Last week, Benson Puah wrapped up his four-year stint as chief executive of the National Arts Council. His deputy, Yvonne Tham, is filling in for the meantime as he goes back to his other job as Esplanade CEO. It’s been a pretty eventful tenure that began with the huge question mark of handling two big arts portfolios at the same time (can he do it? is there a conflict of interest?). Then he had last year’s cancer scare. Throughout, there were lots of changes, in terms of arts housing, the council’s continuous dialogue with the arts community, the Singapore Arts Festival revamp, the Venice Biennale non-participation, etc.

So how do artists rate his NAC tenure? Read on for Benson Puah’s, erm, final “report card” courtesy of some of the artists we’ve asked. From the “yay” to not exactly “nay” but something more amusing — the “huh”?

And if you want to chip in as well, feel free to email me at mayo [at] mediacorp.com.sg or post your own rating at the comments section below.

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GRADE: A. In the last 4 years, I feel that NAC has become more open to the local arts community, frequently engaging the community in active dialogue. During Benson’s tenure, NAC dared to make bold decisions and introduced creative “solutions” to long-drawn concerns, such as arts housing. Regardless of whether such decisions are successful, since their impact may only be seen many years down the road, I feel that the courage and determination to make these different kinds of decisions is important for the council. NAC occupies a “leadership role” among the local arts industry and such a spirit (of daring to make a change) is necessary. — Kuik Swee Boon, THE Dance Company

GRADE: A. For making fundamental changes and being in touch with artists (relative to past CEOs). He’s the only NAC CEO who made fundamental changes to how NAC runs. Under him, his team did numerous consultations and dialogues with the artists and the arts community. He changed the arts housing policy, reviewed the Singapore Arts Festival (took it out of NAC’s purview so it could focus on the quality of policy implementation), made changes to the grant schemes. Basically, he updated the role of NAC. Whether one agrees with his changes is another story. The fact is he did them. He’s truly a prime mover and shaker. Hopefully, the one who fills his shoes will have the guts to implement the new policies with as much guts. He was controversial in some ways: Conflict of interest, holding two portfolios (NAC and the Esplanade), centralising power, the making Esplanade arts space into a shopping centre. (Some artists who are critical of him) want nuanced readings for their work, preach multiple positions, et cetera, but they view him as establishment and therefore oppositional. — Alvin Tan, artistic director, The Necessary Stage

GRADE: A. Under his watch, I was impressed with NAC’s genuine attempt to connect with its constituents in its formulation of its new arts grants as well as other schemes. I attended a few feedback sessions and helped facilitate one of them. I think that the overhaul of the arts housing scheme is a vast improvement of the previous version. I am very impressed and grateful for this scheme and I hope it will engender great art. He will be missed but I know that Yvonne (Tham, interim CEO) is very passionate, knowledgeable as well as capable, to take over the role. — Tan Pin Pin, film-maker.

GRADE: A. I do feel as an artist I have directly benefited from his initiatives like the arts housing framework, I have access to an affordable studio which has increased my output because I don’t have to worry about money as much. And also I’m close by to many other artists which makes it easier for exchange. I would have given him “A+” if the food outlets in GAC were more affordable. — Brian Gothong Tan, artist

GRADE: Distinction With Honours. It seems that there are possibilities. several of my peers have received initial support from the council when they first quit their jobs to become full time artists. people are more courageous in becoming artists these days, although it’s not any easier. — Robert Zhao Renhui, artist

GRADE: Sometimes A-, sometimes B+. Benson had the muscle to not only hold the glass ceiling up when it was coming down, he had the strength to push it abit higher at times and even to punch holes here and there through that ceiling, allowing for much needed clarity and transparency where needed in the engagements between state and arts community. Now, if he were to stay there just abit longer, would he have been able to smash that ceiling totally? — Noor Effendy Ibrahim, artist

GRADE: B+. Good job developing government led art spaces, more support needed for ground up initiatives. — Marc Nair, poet

GRADE: B +. And maybe it would have been an “A” if rare arts industry leaders like him — who come from the creative industries and not from civil service — got to serve fuller terms, like six years, so that they can see out their vision, get to reform organisation and revision of the arts landscape. It was a good move to have someone with creative arts industry experience as CEO of an arts government agency. Would be great to see more senior management hired with same related backgrounds for the heritage and media sectors. Most appreciated are the town hall sessions and the sense of engagement, and the arts housing scheme with Goodman and Aliwal is positive. — A film-maker

Grade: B. As a public figure, I felt he gave the NAC a more personable face, though I feel the effect of big policies still did not trickle down to me. — Anonymous dance artist.

GRADE: B. He knows his facts and figures well. He may need to improve on his poetry and visual skills! — “A minor player in the arts”

GRADE: B, 65%. There was some initiatives and invitations made to have dialogues, there were several open sessions, though there could be more dialogues focusing on independent artists and follow up session. (But) in fact, it was actually during his tenure that there was an engagement with the institution. — Elizabeth de Roza, LASALLE College Of The Arts

GRADE: NONE. Hah? — Woofy, film producer

GRADE: Unrated. I can see some of his actions like the review of arts housing and the arts festival. Is it good for the arts? I don’t know. I need to see the link between the policies and the improvement of our arts offerings. And I don’t mean more, I mean art that can inspire on an international level. Maybe I am not at a level to be able to see the connections between action and results. — “Frog In The Pond”

GRADE: NONE. Erm... I’d love to give him an end-of-tenure ang pow, but seeing as the NAC never gave us a cent I figure a “Good luck!” will suffice. — Anonymous

GRADE: NONE. If it was on his role in the Esplanade, I’d have something to say. Frankly, I don’t know what he does at the NAC. — Anonymous

GRADE: NONE. I dunno who is Benson leh, really. — Award-winning filmmaker