Asia Arts and Education Council Explores “Art as Care” During Singapore Art Week 2026, Announces Best Practice Guidelines

During Singapore Art Week 2026, the Asia Arts and Education Council (AAEC) convened a cross-sector panel discussion titled Art as Care, bringing together leaders from charitable and social service organisations to explore how artistic practice can function as a meaningful and sustained form of care within community and social support frameworks.

Held at XM Gallery (X Museum) and presented as an extension of the PureView Art Foundation programme, the session shifted the conversation beyond art as exhibition or presentation. Instead, it focused on how creative engagement can be responsibly embedded within long-term community support, trauma-informed practice, and ethical service delivery.

Art Beyond Aesthetics: Care, Commitment, and Ethics

Opening the discussion, Dr. Jie Li-Elbrächter, President of AAEC, emphasised that art becomes impactful as a form of care only when it is grounded in time-based commitment, professional structures, and ethical accountability. She highlighted the importance of sustained engagement over one-off interventions when working with vulnerable communities.

The panel was moderated by Letian Elbrächter, Co-founder of PureView, and featured representatives from three organisations actively working at the intersection of art, care, and community service:

• HCSA Community Services, represented by Daniel Chew, Group Head of Sustainability and Partnerships
• The Red Pencil (Singapore), represented by Sim Siew Ching, General Manager
• Rotary Club of Singapore, represented by Dr. Siew Luen Chan, former President

Addressing Safeguarding and Sustainability

Panellists discussed critical considerations surrounding art-based care initiatives, including safeguarding measures, the importance of maintaining clinical and professional boundaries in creative and expressive therapies, and the challenges of sustaining community-based care models beyond institutional settings.

The dialogue highlighted the need for clear frameworks to ensure that creative programmes are not only impactful but also safe, ethical, and supportive for both participants and practitioners.

Towards Best Practices in Art-Based Care

Concluding the session, AAEC announced its intention to develop a Best Practice Checklist for art-based care initiatives. The upcoming framework aims to support responsible collaboration between artists, charities, and social service organisations, providing practical guidance to ensure ethical standards, accountability, and long-term effectiveness.