Tisch School of the Arts Asia Launches Singapore Campus

By Richard Pierce

The Tisch School of the Arts Asia officially opened in Singapore in early October with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception, which included a tour of the new three-acre campus. Tisch Asia is the first-ever branch campus of the Tisch School, and it is also the first American arts school to set up residence in Singapore.

Tisch Asia’s inaugural class of 33 graduate film students began their studies in September, with more than half the students coming from the United States and others from Australia, Europe, Asia, and Central America. In 2008, Tisch Asia will also begin offering M.F.A. degrees in animation and digital arts and in dramatic writing.

“This still-new century will require a new model for higher education,” said President John Sexton. “The opening of NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia is important on several levels. It is another important step in creating a global network of NYU students, scholars, and educational sites. It ties NYU to Singapore, which—like New York—seems certain to emerge as one of the 21st century’s ‘idea capitals,’ which will be characterized in part by the presence of top institutions of higher education. And it is a bold and exciting new partnership in a crucial and dynamic region of the world, one that will draw excellent students from Asia and elsewhere to study in its world-class graduate film program, animation track, and dramatic writing courses.”

“We can’t imagine a more ideal location for us than in Singapore amidst its cultural diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, rich history, and teeming community of artists,” said Mary Schmidt Campbell, Tisch dean and chairman of the board of directors, Tisch Asia. “We are thrilled not only to be here but also that Tisch Asia will play a role in helping Singapore become a regional and global media center.”

Also speaking at the event were Lee Yi Shyan, minister of state for trade and industry, Republic of Singapore; Pari Shirazi, Tisch vice dean and president, Tisch Asia; and Diane C. Yu, chief of staff and deputy to the president, NYU.

Among the guests were members of the Tisch Asia board of directors, including Jennie Chua, chairman, Singapore Film Commission, and president and chief executive officer, The Ascott Group, Ltd.; Richard Vague, Tisch Dean’s Council member; and Eric Khoo, filmmaker.
Centrally situated on three acres in a lush tropical setting, the Tisch Asia campus has administrative and classroom facilities located at 3 Kay Siang Road. The school’s 40,000-square-foot building, a former television production center, underwent a $12 million renovation overseen by Ip:li Architects in collaboration with CPG Corporation, a leading design consultant for education facilities in the Asia Pacific region.

The new building has the same state-of-the-art technology and production facilities found on the New York campus, including two studios, two raked 50-seat theatres capable of 35mm and video projection, editing labs, a script and film library, and three flat classrooms as well as administration and faculty offices.