New Gift of Art programme To Allow Contributions from
Organisations and Individuals

        To add more vibrancy and to create a more enjoyable commuting experience, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has launched a new Gift of Art programme which allows organisations and individuals to donate an existing artwork or sponsor a commissioned artwork for display at the public areas of MRT stations.

2.      Minister for Transport S Iswaran unveiled the inaugural donation under the new programme today at the upcoming Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) Shenton Way station. These art pieces include a set of three ‘Bo-Men’ sculptures created by artist Daisy Boman which were donated by port and supply chain group PSA International. The sculptures reflect the purposeful energy of workers commuting to and from the Central Business District. PSA International also donated another set of three ‘Bo-Men’ sculptures which will be placed at Pasir Panjang station, a location which serves the PSA headquarters, PSA Horizons. 

3.      The inaugural donations also include two bronze sculptures of endangered animals – a baby Indian elephant and a baby black rhinoceros – donated by Keppel Corporation for display at Circle Line Keppel station. These sculptures are part of a 62-piece creation by Australian artists Gillie and Marc to raise awareness on biodiversity, conservation and sustainability.

4.      Victoria School and Victoria School Alumni Association are also developing a proposal to bring students and alumni together to create various artworks for TEL Siglap MRT Station under the Gift of Art programme.

5.      In addition, CapitaLand Group and Far East Organisation have expressed interest in donating to the programme.

6.      LTA’s new Gift of Art programme complements our existing Art in Transit programme which has been introducing integrated artworks in the MRT stations since the opening of the North East Line. Under the Art in Transit Programme, commissioned local artists are encouraged to create art pieces inspired by the cultural and historical origins of the stations’ immediate vicinity to reflect the area’s distinct identity and to foster greater community affinity for the stations.

7.      For the Gift of Art programme, LTA will work with potential donors to select and place donated art pieces which are relatable, accessible and relevant to the locations where they will be placed. The donated artworks will help to further shape the identity of the selected stations and create new possibilities for placemaking, wayfinding and identity-building. The donations can be in the form of actual   artworks or cash, which will be used specifically for the purpose of purchasing or commissioning artworks. The following guiding principles will be applied when assessing donations:

• Compatibility: The artworks must be suitable and sufficiently durable to be placed in an MRT stations’ environment. The placement of the artwork should also meet safety, security, and structural requirements.
  
  
• Care: Artworks should require little or no maintenance. The physical condition of the artwork will also be taken into consideration.
  
  
• Content: Relevance or significance to station and/or national context.
   

8.      Organisations and individuals who are interested to participate in the Gift of Art programme may reach out to LTA at LTA-GoA@lta.gov.sg.