National Library Creative Residency Fellowship 2024 in Singapore (Fully funded)

The National Library Creative Residency invites creatives from different artistic disciplines to draw inspiration from the collections of the National Library, Singapore and the National Archives of Singapore.

We are keen to collaborate with creatives who employ innovative and imaginative methods to conceptualise new works inspired by the digital and physical collections from the National Library, Singapore (NLS) and the National Archives of Singapore (NAS).

Residents are encouraged to reimagine or reinterpret the collections in ways that provide fresh perspectives and make them more engaging to a wider community of users. The Residents are required to share their concepts, and this could take the form of videos, publications, literary works, artworks, musical compositions, or more. Such sharing helps to enhance or reshape public discovery, exploration, and engagement with our collections and content. 

We are on the lookout for projects that make effective and meaningful use of our collections. Applicants are to propose and employ suitable methods to conceptualise new creative works inspired by the collections. The themes include but are not limited to the following:

• Social history of Singapore through photographs, oral histories, and other relevant collections;
• Singapore’s visual culture in design and everyday life;
• Stories and narratives from Singapore literature.

• Table of Content
• About National Library Board Singapore
• NLB Creative Residency Award
• Aim and Benefits of NLB Creative Residency Award
• NLB Creative Residency Award Courses
• Requirements for NLB Creative Residency Award Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for NLB Creative Residency Award
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About National Library Board Singapore

The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through our network of 28 libraries across Singapore, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. Established in 1995: Our libraries and archives promote reading, learning, information literacy, and a greater appreciation of Singapore’s history and heritage. More than 1.7 million digital resources: Our digital resources consist of eBooks, audiobooks and a plethora of online resources in NLB’s collection. 11.... continue reading

NLB Creative Residency Award

Application Deadline	31 May 2024
Country to study	Singapore
Type	Fellowship
Course to study	View courses
Sponsor	National Library Board Singapore
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of NLB Creative Residency Award

The award of the Residency is for a period of six months:

• A stipend of S$3,500 per month will be provided to help Residents meet their living and local expenses.
• In addition to the stipend, Residents will be provided with up to S$6,000 (on reimbursement basis) for the purchase of materials for the conceptualisation, or materials that are directly related to the project and/or used for the duration of the Residency.
• Residents shall be responsible for obtaining all required licenses, permits, permissions, and other authorisation to use any photographs, copyrighted materials or other property, or other rights belonging to third parties that are used for the project.

NLB Creative Residency Award Courses

• Research

Requirements for NLB Creative Residency Award Qualification

The National Library Creative Residency is open to Singapore-based creative practitioners (individuals or collectives) working in any discipline or form of expression. This includes but is not limited to visual and digital media artists, composers, musicians, designers, writers, and creatives. We also welcome inter-disciplinary creative practitioners.

Successful applicants should possess relevant research and artistic credentials or equivalent; preferably have an established record of achievement in their chosen field of research and the potential to excel further.

Interview date, Process and Venue for NLB Creative Residency Award

Applicants will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Originality and artistic merit in proposed creative work.
• A strong track record of artistic/creative achievement and production demonstrated through a portfolio of previous work and referees’ letters. For digital projects, applicant must possess the requisite skills and software to build and deliver the project independently.
• An effective concept and project plan explaining the relevance of specific library and/or archives’ collections to the project, how they will be used in developing and meeting the objectives of the creative work and residency. The proposal must be achievable within timeframe of six months.

Application Deadline

May 31, 2024

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to National Library Board Singapore on www.nlb.gov.sg to apply

Each application must include:

1. A completed application form. In providing information on academic credentials and previous experience, scanned copies of testimonials and documents are acceptable and must be attached at the time of application. If you are selected for the Residency, the original or certified copies bearing the university/company seal must be presented for verification.

2. A detailed proposal (not exceeding 10 pages, excluding references and annexes) that includes the following:

• A comprehensive outline of the proposed topic of research, including details of the NLS and/or NAS collections and resources to be used and how they are crucial to the research objectives. Please also specify if you are using materials from other sources.
• Description of the intended outcome of the project, including the form that the creative output would take, for example, painting, video, performance, script, etc., and the possible platforms (within NLB or in other contexts) where this output can be showcased.
• Key project milestones and estimated time needed for each milestone.
• How the proposed project will provide new perspectives on the NLS and/or NAS collections.

3. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) that includes the following information:

• Details of research awards or residencies previously and concurrently held.
• Details of professional seminars/conference papers/public lectures presented.
• A list of major publications and exhibitions participated in.
• Portfolio of at least five (5) projects/works that demonstrates relevance to the proposed idea.
• Details of any other past or current involvement in creative projects.

4. Reference letters from two referees that should address the following:

• The applicant’s qualifications, ability and experience.
• The quality of the applicant’s previous works.
• The applicant’s demonstrated capacity to complete projects within a reasonable time frame, and the feasibility of the project in terms of available resources and time or other constraints. 
• The applicant’s awareness of relevant available sources in NLS and/or NAS and an assessment of whether these sources are likely to support the research proposed.
• Whether the project will make a substantial contribution to knowledge in the field.

Applications should be emailed to [email protected] by 31 May 2024.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview. Notification of acceptance or rejection will be made known within five months of the closing date.

For more details visit: NLB website.