A One-Night-Only Finale Where Art, Music, and Education Converge
Singapore, 12 September 2025 – The National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, closes its landmark exhibition Ripple Effect: The Art of Teachers of Art, with a one-night-only finissage that blends visual art, live music and the voices of Singapore’s art educators.
Held on 10 October 2025, at the NIE Art Gallery, the event would be graced by the Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Tong SC, and feature the premiere of a new composition by award winning composer and 2024 NIE Visiting Artist Mr Wang Chenwei, performed by the NIE Winds.
“As Singapore marks 60 years of independence and NIE its 75th anniversary, Ripple Effect reminds us that education and the arts are vital pillars of our nation. I commend our educators and artists for their contributions as creators and cultural stewards, nurturing creativity and resilience for Singapore’s future.” shared Minister Edwin Tong SC.
Guests will also witness the launch of the exhibition’s first official art catalogue, a celebration in print of the creativity and vision behind the showcase, featuring works by faculty from NIE’s Visual and Performing Arts Department. Many of these educators have shaped Singapore’s cultural and educational landscape, nurturing the next generation of artists and teachers.
“Ripple Effect has been a living conversation between teaching and art-making. This closing event brings the works to life once more, through music, dialogue, and the gathering of the very people whose creativity continues to ripple across classrooms and communities,” said Mr Paul Lincoln, Head of Visual & Performing Arts Department and Museum Director at the NTU Museum.
Launched on 14 August 2025 during Singapore’s 60th year of independence, Ripple Effect has offered a rare glimpse into the dual role of art educators as both creators and mentors. The works span traditional techniques to digital media, reflecting art as a way of knowing, teaching, and being.
“Ripple Effect: The Art of Teachers of Art is more than an exhibition, it is a reminder that when teachers create, they ignite curiosity and spark imagination beyond the classroom. As NIE marks its 75th anniversary, this showcase affirms the enduring power of art to inspire, to connect, and to nurture the human spirit.” shared Prof Liu Woon Chia, NIE Director.
The exhibition’s title captures the enduring influence of art educators, whose impact extends beyond the studio and classroom - inspiring dialogue, challenging perspectives, and reaffirming the arts as an integral part to education and nation-building.
Apart from the launch of the exhibition catalogue, the finissage will feature the premiere performance of a new composition ‘Leading the Future’ by 2024 Visiting Artist and composer Mr Wang Chenwei, presented by the NIE Winds.
“It is my great privilege to compose this piece for NIE Winds in celebration of the Institute’s 75th Anniversary. The title derives from NIE’s vision: ‘An Institute of Distinction: Leading the Future of Education’. My piece integrates musical elements symbolic of academia and Singapore’s Chinese, Malay and Indian heritage, akin to citations in a thesis articulated through musical notes. It pays tribute to academia through music while honouring music as an academic discipline. As ‘Leading the Future’ premieres amidst works by Singapore’s finest visual artists, I invite the audience to enjoy this confluence of visual and performing arts.” shared Mr Wang Chenwei.
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