ART SG announces the SAM ART SG Fund: a new benefactor-led fund supporting annual acquisitions for the Singapore Art Museum’s permanent collection of international and Southeast Asian contemporary art.
Launching the third edition of ART SG in 2025, the SAM ART SG Fund will allocate SGD $150,000 for acquiring artworks by leading and emerging artists at the international art fair. These acquisitions will become part of SAM’s permanent collection, reinforcing the museum’s role as a node for contemporary art and contributing to a culture of philanthropy within Singapore. The Fund is made possible through the generous contributions of arts patrons Carmen Yixuan Li, Pure Yichun Chen, and other anonymous donors, with advisory support from Zong Han, Cultural Strategist, and Shuyin Yang, Fair Director ART SG.
This initiative reflects a strong commitment to enhancing the museum’s international collection while fostering meaningful and enduring partnerships between its founding patrons, the Singapore Art Museum, and ART SG. It also represents a significant contribution to the growth and vibrancy of Singapore’s arts ecosystem.
Recurring annually for an initial commitment period of three years, the Fund will support SAM’s acquisition of significant artworks at each edition of ART SG. Following their acquisition, artworks will be made available for public viewing through SAM’s exhibition programming. This dedicated effort highlights the commitment of participating donors and all involved parties to fostering visual arts education and expanding public access to art in Singapore.
Country Head UBS Singapore; Magnus Renfrew, Co-Founder, ART SG; and Shuyin Yang,
Fair Director, ART SG next to ‘Untitled, ST DD23’ by Mit Jai Inn.
Image courtesy of UBS Singapore.
Eugene Tan, CEO and Director, Singapore Art Museum, said: “This initiative will grow the breadth of SAM’s collection and strengthen our commitment to collecting works by international artists that engage meaningfully with global and regional discourses. We thank our patrons and partners for supporting the growth of our collection to benefit our audiences.”
Shuyin Yang, Fair Director, ART SG, added: “We are honoured to realise the SAM ART SG Fund launching at the third edition of ART SG, through the generous support of our patrons. This initiative will significantly broaden the fair’s impact within Singapore’s art and culture landscape, fostering connections between artists, galleries and institutions, and supporting the expansion of Singapore Art Museum’s collection of international art, alongside its world-class Southeast Asian permanent collection.”
Magnus Renfrew, Co-Founder, ART SG, said: “The inauguration of the SAM ART SG Fund is an important indicator of Singapore’s increasing importance as a cultural hub within Asia Pacific. ART SG is thrilled to see this ambitious project come to fruition, and eagerly support its role in bolstering the local ecosystem and create a legacy for generations to come.”
The third edition of ART SG, presented by Founding and Lead Partner UBS will be held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore, from 17 to 19 January 2025 (VIP Preview and Vernissage 16 January).
