singapore Launched

Michael Tan Koon Boon

As Asia’s first national-level arts and health initiative, Healing Arts Singapore (HASG) aims to embed the arts within systems of care, advancing evidence-based and scalable interventions to improve wellbeing across Singapore and the wider Western Pacific region.

The initiative took place from 8-12 December 2025, featuring academic symposia, policy meetings, capacity-building workshops, artist commissions, and the appointment of Asia’s first Healing Arts Centre of Excellence.

Healing Arts Singapore (HASG) is a multi-year initiative co-led by the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Centre for Music and Health at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), and the Jameel Arts & Health Lab. It is part of the Lab’s global Healing Arts campaign produced in collaboration with the World Health Organization.

Media Mentions

  1. Straits Times, 8 Dec 2025, National Gallery Singapore is Asia’s first Healing Arts Centre of Excellence https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/national-gallery-singapore-is-asias-first-healing-arts-centre-of-excellence
  2. Channel News Asia, (8 Dec 2025, 10pm, Singapore Tonight), National Gallery Singapore accredited as Healing Arts Centre of Excellence https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/national-gallery-singapore-worlds-first-museum-healing-arts-centre-excellence-5569976
  3. Minister of State Mr Baey Yam Keng’s  Instagram post (8 Dec 2025)
    https://www.instagram.com/p/DSCBBW5En7U/?img_index=4&igsh=eHNvdmEzejA1bXJm
  4. NUS Press Release – Healing Arts Singapore – NUS; NAFA, UAS; and Jameel Arts & Health Lab launch Asia’s first national arts and health initiative in collaboration with WHO (8 Dec 2025)
    https://news.nus.edu.sg/healing-arts-singapore–nus-nafa-uas-and-jameel-arts–health-lab-launch-asias-first-national-arts-and-health-initiative-in-collaboration-with-who/
  5. World Health Organisation (Europe Office) Healing Arts Singapore: Asia’s first national arts and health week (8 Dec 2025)
    https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/events/item/2025/12/08/default-calendar/healing-arts-singapore–asia-s-first-national-arts-and-health-week
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Published by Michael Tan Koon Boon

Michael Tan’s research lies at the intersection of Art, Health and Wellbeing. As a leading advocate for arts and health development in Singapore, he has been active in promoting awareness for arts and health among stakeholders in the fields of arts, health and social care. He has developed and conducted art–health programs in various care settings in Singapore, such as the Singapore General Hospital, The National University Hospital and the Singapore Parkinson’s society. In recent years, Michael has broadened the scope of his practice to examine the role and benefit of art engagement in eldercare. In 2012, Michael partnered with the Agency for Integrated Care to investigate the benefits of art engagement for residents in a local nursing home. He was recently engaged by the Alzheimer’s Disease Associate of Singapore to develop an integrated art making and museum visit program for its members. He also serves as a member of the art advisory committee in the new Ng Teng Fong Hospital. Michael holds a PhD in Arts and Health from Durham University, a Masters in Photography & Urban Cultures from Goldsmith College, University of London, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is also the recipient of the Singapore National Arts Council Post Graduate Scholarship (2012) and was awarded the Nanyang Award for Excellence in Teaching by NTU in 2011.

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