The Substation is Singapore’s pioneering non-profit arts development platform for independent creative practitioners, founded in 1990 by dramatist & Cultural Medallion recipient, the late Kuo Pao Kun.

Our continuing work is made possible by the belief and dedication of like-minded practitioners and generous supporters from individual donors, private foundations, government agencies, corporate sponsors, collaborative partners, and passionate volunteers.

Formerly housed in the conservation site of a disused power substation on Armenian Street until the building’s much-needed renovations in 2021, The Substation serves as ‘A Home for the Arts’ for countless artists, performers, curators, producers, writers and intellectuals—many of whom continue to shape our creative landscape across a diverse range of disciplines from theatre and performance art to music, literary arts, fine arts, film, design, dance, curation, arts management, and related fields. In various stages of their early careers, at least 100 Artists-in-Residence, 13 Cultural Medallion winners, 10 President’s Young Talents Award winners, 20 Young Artist Award recipients, and Singapore Pavilion artists at the Venice Biennale have previously passed through our doors to develop their work as then emerging artists.

Today, The Substation has transitioned from its past venue hire function and evolved into an arts company focusing on its core ethos: to keep the independent spirit alive and further its founding mission for artist development, critical dialogue, and unexpected discovery in collaborative community—a safe ‘space’ for the alternative and exploratory, for first-starts and re-starts, and for the unknown and untried.

The company remains a non-profit registered charity with an Institute of Public Character (IPC) status. Donors benefit from a 250% tax deduction for all qualifying donations.

Support the mission of The Substation beyond physical walls to develop and spotlight independent creative practitioners at every stage of their career by making a donation or purchasing tickets to our events.

The Substation | Singapore

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