The Singapore Prize recognises exceptional designers, students and design practices that showcase innovation and human-centric approach to solving problems. The Prize also raises awareness for the region and celebrates its strategic role of Singapore at the heart of a dynamic Southeast Asia. The award will do away with specific entry categories which separate students, professionals and corporates, in favour of a more holistic and inclusive approach towards the design community.
This year, six projects were recognised in the P*DA 2023 Design of the Year categories. Their outstanding designs demonstrate a genuine sense of purpose and mission that is aligned to the core values of P*DA. These include tackling fundamental and systemic issues like consumerism and circularity, dementia and caregiving, as well as climate change and sustainability.
A team of eminent judges from various fields of knowledge selected the winners. The jury includes academics from SUSS and Autonomous Universities, distinguished writers and critics, and publishers. The winning project will receive a cash prize of S$30,000, an engraved plaque, and a feature article in the Singapore Prize website. In addition, short-listed entries will be promoted to a wider audience through a range of marketing channels.
In the 2022 edition of this biennial award, a total of 43 writers were shortlisted across 12 categories in Chinese, Malay, and English. Among the winners are Suratman Markesan (Honing the Pen, Volume 2) and Wang Gungwu (Home is Where We Are Going), who became the oldest winners at 91 and 92 years old respectively. Their stories focus on history from the layperson’s perspective, showing what events meant to ordinary people.
Another big winner this year is Scott Vincent, who picked up a cheque of over $1 million for his fourth-place finish in the LIV Golf Singapore tournament. It was his most lucrative week as a professional. Here’s the full list of prize money payout for all players in the tournament.
The Singapore Prize is the world’s first and only public prize awarded to individuals, teams, or organisations for outstanding innovations that improve lives, protect our planet, and make our society a better place. It is funded by the government and awarded by a panel of judges, including academics from SUSS and other autonomous universities. The competition was established in 1969 by Singapore Pools as a way to help raise funds for the construction of Singapore’s first national stadium. Each ticket cost $1 back then.
The award was created in honour of Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew. The prize was previously known as the National Arts Council Art Awards and has been renamed to reflect its new purpose. It is the highest accolade for the arts in Singapore and is a symbol of the country’s commitment to the arts. The first winner of the prize was painter Eu Yan Sang, who received the award in 1973 for his work ‘The Journey of the White Tiger’. Since then, a total of 50 artists have been recognised for their works through the award.