Associate Dean of Students' Message

Welcome to the SMU Arts Fest 2025!

“2560”. These numbers hold a special meaning for both SMU and Singapore, as 2025 marks SMU’s 25th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th birthday. This shared milestone year presents a rare and powerful moment to reflect on how our institution and our nation have grown together – bold, young, and forward-looking – and to celebrate the spirit of innovation, resilience, and community that defines both SMU and Singapore.
 
For the first time in the history of the Singapore Night Festival, we are bringing together youth talents from ALL eight Singapore universities on one stage on Campus Green. You can look forward to several collaborative performances, including a penta-university street dance item! 
 
This is the third consecutive year of collaboration – first with Singapore Heritage Board and currently with Heritage.SG – as an anchor of the Singapore Night Festival. Our goal has been to bring youth-centric entertainment / placemaking to the precinct. Last year, over 14,000 attendees enjoyed our student performances on Campus Green: 68% of them were from the general public and 52% were aged 19-24, making our collaboration truly the youth epicentre of the festival. 
 
To celebrate SMU25, this year’s SMU Arts Fest will feature five productions over six weeks. It will close with SMU’s first original musical – MAD! MAD the Musical has been co-created with top local theatre practitioners such as George Chan, Jo Tan and Andy Benjamin Cai. Based on a little-known history of our grounds, the musical will feature four original songs written by Jimmy Ye.  The cast will feature undergrads, alumni, and staff! 
 
Over the years, the SMU Arts Fest showcases the creativity of SMU students and the vibrancy of SMU’s student life.  The items curated for your enjoyment this year are the work of 300 SMU undergraduates, 20 SMU alumni, 160 non-SMU youths, and 11 SMU arts clubs. Collectively, their creative expressions show how enriching one’s involvement in the arts and co-curricular activities can be.
 
May I wish you a very enjoyable and memorable time at the SMU Arts Fest!

Warmly,
Mark Chong, PhD
Associate Dean of Students
Professor of Communication Management (Practice)
Area Coordinator, Communication Management
Singapore Management University