Capability Development Grant
The NAC Capability Development (CD) Grant encourages and supports continuous professional development of people working in Singapore's arts and culture sector. The grant covers training activities or programmes up to 12 consecutive months, supporting both professional training/skills development and on-the-job training. This grant is part of NAC's comprehensive support framework for the arts sector, updated with enhanced funding rates from April 2022. Key changes in December 2024 include updated submission deadlines, eligibility criteria, training allowance rates, and financial reporting requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
- 01
Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents working in Singapore's arts and culture sector
- 02
Individuals and organisations seeking professional development in arts and culture
- 03
Training activities or programmes up to 12 consecutive months duration
How to Apply
1. Review updated guidelines from 14 December 2024 2. Prepare training proposal and budget 3. Submit application through NAC portal 4. Await evaluation and approval notification
Claims and Disbursement
Claims process follows NAC standard procedures with milestone-based disbursement and progress reporting requirements as specified in the award letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional training/skills development and on-the-job training for people working in Singapore's arts and culture sector.
Training activities or programmes up to 12 consecutive months.
Updated deadline for submission of project deliverables, eligibility/ineligibility criteria, Training Allowance and Absentee Payroll rates.
Up to 90% funding cap (enhanced from 15 April 2022).
Related Grants
Presentation and Participation (P&P) Grant
National Arts Council
Individuals & Non-Profit: Up to 70%, cap $50,000/FY (Publishing: $100,000/FY); For-Profit: Up to 50%, cap $50,000/FY; First EP: Up to $10,000 once-off
The NAC Presentation and Participation (P&P) Grant enables a wide range of arts practitioners and organisations to express and enrich artistic diversity, increase arts appreciation and participation in Singapore. The grant supports music EPs, publishing, exhibitions/performances, and festivals/conferences via physical and/or digital means. The P&P Grant offers different funding structures depending on the type of project and organisation type, with special provisions for publishing and music EP projects. Updated guidelines from December 2024 include revised financial reporting and submission requirements.
Major Company Scheme
National Arts Council
70% of qualifying costs (standardised across all tracks)
The National Arts Council's Major Company Scheme supports the professional and artistic development of registered arts organisations that represent excellence in their core mission. Major Companies play an important role in the collective efforts of the arts sector, community, and Government to grow a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem in Singapore. The refreshed Major Company Scheme, introduced in FY2025, consolidates the previous three tracks (Artmaking, Bridging, and Intermediary) into a single unified scheme. Assessment is based on Artistic/Programme Excellence, Active Engagement of Stakeholders, and Organisational Capacity. Funding is prioritised for companies demonstrating efforts in Community Building, Capability Development, and Collaboration.
Tote Board Arts Fund
National Arts Council
Assessed per project (no fixed cap). Applicants may concurrently seek funding from Arts Fund and other NAC grants for the same project.
The Tote Board Arts Fund is an initiative of the Singapore Totalisator Board, managed by a committee appointed by the National Arts Council (NAC). It provides support to local artists and arts groups in bringing the arts to communities and creating shared experiences for people to connect with one another. The fund aims to make the arts accessible to wider audiences while fostering social connections. The Arts Fund supports projects across multiple art forms including music, dance, theatre, musical theatre, multi-disciplinary performances, visual arts exhibitions (including photography), and literary arts events such as readings and poetry performances. Projects must demonstrate a well-designed approach to fulfilling social outcomes related to community building, national identity, and appreciation of the arts.
Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS)
SkillsFuture Singapore
Up to 90% of course fees for CET Centre courses, up to 70% for other certifiable courses, plus $4.50/hour Absentee Payroll (capped $100,000/year)
The Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS) helps small and medium enterprises build stronger, more capable teams without the heavy costs usually tied to training. By offering higher course fee subsidies, ETSS eases both the financial and operational burden of sending staff for training. As part of SkillsFuture Singapore's suite of support for businesses, ETSS empowers companies to upskill their workforce and stay competitive across industries. ETSS provides up to 90% course fee subsidies for eligible certifiable courses, making training affordable by covering course fees and giving SMEs access to a wide range of eligible courses. This is an enhanced subsidy layered on top of the baseline subsidy that all locally-registered businesses receive. The enhanced subsidy applies to Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and LTVP+ holders employed by qualifying SMEs.
Market and Audience Development (MAD) Grant
National Arts Council
Non-Profit: Up to 70% of budget, cap $70,000/FY; For-Profit: Up to 50% of budget, cap $70,000/FY; Airfare/Freight: Up to 100% (3 travel grants/FY)
The NAC Market and Audience Development (MAD) Grant supports activities to build audiences, patrons and supporters to complement artistic efforts at home and abroad. The grant covers marketing initiatives, branding, market research, international touring, and participation in international festivals. The MAD Grant provides different funding rates for non-profit and for-profit organisations, with special provisions for international travel support. Updated guidelines from December 2024 include revised submission deadlines and eligibility criteria.
Company-Led Training Programme (CLT)
Infocomm Media Development Authority
Full salary support for up to 12 months during training
IMDA's Company-Led Training (CLT) programme is designed to accelerate the professional development of fresh professionals, mid-career professionals and mature PMETs in the tech and media sectors. It provides on-the-job training to equip trainees with competencies for jobs in demand by industry, especially those supporting digital economy sector transformation efforts. The programme covers in-demand job roles in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Infrastructure, Product Development, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Virtual Production and more. Trainees gain employment and receive a salary while being equipped with in-demand tech and media skills, working on projects guided by experienced mentors.