Singapore Art Museum appoints Edmund Cheng to succeed long-running chair Jane Ittogi
The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) has appointed Wing Tai Holdings’ deputy chairman Edmund Cheng to succeed Jane Ittogi as chair of the board of directors.
Cheng assumed the chair on 1 April, said the museum in a press release on Thursday (5 April).
The new chair is well known in the arts scene – he was chairman of the National Arts Council from 2005 to 2013, The Esplanade Co Ltd from 2003 to 2005, and the DesignSingapore Council from 2003 to 2008, as well as the Singapore Tourism Board from 1993 to 2001.
Ittogi, a partner at law firm Shook Lin & Bok, said in the media statement, “It’s been a wonderful journey with the team at the Singapore Art Museum, working together to put a global focus on contemporary art practices in Singapore and Southeast Asia, while continuously engaging with artists, audiences and underserved communities in the region.”
Ittogi was chair of SAM’s advisory board from 2008 when the museum was still under the National Heritage Board. She continued to serve as chair of SAM’s board of directors after its corporatisation in 2013.
Cheng said, “I appreciate the opportunity to work with the team to achieve SAM’s vision towards the development and appreciation of contemporary art at home and in the region. This shall support SAM’s growth as a distinctive arts venue dedicated to outstanding contemporary art of Singapore, Southeast Asia and the wider Asia region, in continuation of Jane Ittogi’s leadership and efforts.”
The museum announced plans for a $90 million revamp in April 2017. The revamp, which is slated for completion by 2021, includes creating spaces for large-scale art installations and a possible link bridge between SAM and its 8Q quarters. On Tuesday (3 April), SAM announced the appointment of SCDA Architects to manage the redevelopment of its buildings.
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