NTUC First Campus (NFC) and National Gallery Singapore (NGS) have formalised their decade-long partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), strengthening their shared commitment to making meaningful arts experiences an integral part of early childhood education.

The MOU marks NGS’s first formal partnership with a preschool operator. It will deepen collaboration in four key areas: arts and culture education, educator professional development, family engagement initiatives, and authentic learning platforms such as student showcases.

Under the partnership, children will continue to experience the arts through a structured learning journey that begins with visits to the Gallery, where they engage with artworks firsthand through guided observation and discussion. Back in the classroom, educators build on these experiences through inquiry-based conversations and creative activities, culminating in showcases where children present their own artworks inspired by pieces from the National Collection.

Educators will also benefit from the Gallery’s workshops, equipping them with strategies to integrate art-based inquiry into classroom practice. These training sessions are officially recognised under NFC’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses.

Families are also encouraged to be part of the journey through conversations sparked by the artworks children bring home and by celebrating their children’s learning at showcase events.

Picture One Artwork!

The MOU was signed at Picture One Artwork! 2026, the culmination of a months-long arts learning journey for more than 2,200 children from 40 My First Skool centres. This year’s theme, My Friendship Stories, invited preschoolers to reflect on friendship, kindness and belonging through creative expression. Inspired by Children of the Sun by Singapore artist Khoo Sui Hoe, children created original artworks that captured their own experiences and perspectives, demonstrating that there are many ways to interpret an artwork and tell a story through art.

Throughout the programme, children were encouraged to share ideas and listen to one another’s perspectives, and learned to express themselves with confidence. The showcase also gave families the opportunity to celebrate their children’s creativity, with around 1,200 children and parents participating this year.

“Our decade-long partnership with National Gallery Singapore has demonstrated how arts and cultural experiences beyond the classroom can deepen children’s curiosity, confidence and creativity. By formalising this partnership, we are building on a strong foundation to bring even richer learning experiences to more children, while strengthening collaboration in educator development and family engagement,” said Justin Ang, Chief Executive Officer, NTUC First Campus.

Dr Eugene Tan, Chief Executive Officer and Director of National Gallery Singapore, said: “At the Gallery, we believe that early encounters with art help children build empathy, express their emotions, and develop critical thinking – laying the foundation for lifelong appreciation of art and learning. This is why we are excited to deepen our partnership with NTUC First Campus to create more opportunities for children, educators, and families to engage meaningfully with art. As a People’s Museum, this collaboration reflects our commitment to creating a welcoming space where everyone can experience and connect with art.”

Looking ahead

Building on the success of the partnership, NFC and the Gallery will continue expanding opportunities for children, educators and families to experience the arts in meaningful ways.

Over time, both organisations hope to extend more collaborative programmes across the wider NTUC First Campus family, including all 166 My First Skool and 14 Little SkoolHouse preschool centres, so that even more children can benefit from arts and cultural experiences during their early years.

Media coverage:

Lianhe Zaobao Online (24 July 2026)