Together with the North East Community Development Council (NE CDC), Singaporean businessman Kiat Lim launched the Kiat Lim-Shaping Hearts Award today (November 20).
Lim has committed S$1 million over the next five years to help for this award, following the success of the first North East HeARTS Award earlier in April.
Shaping Hearts is an inclusive arts festival that is held annually that aims to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) through art. The original HeARTS Award provided 20 bursaries and 10 scholarships this year to PWDs, aiming to support their pursuit of higher education in the arts.
Lim’s donation will allow them to provide additional financial support and expand their reach and impact on the community, as the number of beneficiaries has tripled from 30 to up to 110 recipients annually.
Mr Desmond Choo, Mayor of the North East District, and Dr Deibby Mamahit, who is a functional health practioner and a mother of two children with Autism, were also present at the launch event.
In a fireside chat, Mr Choo expressed his passion for helping PWDs be exposed to bigger opportunities through Shaping Hearts and expressed his gratitude to Lim for his contribution to the cause.
The Kiat Lim-Shaping Hearts Award furthers our mission to break down barriers and ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to pursue their artistic passions, regardless of their financial background.
We are pleased to work with like-minded supporters like Kiat, whose involvement goes beyond monetary contribution to strategic planning. With his passion for the special needs community and access to the creative industries, we can create new opportunities and larger platforms for our talented artists.
Mr Desmond Choo, Mayor of the North East District in Singapore
All you need to know about the award
The launch event also featured the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), simultaneously opening the call for entries for the award in 2025 and inviting PWDs to submit their applications by January 31, 2025.
The Kiat Lim-Shaping Hearts Award consists of three award categories: the Encouraging Award, the Shining Award, and a new category for children under 7—the Budding Award, in which award recipients will receive a grant of S$1,000 each.
| Grant Type | Kiat Lim-Shaping Hearts Shining Award | Kiat Lim-Shaping Hearts Encouraging Award | Kiat Lim-Shaping Hearts Budding Award |
| Description | For beneficiaries (7 years old and above) who have attained a good level of art proficiency and will like to further develop their skills professionally, including but not limited to: • Learning a new art medium • Engaging a professional mentor/tutor to improve their current skills |
For beneficiaries (7 years old and above) who use art as a foundation in their daily living to express themselves and for personal development, including but not limited to: • Using art as a means of communication • Developing fine and gross motor skills • Developing social skills |
For beneficiaries (below 7 years old) who use art for early intervention to develop important daily living skills including but not limited to: • Developing fine and gross motor skills • Developing social skills |
| Each successful applicant is only allowed to apply for the award once in their lifetime. | Successful applicants for these awards are eligible to apply for the Encouragement / Budding Award once every 24 months. | ||
| Eligibility Criteria | N. A | Gross Per Capita Income of S$1,500 and below | |
| 1. Applicant must be a participant of Shaping Hearts OR residing in the North East district. 2. Applicant should be a Singapore Citizen OR Permanent Resident (must have at least 1 Singapore Citizen family member in the household) AND certified to have a permanent disability*. This includes any one of the following: • Physical Disability • Visual Impairment • Deafness • Autism Spectrum Disorder • Intellectual Disability *Any other conditions not listed will be considered on a case-by-case basis. |
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| Award Quantum | S$5,000 | S$2,000 | S$1,000 |
| Recipients | Up to 10 pax per year | Up to 50 pax per year | Up to 50 pax per year |
This is the first award that Lim has personally funded, continuing the Lim family’s philanthropic efforts dating back more than 15 years. Lim shared his aspirations for the programme, adding that art is “a universal language that transcends barriers and fosters connection.”
Through the Kiat Lim-Shaping Hearts Award, we empower children with disabilities to express their unique perspectives, achieve personal growth, and build meaningful ties with the wider community through their artistic talents. By supporting their creative journeys, we’re not just nurturing individual potential but also championing a more inclusive society—one where diverse talents are celebrated and every voice finds a platform to be heard.”
Kiat Lim, Singaporean businessman and Shaping Hearts patron
- Learn more about Shaping Hearts here.
- Read more stories we have written on Singapore startups here.
Featured Image Credit: Kiat Lim – Shaping Hearts Awards