Syafiqah ’Adha Sallehin was named a recipient of the Young Artist Award — the nation’s highest accolade for emerging creatives under 35.
A composer, performer, and cultural connector, Syafiqah is redefining the possibilities of Malay traditional music. As co-founder of the Open Score Project, she leads a genre-fusing ensemble that blends instruments like the kompang and erhu into original works, creating bold new sounds that reflect Singapore’s multicultural identity.
She’s also working behind the scenes to ensure Malay musical heritage is preserved — by developing notation systems for traditional music, making it more accessible to modern performers and educators.
“This year’s Cultural Medallion and Young Artist Award recipients give voice to the many memories and hopes along the journey,” said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. “They help shape our collective understanding of ourselves.”
The Young Artist Award, conferred by the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and administered by the National Arts Council, is Singapore’s top national recognition for artists aged 35 and below. It honours creative professionals who show both artistic excellence and the potential to lead and shape the future of their fields.
Since its launch in 1992, it has spotlighted rising talent across music, film, literature, theatre, and visual arts — and includes a grant of S$20,000 to support the artist’s future projects and development.
Syafiqah is joined by a powerful cohort of fellow Young Artist Award recipients:
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Alvin Lee Chang Rong – filmmaker whose award-winning short Smoke Gets in Your Eyes has screened at 55+ global festivals
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Genevieve Peck Jing Yi – lighting designer known for pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling across stage genres
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He Yingshu – literary writer and critic exploring themes of gender, class, and climate in Chinese literature
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Daryl Qilin Yam – novelist and Sing Lit Station co-founder, whose work Lovelier, Lonelier is being adapted for television
“The distinguished achievements of the seven recipients today affirm the central place of the arts in our collective journey,” said Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.
Also presented at the ceremony was the Cultural Medallion — Singapore’s most prestigious award for established artists. Instituted in 1979, it recognises individuals whose lifetime work has made a lasting impact on the nation’s cultural identity.
This year’s honourees:
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Goh Boon Teck – a bilingual theatre pioneer whose iconic works like Titoudao and Glass Anatomy have toured globally
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Nai Swee Leng – Chinese ink painter and educator with over 60 years of artistic contribution and mentorship
As Singapore celebrates SG60, the awards reflect a dynamic continuum — honouring visionary legacies while empowering the next generation to shape what comes next.
