Six youth practitioners have been recognised for their dedication to preserving and promoting Singapore’s living heritage at the inaugural Outstanding Youth in Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Award 2025.
Organised by the National Heritage Board, the award ceremony took place on 18 March 2026, shining a spotlight on a new generation of heritage advocates contributing to Singapore’s diverse cultural traditions.
Celebrating Youth in Living Heritage
The awards were presented by David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, to young practitioners across a wide range of ICH fields. These included traditional art forms such as Chinese puppetry, Dikir Barat, Indian dance, and the craft of rattan-making.
Beyond recognising skill and passion, the award also highlights leadership and community engagement among youths who are actively keeping these traditions alive.
Each recipient received a trophy and certificate, along with access to a project grant of up to S$20,000. The grant can be used over three years to support further training, development and initiatives aimed at sustaining and revitalising their respective heritage practices.
Investing in the Future of Heritage
First introduced in 2025, the Outstanding Youth in ICH Award complements the existing Stewards of ICH Award. It focuses on individuals aged 35 and below who not only demonstrate mastery of their craft but also show strong leadership and commitment to community outreach.
The initiative was developed following feedback from heritage stakeholders, who emphasised the importance of nurturing younger practitioners to ensure the continuity of traditional knowledge and skills. Recognising youth contributions, they noted, can inspire more young people to take an active interest in cultural heritage.
A Growing Platform for Cultural Preservation
Moving forward, the Outstanding Youth in ICH Award will be held biennially alongside the Stewards of ICH Award. The next round of nominations is expected to open in the first half of 2027, with a joint award ceremony later that year.
By bringing together both emerging and experienced practitioners, the awards aim to strengthen Singapore’s heritage community and celebrate the shared commitment to preserving its rich intangible cultural traditions.
