From Left: SCCCA (Individual) 2024 recipient Mdm Yan Choong Lian, and SCCCA (Organisation) 2024 recipient Nine Years Theatre, Co-Founder and Artistic Director Nelson Chia and Co-Founder and Company Director Mia Chee
SINGAPORE, 8 May 2024 – Founder and Artistic Director of Dance Ensemble Singapore (DES), Mdm Yan Choong Lian and Singapore Mandarin theatre company, Nine Years Theatre, are the recipients of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award (SCCCA) 2024.
Guest-of-Honour Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth & Trade and Industry presented the prestigious award at the opening ceremony of Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s (SCCC) annual signature festival Cultural Extravaganza earlier this evening.
The SCCCA recognises individuals and organisations that have showcased significant contributions to preserving and promoting Chinese culture in Singapore.
SCCCA 2024 received a total of 33 nominations – 21 individual submissions and 12 organisations respectively. This year, there were 20 first-time submissions, constituting 60% of the total entries received, which is the highest of all time indicating a significant rise in new participants.
Recipients of SCCCA will receive a trophy and S$10,000 cash prize, along with additional funding for their projects. Individual recipients will receive up to S$10,000 in project funding, while organisation recipients will get up to S$20,000 in project funding.
Past recipients of this award include Mr Goh Boon Teck, Dr Tay Yeow Kiat, Dr Liang Wern Fook, Mr Kua Bak Lim, Mr Lee Yuk Chuan, and Mr Han Lao Da for the Individual category; and Nam Hwa Opera, Young People’s Performing Arts Ensemble, The Theatre Practice, Ding Yi Music Company, Singapore Association of Writers, and Siong Leng Musical Association under the Organisation category.
The judging panel is led by Mr Lim Jim Koon and comprises distinguished individuals from the local cultural scene including, Special Advisor Professor Eddie Kuo Chen Yu, Mr Low Eng Teong, Ms Woo Mun Ngan, Ms Quek Yeng Yeng, Mr Teo Han Wue and Mr Choo Thiam Siew.
Each round of the SCCCA begins with a nomination process about a year ahead. The nominees will each go through a shortlisting and evaluation process by a panel of judges and recommended to the SCCC board of directors for final approval.
Nominations for the SCCCA 2025 are now open till 30 September 2024, 5pm. Members of the public may nominate deserving candidates for the Award. The category criteria (Individual and Organisation) can be found on the SCCCA website here.
