Performance arts need not just serve as entertainment – it can also be used as a platform for a cause. At least, that is the vision of NTU’s Cultural Activities Club (NTU CAC), using their Arts from the Heart (AFTH) special project to raise awareness for various charities.
The 2019 edition was a two-day event at Bugis+ supporting the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) and AFTH strove to further not only SCS’s cause, but also an appreciation of the arts through performances put up by the member clubs and SCS cancer survivors.
Student volunteers also served as ambassadors, alongside the SCS team, to answer questions and clear misconceptions about cancer.
There was also an all-new audience participation segment for the public to contribute in the Crane For Hope segment. A first for AFTH, members of the public were encouraged to fold origami cranes and drop them into a 3D structure of the letters “H-O-P-E”, as a show of solidarity with cancer battlers. The team managed to garner sponsorship of $2 for each crane folded and at the end of the carnival, a lump sum was donated to SCS. AFTH will continue partnering with SCS in 2020, with plans for the next event taking in positive elements from this year’s and ramping up publicity efforts.
As part of the organising committee, I get to do the two things I love (arts and charity) with a bunch of dedicated and compassionate people. From planning, to building the whole carnival event with our own hands from scratch, to execution on the event days itself, it has been a fulfilling one year spent. Belynn Sim, Programmer
About Arts From The Heart
NTU Cultural Activities Club (CAC) is one of the four largest student organisations in NTU and was set up to nurture the artistic talents of NTU and promote a vibrant campus with performing arts and cultural activities. It has attained considerable popularity and recognition from the public as a staunch advocate of the performing arts.
Established since 2004, AFTH is the charity arm of the NTU CAC. The vision is to help the less fortunate in the society and promote the Arts through performances by their 23 CAC member clubs. They also hope to reach out to the general public to increase awareness about their beneficiaries and fundraise for them.
