SINGAPORE — Three of Singapore’s respected artists are set to receive the Cultural Medallion (CM) at the National Arts Council’s annual Arts Awards tomorrow night (Oct 16) at the Istana. They are: Theatre director Alvin Tan, pioneering sculptor Chong Fah Cheong and poet-writer KTM Iqbal.

They will be honoured at an awards ceremony where the CM will be conferred by President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

Tan, 51, is the founder and artistic director of theatre company The Necessary Stage. He has also been the recipient of France’s Chevalier des Arts et Letters in 2010 and Singapore’s Young Artist Award in 1998. Chong, 68, is considered one of the country’s pioneering sculptors and is most known for his public sculptures such as those beside the Singapore River. Iqbal, 74, is a prolific writer who has published seven poetry collections and over 200 children’s songs for Radio Singapore in the `70s and `80s. He received the prestigious Southeast Asia Write Award in 2001.

Apart from the CM recipients, five artists will also receive the Young Artist Award. They are: Theatre and television actress Siti Khalijah Zainal, 29; classical music composer Chen Zhangyi, 30; theatre practitioner Ian Loy, 34; film-maker Jow Zhi Wei, 31; and THE Dance Company founding member Lee Mun Wai, 32. They will be receiving the award from Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong.

The CM and YAA recipients will be eligible for grants to further their practice (S$80,000 and S$20,000, respectively).