THE Ngee Ann Kongsi is doing its bit for the next generation of Singapore's dancers, artists and musicians with a $12 million gift to pay for scholarships at the country's first national pre-tertiary arts school.

Yesterday, its president, MrTeo Chiang Long, presented the donation to the School of the Arts, which opened this year.

For a start, the money, one of the charity's biggest educational donations, will be used to fund eight scholarships and 49 bursaries this year. The donation will be disbursed over six years.

The foundation, which has its own cultural centre and supports arts events, said it wants to help students 'fulfil their creative potential and aspirations'.

It hopes to nurture not only artists and creative professionals, but also leaders in other fields who will benefit from a strong foundation in the arts, it added in a statement.

The Teochew philanthropic foundation is not the only one furthering the cause of the arts. The Singapore Indian Education Trust also launched two scholarships for students at the arts school.

The scholarships, valued at $4,800 to $6,400 a year, are for students with outstanding artistic talent, good grades and strong leadership potential.

Yesterday, the guest of honour at the event, Minister for Information, Communications and the ArtsLee Boon Yang, said he hoped the donations will spur more groups to step forward to support the school.

The school, which has 238 students, offers a six-year integrated arts and academic curriculum for 13- to 18-year-olds. It leads to an international baccalaureate diploma.

The school was started to enhance Singapore's credentials as a cultural hub.

Instead of having the usual speech day, the school decided to have an awards day to showcase the talents of its students, said its principal, MsRebecca Chew. Parents and guests were treated to performances by harpist Nicolette Chin and Indian classical dancer Iswarya Jayakumar.

One of the scholarship winners, Germaine Gan, 13, stood out for her strong showing in ballroom dancing contests.

The scholarship means her parents 'do not need to worry about fees, which are quite expensive', she said.

Another winner, ballerina Ma Yue Ru, 15, said she had no regrets repeating Secondary 2 so as to study at the school, which admitted only first- and second-year students this year.

'For the first few months, I was feeling apprehensive and not sure if I had made the right decision. But now, I feel the atmosphere is very cosy and it's a good learning environment.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Apr 5, 2008.